The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1876-07-13

the piano, and she sung to him, and
talked with him. But by.and.by, when
he had grown strong and vigorous, ana
when his innate manhood had manifested
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 wo-
man loved. EIc asked Mr.. Grayson if he
might GEEK his daughter love, The
Overseer did not object,
And Della? Had Paul been IN vcrsed
in reading the human heart in It's native
truth as he had been in transIating the
siren song Of flattery, he might have
known that the love Of the beautiful
girl wa all his own,
So, when Paul Renford had been a
year at Wildwood, Della became his wife,
and he was happy-happitr far than he
had ever been. And he was advanced in
the mills from a clerkship to a RESPONSE
bic 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 a
deeper and more abiding love for his own
fond hearthstone at Wildwood.
During the first year of Pauls mar
riagc a branch railroad was opened to
wildwood, and thus they were within an
hour of the city and the mill property
was greatly enhanced in value.
An" said the young man one day.
As he stood upon the piazza of his cottage,
and looked off upon the rolling landscape
Of hill and dale that stretched away be-
yond the river, elf | only owned that
sweep Of land ~ =,
at is certainly a pleasant prospect
said his uncle Bdttcrman, who had come
to pay him II visit.
ave" added Paul, "and how it
must increase in value o that the rail
has opened this way!"
At this juncture Della came ont and
called them into tea. She took uncle
Arson by the arm, and told him he was
her prisoner. And he bent over and
kissed her, and said it would be a most
blessed Imprisonment.
Don't you find it so, PAUL."
at is heaven where she is " was
l'aul's answer,
And upon that she left uncle Arson,
and threw her arms about her husbands
mack.
"Dcar Paul, You are a blessing to
mel"
Shortly afterward the old merchant
said to his nephew:
"paul, do you ever find yourself long
Ing for the old life in the city,"
" Does the saved mariner look back
with longing upon the fearful death he
has escaped, and willingly return to
storm and wreck. !"
81 think not, my boy"
"And can a man, in his full sense,
long for the dazzle and glare of the empty
life that brings only pain and unrest,
when a bright spirit like this holds watch
and ward forhimoyeran earthly h%eaven?'
He held his wife by the hand as he
spoke, and his eye was radiant with a
light supernal.
1t was on the following day-a beauti-
Iul day in early a~utumn-that Paul and
Della walked out upon the gentle hill
that sIoped up from the cottage. And
again he looked off upon the grand spread
Of landscape beyond the river.
"Ah," he said, "it ] owned that land
| would do a great work, Della"
"What would you do ?" asked a voice
behind him.
Paul turned and behcld his uncle.
"lf you owned that land, what would
you do with t."
81 would make it bloom with life! n
replied the youth, eloquently. "Think,
now that the rail is laid, how near it is to
the city. Think of ii toilcrs there who
might find light and comfort in these
healthfuI shades. If I owned that land,
| would invite capital to open it to the
life that ought to occupy it. | would
lay out streets, and portion off lots for
dwellings, each with its garden and
would call it the Eden of WILDWOOD
"And suppose you had the capital of
your own, my boy?"
"The Eden of Wildwood should be a
verify"
A shadow passed over the old mans
face, and then came a shining light. He
reached out and took his ncphew's hand.
Paul, the capital is yeurs-the land
is yours"
Paul would have laughed if his uncle
had not looked 50 solemnly upon him
while lie spoke. AS it was, he simply
exhibited bcwilderment.
I" heard you express an earnest wish
to own the land, and secured it for you,'
continued Betterman.
"UncIe! This is a serious Jest"
at is no jest, Paul. In one word
Porter lovett has returned"
"LOvett!- r%eturnedu'
"Yes-and your fortune is safe"
Paul Rentord wa not sure that he was
in his waking senses, His uncle was not
the man to utter such language jestingly,
at is true, my boy. LOvett has re-
turned, and every dollar that he evcr
had of yours is not only safe, but the
amount is well nigh doubled"
Uncle Anson-What is this 2"
"Do you not guess ?"
"I dare not. Tell me-"
Again the old man took his %nephew's
hand, and after a brief pause, he an
swered
"Paul, you may blame me if you
~please-you may heap wrath upon my
head if you like--but you must know
that Lovott has only acted at my bid
ding. | sent him away, and he staid
away until | called him back. saw you
failing and sinking, my boy. | saw my
sisters son wastingand dying of a disease
which could not be cured except he could
be lifted up from the pit into which he
had fallen. | saw his young manhood
so full of native power and goodness
bowed and"-
"Stop! stop!' said Paul, raising his
| other hand g 400 II all "