Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-07-25
in which to fish than there. Good-day,

y
more would have been crowned with
success, as he was a skilful angler, and
the stream afforded no better place IN
which to engage in this romantic occu-
patton. .s'#
AS it was, however, he met with but
little success. He found it somewhat
difficult to keep his mind on fishing,
and the maiden from whom he had
parted only few moments before; and
so, after spending half an hour at the
stream, and succeeding in catching only
a small perch he rolled up his line and
directed his steps toward the village.
All that day Flora Aliens mind was
filled with thoughts of Henry Durham.
She had been favorably impressed by
him, and his agreeable manners had
quite won her admiration.
They met again not long afterwards,
and from that time the acquaintance
that had sprung up in their hearts be-
came more intimate. In short time
the bud of friendship blossomed into
the flower Of love, and life added new
charms to their spirits.
Henry Durham visited Flora Allen at
her fathers house, and In the grove
where he had first met her they passed
many happy hour.
At length there arrived time when
he informed her that they must part.
He had recently received an appoint
ment as mate on board steamer that
was to sail in few days for the East
Indies. Before they separated he receiv-
ed her sacred promise to become his
wife on his return from the voyage.
:" | shall come back some day if God
spares my life, and then [ shall claim
you as my bride, he said, on the last
day they were together. Accept this
ring, dearest Flora, and always remem-
Der me-"
He took her delicate hand In his, and
slipped the ring on her finger.
[ dread to have you leave me, Hen
ry," she said, softly. "The sea IS
treacherous. -
"There is danger as well on land,
darling, and truly do not believe there
exists more peril on the ocean than on
the shore [ shall not be absent more
than couple of years, providing no
unforeseen accident occurs to prevent
my return. III the meantime 1 shall
often write to you
He stopped over her and gently kiss
ed her.
Goodbye, little one.
So saving, he hurried away.
The time passed very heavily with
Flora the first few days after her lovers
departuer for sea. She had received a
letter from him the very day on which
he was to leave port, informing her Of
his excellent spirits.
After the lapse of several days she
became more used to hts absence.
Still she cherished his memory as deep
ly AS ever, and could hardly wait I'M
til she again received tidings of him.
"A year passed by, laden with sun
shine and shadow, when one morning
Mr.. Allen handed Flora letter AS
she looked at the superscriptlOn, she
recognized the handwriting of Henry
Durham. Fearing to open the envel-
ope, and with throbbing heart, she
hastily read the lines inscribed therein.
The letter announc his excellent
health, but it also bore the sad tidings
of the loss of the vessel of which he was
part owner, thus deeply involving him in
penury. He had written from abroad,
where he intended to stay until he had
in some degree retrieved his fortunes.
This last announcement fell heavily
on the young girls soul Her dreams
of opulence had been many, still they
had never overshadowed the love she
cherished for him She rejoiced to
hear Of his excellent health, and trust
ed that In the future better times would
unfold themselves
In her reply she deeply condoled
with him on the unfortunate occnr
renee that had recently befallen him.
Her letter was full Of cheering words,
in which she repeated her promise ever
to remain true to him, whether riches
or poverty were his destiny.
Noble girl +" exclaimed Henry, as
he sat in his room reading her letter.
+" Thank Providence, have a healthy
body and pair Of strong hands, The
world is wide, and affords a most am
pie field in which to develop ones fac
ulties." 80
The castles that hope erects are often
levelled to the ground by the relentless
hand of fate The plans that we de-
ClSI cSIC oClNAOII1 ACtOi11 'Ih0lAONA <ICIO1N
ing to our own intentions
Thus it was with Henry Durham.
Possessing a strong will and an earn
est spirit, he endeavored to retrieve his
fallen fortunes; but fate was against
him, ever thWarting his purposes.
Now and then Flora was the happy
recipient of welcome tidings from her
absent lover. He, endeayored to con
ceal nothing from her in regard to him
self, and always spoke cheerflllly Of the
future. ~ .--l. I.
Two years had passed away since the
departure of Henry Durham. go.
Mr.. Allen had in the meantime sold
his estate and moved into town. In
her new change of life Flora found
much with which to occupy her atten-
ton Her charming ways and intellec-
tual qualities soon placed her in the
front rank Of society.
Many young gentleman at first
strove to win her heart and hand; but
she remained true to him whom she
first learned to love. M @
She mingled much in company, and
was the acknowledged belle Of the