Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-03-30

Dear Jonn, can let you go only |
because | know that you will return to
me again. And when you do return,
you will find me waiting. You will
never have it to say that sent you away
and then could not be true to you"
Then he caught her in his arms like
an impulsiye child, she nestled her head
closely on his bosom and her little hands
crept softly around his neck, while she
murmured in short. quivering accents
30, John believe that it is because
/ love you so that | cannot take one
chance for unhappiness, and not because
my love is weak and selfish. | have
thought over this matter soberly before
tonight. My decision was not made
upon the impulse of moment but after
had thought of it for days and months.
Do you think less of me for having
weighed this matter coolly2 Do you
count my love the less because it does
not fly upon ETHEREAL wings, but rest "a
little upon the sober rules of common
sense ?"
Far be it from me, my little darling,
to condemn you for doing what |, with
all a mans boastcd strength, had not the
courage to do. |, knowing that you
loved me, and backed by heart of pas
sionate alteration, would have dragged
you along with me regardless of con-
sequences l can see, my little one, |
can see that you are right, and chat
woman is by far the stronger when she
wills to exercise her strength. And
| shall only live and work for the day
when can return to you and find that
you have loved me and waited But to
hasten that day, will not linger here
Tonight, but hasten away and make all
necessary arrangements to be off in the
morning Edith, my darling, have you
one word of encouragement, one word
upon which may live and hope while
shall be forced to endure this tedious
separation.
ayes, John, that as hdoe lored yoa
,cih all my sonl, SO ,oiU IJelicge in you,
and trust and aUait."
John Weston pressed her passionately
to his breast, and imprinted burning
kisses upon her lips, then let her go,
and rushed out of the room into the calm
cold moonlight that fell quivering around
him, as if it had long been used to the
meeting and parting of lovers.
That night he did not sleep but kept
on working through the dull, restless
hours, only stopping when the last arti-
Gle had been packed, and the last farewell
had been written. Then, with last,
lingering look at old familiar scenes, as
the rosy tinge of morning fell around
him, he turned his course westward
toward the golden regions of California
The little village was full of gossip,
for few days, as to the cause of John
Weston's sudden departure. But Edith
said not a word, though many enquiring
glances were turned toward her, for she
knew that but word would betray that
she knew more than she cared to tell.
For few weeks she kept up her
courage with the thought that she would
hear from him, for she could not believe
that he really meant that he would not
write. But the weeks gathered into
months, and months into years, and still
there was no word And the bright eyes
Of Edith Wilson were many day visit
full and sad.
Then she would reassuringly repeat
to herself:
'If fortune favors me l shall not
write"
And every morning that came she
said
"This will be the last Oh yes, he
will come to-day"
But still the absent lover did not come ;
and the years began to be counted by the
number of gray hairs that clustered about
a still youthful brow, for. although her
heart was hopeful, her head could not
help recognizing the power Of constant
thought.
Lovers sued warmly for the little hand
that yielded an influence like magic upon
all who came within the circle but
women smiled when they saw the num-
Der dwindled until but one solitary lover
remained.
"Ahw said Miss Jane Porter, The
gossip Of the town, Edith will not dare
to refuse Mr.. Herbert, for he is her last
refuge from being an old maid"
But one who could have looked in the
parlor when Edith sat listening to the
suit of Mr.. Herbert, would have learned
quite different story
Miss Wilson, Edith--may ! call you
that in the few short days have been
with you ? have learned to love you
as man does not love woman but once
in bis life and tonight have resolved
TO bear my fate from your sweet lips 49,
| do not ask if you love me, for someway
feel as if it must be 50; but / ask you
to be my wife"
Edith started and looked at him. for
something in his tone and manner Of
speaking made her think Of similar
night ten years before, when John West
on stood before her, with the same conf
dent air, claiming her love as his. But
she drew little sigh as she looked at this
man, who was calmly waiting for her
answer, for they we're so different--and
yet so much alike--although size had not
thought Of il, until they stood before her,
one in the past and one in the present,
contrasted in the very attitudes in which
they were most alike: for there was a
fiery vehemence in John Weston that
seemed TO have been cooled in Mr.. Her
bert, and one was fair, tall, aud erect,
the other dark, heavy, and little stoop-
ing
All this thought Edith. and great