The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-06-11

onsly In earnest.
But you don't care for details. III
none but the brave deserve the fair |
have at least earned the trophy | shall
henccforth wear SO proudly on my breast. y
Before Fred returned from the country,
| was ON the Atlantic. | had again be-
hayed In acowardly manner, and deserted
my colors when a vigorous movement on
my own part, instead Of resulting so,
would have had decided contrary result.
But | was both blind and stupid.
could neither see nor understand what
had taken place. nor how il all tended 10
my advantage did | but follow itup. That
knowledge did not come TO me till many
months afterward.
On the water, and pressed to the hrim
with work, | had supposed should forget
the little country girl, and return heart
whole from the European trip had been
commissioned 10 take by the house In
which was engaged; but every day only
added 10 the intensity ef my suffering.
and finally the longing felt must forever
be unreazed became 80 much part OF
my existence that even sunlight began TO
take it, hnes from the half ripened orange.
But the exigencies OF the business | was
transacting demanded my continued stay,
and levied such tax ON my mental capa-
cities that soon began 10 look on my
trouble as annoying, but not serious, and
as though callus had grown over IL, and
no pain would result from IL unless vio-
lent strain were brought 10 bear upon IT,.
Then disaster came and the house sud-
denly failed. leaving me adrift and was
offered an adyal tageous position in for
eign house. member of which, | was
courteously informed. had conserved the
mastery manner in which had managed
the affairs OF the branch which had been
entrusted to me"
So, of course. II transpired that did not
return 10 my native land that autumn, nor
the next, norm fact. il was three years
from the time | left for Europe before |
returned. | landed in the middle OF Au-
gust, last summer, and at once began To
hunt up old cronies. by aid of memory
and directories. But had no luck. Fred
could get no track of. only that he had
just returned from European trip but
where he might be at that particular time
was uncertain. All for whom | cared in
the city were out of town for the warm
weather, or else where | could not readily
find them, and began 10 think had been
fool 10 come across the water at so UNI
propitious a time. My own immediate
family found, on inquiry. Were stopping
for a few weeks az a remote place. twenty
miles or more beyond the little valley
where Fred and | had sumnered three
years before. and toward that point
turned my face.
just before sunset the train made a halt
at the little village overlooking the valley
where | had met my fate. and where the
last time had seen Fred be was engaged
in making sketch of the valley, hardly
taking his eve from the canvas 10 bid me
his CHEEKY goodbye. For some reason
the train was delayed a few moments, and,
as gazed over the valley, the old feeling
of three years before was instantly sufging
and swaying in nay breast; and before the
train was again in motion | stood upon
the rude coun:rv-station platform. unable
10 resist the force impelling me there.
thinking could pursue my Journey next
day "a well as this.
After the train had departed, and OBJ
served the carious country eyes scanning
nv singular movements. suddenly real
lied my awk ward position. and wondered
what TO do. Mechanically | stTolled to-
ward the spot Fred had chosen for his
underground to view the valley. Little
change was visible. The sunset colors
were less vivid, and consequently the
shadow over the valley was less somber-
a much more pleasing picture; and yet |
could not help feeling that the somber
shadow wa. over my heart instead.
I aimlessly followed the winding road
into the valley. descending az every 81, p
/ farther and father into the shadow: vet
my soul into its own shadow plunged
more rccklessly still, the gloom surround
1 ing il seeming almost sullen in its in
tensity.
Suddenly it grew lighter. What did il
presage. a large cumuluIs of cloud had
drifted into the range of the suns rays,
and caught the splendor. sending them
down to the earth In glow of reflection.
II my own soul could drift into such a
volume Of lighr.r | thought. bitterly, and
walked slowly onward.
What MARI elous shapes the clouds take
at times This one, and smaller ones
drifting with and counter TO IL. suddenly
took the shape of huge anchor, seeming
to me. in my shortened vision, CLEAN OF
mighty irony glowing with false glim'
/ mer.
SO intent was my gaze bent heaven.
ward that did not observe figure i'm.
mediatey in front OF me, emerging from
the valley. liz was female figure. and
hastily stepped on one side 10 allow her 10
pass. hardly Withdrawing my gaze from
the heavens. The moment she had passed,
in obedience to sudden impulse. turned
my head to see hers also turned to OBJ
serve me. The light from the cloud OF
hope shone full in her face. and started
at the recognition. Was my soul. then.
drifting as yonder cloud had done? Was
this thrill that bathed 1t i'm pathos the
light. indeed. that warns and glorifies all
IL shines on-or WIS il but mocking
irony.
Miss Perry" / exclaimed. Z" this is a
rare pleasure"
She advanced in the same shy manner a.
Of old, and held out her hand in the old
coy style.
Twas ii you, then, was to meet at the
stationT she asked.