The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-06-15


presence is sunshine, and her merry
laugh rippled like the music of dancing
waters in the pebbly brcoklet. The
student of human nature who heard that
laugh would uhhesitatingly declare that
only heart of native purity and gentle
ness could underlie it.
At first Della Grayson, when she saw
that Paul Renford was weak and de-
jected, sought to cheer and entertain
him. She had heard the story of his
great loss, and she pitied him. She
played for him upon the harp and upon
the piano, and she sung to him, and
talked with him. But by-and-bye, when
he had grown strong and vigorous, and
when his innate manhood had mani
tested itself, she grew shy and taciturn,
and finally sought to avoid him.
And then, for the first time In his
life, Paul knew what true love was. For
the first time he experienced that sense
of devotion which leads the heart to
offer itself upon the altar of faith in the
woman loved. He asked Mr.. Grayson
if he might seek his daughters love.
The overseer did not object.
And Delia2 Had Paul been as versed
in reading the human heart in its native
truth as he had been in translating the
siren song of fattery, he might have
known that the love of the beautiful
girl was all his own.
So, when Paul Renford had been a
year at Wildwood, Della became his
wife, and he WIS happy-happier far
than he had ever been. And he was ad-
vanced in the mills from a clerkship to q
responsible agency; and thus he had
frequent occasion to visit the city; but
there was nothing in its din and glare
attractive to him, and he always came
home with deeper and more abiding
love for his own fond hearthstone at
Wildwood.
During the first year of Paul's mar
riage a branch railroad was opened to
Wildwood, and thus they were within
an houl of the city,. and the mill prop
erty was greatly enhanced in value.
"Ah," said the young man one day,
as he stood upon the piazza of his cot
tage, and looked off upon the rolling
landscape of hill and dale that stretched
away beyond the river, IF 1 only own
ed that sweep of land !"
q" 1t is certainly pleasant prospect, F."
said his Uncle Betterman, who had
come up to pay him visit.
"Aye," added Paul, "and how it
must increase in value now that the rail
has opened this way"
At this juncture Della came ont and
called them in to tea. She took Uncle
Anson by the arm, and told him he was
her prisoner. And he bent over and
KlCSpG hn n
blessed imprisonment.
"Don't you find it so, Paul2"
I" it is heaven where she isp was
Paul's answer. ...
And upon that she left Uncle Anson,
and threw her arms about her husbands $
neck.
I" Dear Paul you are blessing to
me I"
Shortly afterward the old merchant
said to his nephew:
"Paul, do you ever find yourself long
ing for the old life in the city9"
"Does the saved mariner look back
With longing upon the fearful death he
has escaped. and willingly return to
storm and wreck 2"
81 think not, my boy"
"And can q man, in his full sense,
long for the dazzle and glare of the
empty life that brings only pain aud un-
rest, when bright spirit like this holds
watch and ward for him over an earthly
heayen2"
He held his wife by the hand as he
spoke, and his eye was radiant with
light supernal.
1t was on the following day-a beau
tiful day in early autumn-that Paul
and Della walked out upon the gentle
hill that sloped up from the cottage.
And again he looked off upon the grand
spread of landscape beyond the river.
"Ah," he said, elf owned that land
I would do great work, Della"
What would you do ?" asked voice
behind him.
Paul turned and beheld his uncle.
"If you owned that land, what would
you do with it?"
81 would make it bloom with life |"
replied the youth, eloquent!y. Think,
now that the rail is laid, how near it is
to the city. Think of the toilers there
who might find light and comfort in
these healthful shades. If owned that
land, would invite capital to open it to
the life that ought to occupy it. 1
would lay out streets, and portion off
lots for dwellings,, each with its garden I;
and I would call it The Eden of Wild
wood"
"And suppose you had the capital of
your own, my ooy 2"
"The Eden of Wildwood should be
verify"
A shadow passed over the old mans
face, and then came shining light.
He reached out and took his nephew's
hand.
"Paul, the capital is yours-the land
is yours!"
Paul would have laughed if his uncle
had not looked go solemnly upon him
while he spoke. AS it was, he simply
exhibited bewilderment.
81 heard you express an earnest wish
to own the land, and secured it for you,"
continued Betterman.
"Uncle This is serious Jest"
"It is no jest, Paul. In one word
Porter Lovett has returned"
"Lovett returned /"
"Yes-and your fortune is safe."
Paul Renford was not sure that he
was in his waking senses. His uncle
was not the man to utter such language
iesthgly.
SIT is true, my boy. Lovett has re-
turned, and every dollar that he ever
had of yours is not only safe, but the
is well nigh doubled"
"Uncle Anson-What is this 2"
"Do you not guess 2"
81 dare not. Tell me-"
Again the old man took his nephew's
hand, and after a brief pause, he an
suare5.