Middletown transcript., 1876-04-01

is a true gentleman. and in his famil!
sm sure you will be able to find tn
society you hoped to 6nd in me-"
They bowed and parted, for up tn
path was coming the old woman VIII
had once so reluctantly admitted tn
young man to Vernon cottage. Captain
Bertrand started for the botel. deter
mined, that on the morrow he would
seek Mr.. Morton. and establish BIZ
character with that gentleman.
..She must not die" be whispered
hopefully. Il will win the poor, tired
heart, if human kindness may"
Day after day saw the captain at Mr.
Morton's house He made friends with
the old gentleman and his pretty, lively
girls, ,ut they soon saw what Elsie did
not-that his "business in the village
was to please her. The weeks rolled
on. Every day Elsie, interested and
amused as she had not been for many
years. grew better 10 health and spirits,
until the captain thought it was impos'
sible for her to be more beautiful or de-
sirable They drove or walked every
day, when Elsie could bear it, and the
young girl wondered how she should
ever be able to bear her loneliness when
the captain. his mission ended and visit
over, should return to his northern
home.
One morning Elsie sat in her low
chair on the piazza, sewing some tri6e.
and reading from book open at her
knee
"lnto each life some rain must fall y
Alas when shall / have the sunshine p
she whispered. softly. Then. locking
up she saw Albert Bertrand coming up
the gravelled walk. and added. "Therc
is one ray for me now!"
"Ah! Miss Elsie." be exclaimed.
"you are growing rosy, and | know it
is owing to our walks. Will you not
take one more with me? 1t will per-
haps be the last. for I have had letter
calling me home"
A startled cry was hushed in Elsie's
throat, and she answered calmly
II am very sorry Yes, will walk
with you"
Taking up her hat, they started across
the field toward pretty grove near by.
where was one Of their favorite walks
Elsie talked constantly, in order to gain
time. fearing be would speak Of his de-
parture. When they reached the grove.
she seated herself at the foot Of a favor
lite tree, and the young "an, throwing
himself beside her, exclaimed,-
II want to remember this picture
this charming grove and silvery stream
with its mossy bank, but, above all.
you, my little friend. with your flushed
cheeks and golden hair, bewitchingly
curled by the wind and your walk"
Elsie flushed deeper than before. but
changing his jesting tone, the young
man said:
wish to ask your advice, Miss Elsie.
am in love, and cannot find out whe-
ther the young lady returns my affec-
tion. She is fair, and kind and sweet,
but she is so to all
Elsie's heart beat fast and joyously,
for something in his look and tone told
her whom be loved.
"Well," he continued, II have loved
her so long-three years"-Elsie felt
faint and sick-"and in all this time l
have never dreamed of another 1t
seems now as if. after having had her
SO long in my heart, could not give
her up. What would you do in my
case. Miss Elsie?"
BY this time Elsie bad concluded
that Captain Bertrand had loved long
before be ever met her. and, though in
wardly wounded, her woman's heart
helped her to answer calmly.
s'Do not make confidant of me, my
friend, but bravely ask the lady your
self. She is the only person to hear
your love story!"
Her voice slightly trembled, and the
captain. looking up, saw that she did
not understand. Drawing the picture
from bis pocket, he said,-
Here. Elsie, is the face of her l
love. 1t has been near my heart ever
since the day your voice FIRST fell 30
sweetly on my ear"
Then, seeing the surprise, followed
by dawning love and joy in her face,
he could say no more. but drew her
closely to the heart which would ever
more cherish and protect her.
So the North and the South kissed
each other
There was a "union Of hearts, a
union of hands, union which none e'er
may sever" and Elsie Vernon again
became the happy mistress Of her vine
clad cottage, with Captain Bertrand as
its master A visitor at their hospita-
BILE home. few years later, might have
seen the old black .'mammy" following
about the neatly shaven lawn two little
curly-heads, bright boy and girl.
whose noisy laughter and merriment
rang out like joy-bells to gladden. the
hearts of their fond and doting parents.