The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-02-23
ALMOST SEPARATED.

DupbOn, since we were DOtn llGtle ones
| in short clothes and pinafores.
Ihad been for three years the teacher
OF The village school, aud was learning
TO be very happy in my love Of children,
and in my sweet thoughts of the future.
Suddenly, in the midst of my tran
quh country lite, came letter from
Cousin Maya tiny note ON pale-tinted, +,
perlulned paper written in the faintest
little scrawl-saying if it would not
trouble us, and we wouldn't make COM
pany of her, she would like SO much TO
come to Glenburn and spend few of
those broiling summer days. OF course
replied that we would be delighted TO
see her, aud only wished that she might
like country-lile SO we'll that she would
be willing to stay long time.
Sooner than we expected, the lumber
ing stagecoach ratified down the lane,
and stopped at the garden gate. A
broad -brimmed hat emerged from the
door, pair Of exquisitely small feet de-
scended The steps, and as | came for
ward, the sweetest sllvery voice in the
world, said;
Ills this Cousin Alice Glenn?' and be-
fore could get look at the face be-
meath the nat, her warm lips Were
pressed to mine in a right cousinly kiss.
Relieved ol her trappIngs, hali-reclin-
ing ON the lounge i'll our small sitting
room, l thought my cousin May the
sweetest picture my eyes had ever
seen.
Now, when 1 look back, 1 smile at the
recollection of my infatualivn. But l
loved her Tor her beauty, and wondered
that every one else did not share my
passion.
just as she was rehearsing to me the
details OF her last Irritation with a "real
French count, at Washington last VIM
ter" a shadow suddenly falling across
the floor, startled us. May screamed
with fright, but said:
80, it is only John. How do you do?
| didn't exp !cJ you home SO soon. TINS
is Mr.. Gordon, May-Mlss button,
john"
She greeted him with all the ease and
grace Of her conventional breeding.
John never appeared to better advan-
tage, tanning himself with his straw hat,
ana answering her lively sailies with a
dry, pungent wit that he INDUCED in but
rarely, but then, it was SO ricn and HUI
morous that could only sit and laugh
at them.
He took my hand in a parting clasp,
as usual, when he left me at the little
gate, ana May put out her small, white
nand, too. He took it in his hard, brown
one, looked down, with that strange
nal ,-smiie IN his eyes, upon that little,
dimpled hand, closed his fingers over IL,
the a turned away. .arl
John Gordon had been my school-mate
in childDood; but his father was rich,
and had given him superior advantages
Iror education and travel, and during his
college life, / had felt that mere was an
Impossible social gull between us-l,
L A nit ~ nj h,1f
pure nscience and hopeful, prayeriuf
woman's heart and willing hauis-he
the accomplished gentleman ana
scholar, with his proud anu ambitious
nopes.
| i shall never forget the day one holy
Sabbath afternoon, that we walked
home from church together, down the
little bridge across the Mohawk stream.
John had happy look about his mouth,
as he drew my arm through his, in a ten
der way, and said:
clean on me, Alice" ..-.
laughIngly complied, and looked up
into his eyes. He looked down upon me
with that sou-absorUing gaze thai
could not mlsunderstand, and as my
ewes dropped, he laid his hand caress-
ingry on mine, and said, gravely:
''AHce Glenn, L love you, and l
brought you here to tell you 30. Are you
willlugT' . ......
A deep thrill of happiness went
through my heart, and think he saw
the glauness III my eyes, for he kissed
me, and smiled, tut pleaded:
"Answer me, Allie"
answered him frankly,
Il could love YOU, John, but
but what, DARING ?" kissing me
again. ...... t...-. ...
ways love me, John. l don'C see why
you love me. L have neither beauty,
| wealth nor accomplishment, and YOU
mi gnt marry all Lhese."
lie drew me to hun i'll a close embrace.
and his voice was Lremulous Win emo
| tion, AS he repned: ...
'My own Alice, you wrong me by such
words. Beauty and riches and accom-
DlionmentS are but droSs IN the world of
domestic love. Love you for your kfnu
ana womanly heart, and because L think
YOU can giye me the best wealth on
earth, Il pure and constant love. Never
given such thoughts u place in your
nearG again. nave" loved you long
time. shaIl always love you. You
viii not doubt me again, Alice, my be.
loved" s. g. ,t',
AND in the quiet calm of this new and
uOly udpplhCHSs L L cOulQ never
ldeubt.Johu GUruon. ~
| A year had passed since then,
In The morning he came for us early
and we walked down 10 the rustic wharf
where his little boat lay rocking III the
stream. The wind was fair, ana We we're
soon enjoying the delicious luxury OF a
sail on u fragrant July morning.
"rake the nelm a minute, Alice. while
| hoist the jib."a - ~
40. let me, let mep cried May, sprinpLt
| ing forward, eagerly.
But Jonn caught both ner hands, and
SAID, playiully: "-t
| "Who do You think would trust the
helm Of their ship III The hands Of sucn a
little fiirt as you?'
"Aelm-a.lee, Alice" said John. "Look
out, MuyV '.Jy IT ="
He just caught her in his arms. as the
sail swung heavily around, or she mtrht
nave found her grave in the GAR
den Of lines; but John caught her in his
arms, and held her there, talking foolish
nonsense to her. N-
II believe shall have to tie you fast
to The mast, to keep you from running