The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-07-26

rlers OF prudence WOuiQ give way before
the explosion. If Algerlion and Maggie
understood each other, so did Frank and
) Jessie, and the numerous excursions
; only served to rivet their bonds closer
L One sultry afternoon d last excursion
was planned to the Fairy Glen. The
party had been increased on this occa
J sion by three couples from a neighbor
ing parish, and despite the threatening
appearance of certain huge masses oi
cloud, the expedition started. The
romantic spot in which Maggie-nc
mean judge IN these matters-had
selected for the afternoon meal was one
, Of those lovely bits of landscape so famil
lar to many of US. A brawling stream
makes its sparkling way amidst moss
covered boulders, the wild flowers be-
meath its banks. Then gliding calmly
to an unruiiled pool, it lazily creeps be
meath picturesque bridge, through the
single arch Of which ancient structure
the moor is extending its wild and un,
dulating curves. And then the water
secure in its pride ofhigh birth in yonder
hills, takes no heed of the narrow pas.
sage till, before it is aware, it is caught
in rapid and hurried over the cascade
to the sea where it is lost forever.
Such were the features Of the wood,
land dining room on that eyentful day
la day never to be forgotten by any
member of that merry party.
The cloth was soon laid beside the
stream, and when all was ready full
Justice was done to the al treSco meal
More than once a muttering growl or
subdued roll as heard over the hills but
the suggestion of thunder was met BY
the reply that the sound was merely the
echoes of the blasting operations at the
quarries, or the rattling of the trucks ON
the neighboring tramway.
The air got more and more sultry,
and even the insects seemed to sleep.
The trees whispered to each other, and
even their topmost branches waved a
gentle welcome to the scarcely felt
breeze that stirred the leaves. The
picnic party broke into groups after
dinner; the groups into pairs, each eau
tioning the others not to go too far, as
there was Il storm brewing. Frank and
Jessie did not wander away. Escorted
by Algernon and Maggie to u rustic
seat above the stream, close to tall and
sheltering tree, they sat together while
the more venturesome of the party
climbed the tall rocks or wandered up
the stream, leaping from stone to stone,
where assistance and much holding of
hands was necessity.
Oh, We Devon streams, for what are We
not responsible? How many happy
faces We have mirrored in your sparkling
waters.
Frank and Jessie chatted for some
time on Indifferent subjects, until at last
she sighed deeplY,and said half absently
ooh, how very sorry l shall be to leave
here, I have been so happyl' Then she
added, suddenly: every one has been
so very kind to me-"
al am dreadfully sorry you must CO.
he said, with an answering sigh, and
somehow, as he spoke, We know not how
how does it ever happen?-their hands
touched; his fingers clasped hers and
hers were not Withdrawn. The train
was fred
Jessie, dearest JESSIE" he whispered,
"can you love me? VIII you be my
wife?'
There was no reply, unless an almost
impreceptible pressure of the taper
fingers could be so termed. Frank took
it for assentand bending down he kissed
the flce once, twice, thrice, till the
cheeks were as brilliant as the crimson
rose Jessie wore in her dress.
MY own, my darling" was all he said.
A sharp peel of thunder passed away
unheeded as he spoke. After pause
he resumed:
$50 YOU do love me, Jessiei | never
thought you would care for me, dear"
"Indeed | do" she whispered, "why
should not? But often wonder that
YOU selected lie rs your companion all
these weeks. for | am so unfortunate"
@Why, my darling, how are yon IN
fortunate?" and he passed his arm around
her taper waist.
"Because-because- cannot bear
to mention it; though / dc not mind
now-at least, not nearly so much
But what is this terrible reason why
should not love You, Jessie? Tell me
dearest"
"Oh, Frank, that is like your kind
sympathy for me. Of course, you guess
1t is because am blind, you knowl" g g
Frank recoiIed asifhe had been stung
choking gasp escaped him, and he
could not speak for moment.
Blind" he repeated at length, as il
in dream; blind Oh, JESSIE Scam l.
It was too true. Blind from his birth
Frank Carson had never dreamed thai
Jessie was afflicted like himself Maggie
had never told him this, and the terrible
fact was now revealed to the lovers fol
the first time Franks knowledge o
, the ground and neighborhood in which
he had lived for years had enabled hin
to keep Jessie in ignorance of his in
trinity, which he, of course, fIncied she
was aware Of.
, And had it come to this after all
) Jessie seized his hand. Lob, do no
t tell me that Frank, dear Frank, say
that you can see me, Have you never
= seen me, never at all?'
She waited breathless for his answer
2 1t fell almost like blow.
"Never"
And this was the end of her dream o.
love, She had been so very happy Il
q think that one man at least had been 81
kind and sympathetic; that one mar
had seen her vacant eyes and SCARE;
face, and had loved her for herself alone
not for her beauty and wealth. Blu
: now-the charm was snapped-the gol
den bowl was broken She bent he
e head. 4 great warm drop fell upon he
: hand, now clasped in his once more. Sh
|; started as she felt it He was sufferini
v too. She drew herself up, beautiful
h smile upon her face, then bending to
Y wards him she pressed kiss, the fir:
IT kiss of her pure lips, upon his forehead
d s.For better, for worse, till death d
e US part dear Frank, l am yours, if yO1
8. will take me sor'
p Till death do us part he repeated
Il solemnly, and he in turn was stopping
d his love when