The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-01-05

ening We meet once week and always
have good time Allie Denton is TO read an
essay on Woman and her Mission at our next
meeting; hope YOU will honor us with your
presence"
Thank You, will be glad to DO so, Tor al
ways enjoy such things. Nothing tenoS more
to elevate the literary taste Of community
than such organizations as that you speak o.
Frank Yeldham seemed to enjoy the hoar'
having found friend who could talk ABOUT
abstruse points of law, and whose thoughts
scared above love affairs Bat in despite OF
his distastc for such thing, curiosity icd MN
to look after his friend occasionally DeIla
was cheerful girl, with deep blue eyes, IN
whose depths q bold, frank expression mish'
be read, free from any faint OF deception that
spoils or hide, the good in 50 many others \
thick suit of auburn hair hung loosely about
her neck or waved in graceful folds over Acr
shoulders Born Of humble parents ana lell an
orphan at tender age. she had struggled hard
to rise from obscurity to her present position
Music was her passion, and on il she expended
all her energy, until attaining alucratiVe posi-
ton as teacher. Now that fortune had crown
ed her efforts. she could rest within It's da2.
cling courts, a standing rcproach to those WHO
had scorned her bold aspirations, but now
came to pay her homage. She had ever louna
in the Turner's true friends and II was there
while engaged as instructress in music that
she became an heress by Tie death Of veal
thy relative. To many persons such a sudden
transition from an humble to higher sphere
would have been injurious; but not so to Della
Johnson, for the same silken chord that ran SO
through her previous life held
her true To her course through the trcacherous
and fascinating paths Of wealth. The same
pure Judgment still sat cnthroned dlscrimna
ting between the true and the false. While
and fattery were bestowed on
every side, her searching eye and keen percep-
ton were safe barriers against the false SHIN
mcr.
1t was with q reluctant mind that Edward
Aston confessed the lateness of the hour and
babe adicu to that nights pleasures. letash he
walked slowly homeward his mind fell into
reverie, in which he once more saw Clara nest
led within his arms beneath the iutting rocks
of Eagle Cliff, while he gently whispered love
in her ears. The same little spring sang just
rs it used to, while a crescent moon shone
brightly, wildly recalling the features Of her
1t whose shrine he had worshiped. The home
IF the dead, with ITS snowy tomb pointing
looked the same.
Where am and what has come over me-"
&c muttered, as he halted in front of his home.
She haunts me like ghost, though our sep
ration is fixed forever"
During the next few weeks, Edward Aston
vas not an unfrequent guest at the Turner's;
md little Maud, Dela's favorite pupil qucs-
toned her more than once about the serious eN-
PRESTON that so often shaded her face just at
ar his departure, which was generally answer
u in some cvaslve way. The truth was, she llad
ovcdA Aston before his rupture with Clara, but
'athcr than let him KNOW 1t tIICn would have
lied. for she knew him to be anOther's But as
he holy pledges that had bound him were
now broken, she had only to rekindle the flame
hat had burned so dimly in the dreamy past.
Yes, she loved him, and believing her affection
vas fully returned, what could be in store to
mar Il bright futurc,-why could she not wed
I'm and be happy? As to his love for Clara,
lie had no doubt of its being buried too deep
or resurrection. But another thought flashed
,cross her mind, causing her eyes to sparkle
n the fading twilight Does he love me for
nv money? Did his knowledge of my having
become an heiress prompt the advance he has
made? Or was he tired and worn out with his
iie, longing for the genial influence of woman
o revivify his desolate heart? In short,
locs he love me as he can no other, and if sud.
lenly bereit Of all worldly goods; could mes
lie within his bosom with a full assurance that
Il least one loved me even unto dcath?'
Such were the thoughts oi Della johnson a
cw weeks later, rs she sat in the twilight
within her chamber. Edward had been there,
md the next meeting was to decide his fate.
To Della no meeting could be more serious,
OF Ill IL UcI NHDIC wa lhNOiNNN' ~
ler the contemplation of marriage was the
most sacred thought that could enter her mind;
lpon which she looked, not rs many do,asa triv-
AL event, but as IN obligation involving her
uture as well as her temporal happiness; As a
compact to which the divine God had affixed
MS seal. and over which he had set angels TO
keep watch and ward adOwn lifc's treacherous
stream. So absorbed was she in meditatng
ipon the fearful responsibility Of welded life
hat she needed not that twilight had faded in
% darkness, leaving her alone in that solemn
stiffness that night renders so impressive. The
Did clock in the hall tolcd out eleven, and lit
lie Maud had gone TO sleep with her head rest
ing on the piano, where they had been prac-
icing duet. While her eyes turned drcamily
oward the quiet river II dim spectcr iloated
lcross her vision, in which she saw Clara