The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1878-05-17
THE OLD LOVE.

THE OLD LOVE.
at seems so strange that | shall
not see the old place again 10y moon
| light, for long, long years
! The sweet voice of the speaker was
| sad, and her brown eyes had tender,
| fearful look in them rs she raised
them to the face of her companion
He did not reply. His clear, bright
glance was fixed OH the most distant
| of the far off hills, and his handsome
boyish face had wistfUlly thoughtful
| look on it.
''NVhat are you thinking of, JUS
| t.n?" said the young girl, when his
silence had attracted her attention.
az am wondering about the future, v
he replied, with sigh, his gaze wall
dering near home, and finally resting
on her face.
al am tired of doing that" she an
swered, carelessly, swinging the little
brown gate by which they stood, back
and forth with her hand. 81 -shan't
trouble myself about what is coming
any more"
"'Why?-that sounds oddly coming
from your lips, Genie"
Young man looked into, while the
owner of ii hesitated. Not perfect in
outline or feature, hut charming in
its expression of intelligence and sweet
gravity. Pale brown hair put care
lessly back from it, lay i'm golden
waves about the forehead and softly
tinted cheeks, and was gathered into
coil OF shining braids at the back of
her head.
at makes me 90 sad" She said, at
last, her eyes fixed and dreamy. ''Do
voI know, Justin, that ! think there
is some great trial in store for me by
and-by. ( dread of coming i'll al
ways haUnts me when | try To look
forward. 1t is foolish, perhaps, but /
cannot. help it
al might call it foolish if | We're
not bit superstitiOus and mystical
myself, Tonight" replied the young
man, taking one of her hands and ca
resSing it absently.. lour prospects
certainly look bright now, Genie
dear"
~ know it," she replied, leaning
her forehead against his shoulder in Il
familiar, careless way.
my relatives will give me good
home and pll the advantages their
wealth can bring. know that shall
he the pet of their Old age; and /
shall value all this Kindness the more
because | have always been deprived
of it until now. But for you, dear,
how desOlate my past life would have
BEEN"
HIS arms closed impulstvely around
her, and he bent forward and kissed
her forehead.
"Do you think that you will miss
me, Gemiem'
"You know that SHALL" she 4e-
piled.
az am not sure of that" he an
swered. al know that l have been
everything to you, as you have been
and always will be To me, but l cam
not think that you will always feel as
you do toward me, Hush, and listen
a moment. 1t will hot be there as it
has been here. You will see new
people-peOple who will appreciate
and admire you. New interests will
spring up, and as time passes away,
the old love stands fair chance of be-
ing undervalued and forgotten. Wait
no; / do not think you tickle or nat
urally forgetful of those whom you
have loved, but you will grow Older,
and-Nirginia, do you remember the
doll you had six years ago, when |
first knew you, and how you priced
IL"
"Yes."
"Do you remember the pet dog you
owned year later, and which you
declared to me you loved better than
anything else in the wOrld?"
"My poor dead CarlOs-yes."
ado you remember Nellie Bran
don, to whom YOU were fOndly at
tached at fifteen? Your intimate
friend, tH whom you confided every
thougAtYN
"A schoolgirl friendship-yes. but
what do you mean 10y asking me these
questions, Justine"
~ want to show you how we out
grow our loves. Would you love
your doll and dog nOw?"
"The dolI-nO. The dog-a little.
| But surely you do not rank yourself
with toy and Il pet animal?"
40, that is not what | mean.
! use these things in illustration not
comparison. How do YOU regard
| Nellie Brandon, uON#!
rShe is shallow, and-well, l do not
| care for her friendship"
"NOu did care for il once. And
| that is what am trying To make you
understand. You are not what you
were then. AS YOU will continue TO
grow older you will still continue to
change as you have changed. You
"IQu Wlli talk Hselessly, all night,
if you attempt 10 prove that .Iusriu,"
Interrupted the girl. 81 shall never
cease 10 love YOU, You were my first
love, and you will bc my last
"Perhalls so. Heaven knows [ hope
that YOU are right. See the moon
cleaning through that misty cloud"
His arms were about her; her cheek
was against his breast. They stood III
silence for q few moments. At last
Virginia said
"WhRt have you planned 10 DO fqr
yourself, Justine"
81 have not concluded yet what to
do. One thing is sure; / shall stay in
this minteresting place no longer
"DO you suppose the mystery about
your paTcntage will ever he cleared
up?i
~ am afraid not. Net ! think If
were To seek my parents, instead OF
| my fortune, as young heroes do III -tO-
! rv- books, ] should find both. ] have
reason to believe that they are wealthy
and influential. But you are cold,
| dear, and your hair is damp withdew.
| will not he 50 selfish as to keep you
! longer"
"'But, Justin, you will write to me
oltcus"
Il VIII not promise. Ferhap5 it
| will be better otherwise. But you
shall hear from me once a year, until
I see YOU again. Now, goodbye, and
God bless your
He kissed her twice in a passionate,
| earnest way, and then, releasing her,
turned and quickly walked down the
road. She watched his fine figure,
with its well poised head and spring
ing step, until 1t WA CUT Of sight
Then She walked slowly up the wind
ing grassy path TO the door. ON the