Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1878-03-02
THE OLD LOVE.


THE OLD LOVE.
1t seems so strange to know that
shall not see this old place by moonlight
again for long, long years"
Ihe sweet voice of the speaker was
sad, and her brown eyes had a tender
fearful look in them as she raised them
to the face of her companion. He did
not reply. His clear, bright glance was
fixed on the most distant of the far hills,
and his handsome, boyish face had q
wistfully thoughtful look on it,
What are you thinking of, Justin ?"
said the young girl, when his silence had
attracted her attention.
~ am wondering about the future"
he replied, with a sigh, his gaze wander
ing near home, and finally resting on her
face.
II am tired of doing that" she an
swered, carelessly, swinging the little
brown gate by which they stood, back
and forth with her hand. " shan't
trouble myself about what is coming,
any more"
Why?--that sounds oddly coming
from your lips, Genie"
twas pretty countenance the young
man looked into, while the owner Of it
hesitated. Not perfect in outline OF
feature, but charming in its expression
Of intelligence and sweet gravity. Pale
brown hair put carelessly back from it,
Law in golden waves about the forehead
and softly tinted cheeks, and was gath
cred into coil of shining braids at the
back OF the head.
at makes me so sad" she said, at
last, her eyes fixed and dreamy. " DO
you know, Justin, that | think there is
some great trial in store FOR me by-and-
| by. A dread of coming i'll always haunts
me when ! try TO look forward. Ii is
foolish, perhaps, but can not help it,"
q might call it foolish it | were not a
bit superstitious and mystical myself,
10 night" replied the young man, taking
one of her hands and csressing it alb
sently. Your prospects certainly look
bright now, Genie, dear
al know it," she replied, leaning her
forehead against his shoulder in a tamil'
lar, careless way.
My relatives will give me good
home and all the advantages their wealth
can bring. know that | shall be the
pet of their old age and shall value
all this kindness the more because | have
always been deprived of it until now.
! But Tor you, dear, how desolate my past
lie would have been"
His arms closed impulsively around
her, and he bent forward aud kissed her
! forehead.
DO vol. think that you will miss me,
Genie?"
" You know that shall, she replied.
al am not sure of that" he answered.
" | know that have been everything to
you. as YOU have been and always will
be to me, but | can not think that you
will always feel as you now do toward
me. Hush, and listen a moment. 1t
will not 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 a fair
chance of being undervalued and forgot
ten. Wait--nO; ] do not think you
tickle OF naturally forgetlul OF those
whom you have loved, but you will grow
older, and-Virginia, do you remember
the doll you had six years ago, when
first knew you, and how you priced it,"
" Yes"
"Do you remember the pet dog you
owned year later, and which you de,
clared to me you loved better than any
thing else in the world?"
MY poor, dead Csrlos-yes."
{" Do you remember Nellie Brandon
To whom YOU were 80 iondly attached al
fifteen? Your intimate friend, to whom
you confded every thought ?"
"a schoolgirl friendship--yes. But
what do you mean by asking me these
questions, Justin ?"
al want to show you how we outg2ov
our loves. Would you love your dol
and dog now ?"
"The doll-no. The dog-a little
But surely, you do not rank yoursel
with toy and pet animal"
"No, that is not what l mean. ust
these things in illustration not compar
isen. How do you regard Nellie Bran
don, now?"
"She is shallow, and--well, l do MOI
care for her friendship"
You did care for it once. And thai
is what am trying to make you under
stand. You are not what you we're then
As you will grow older you will still
continue to change as you have changed
You"
You will talk uselessly, all night, i
YOU attempt to prove that, Justin, in
terrupted the girl, II shall never ceast
to love you. You were my first love
and you will be my last"
"Perhaps so. Heaven knows l hopt
that you are right. See the moon CLEAN
ing through that misty cloud"
His arms were about her; her cheeE
was against his breast. They stood i,
silence or few moments. AT last, Vir
glnia said;
What have you planned to do fo
yourself, Justin?"
al have not concluded yet what
shall do. One thing is sure: l shSl
stay in this unenterprising little place nj
longer"
"Do you suppose the mystery about
your parentage will ever be clears.
up?"
at am afraid not. Yet l think tha