The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-02-12
BELLA'S PROMISE.

"lll wait Tor you, Ralph, no matter
how long it will be. III trust in you,
and wait for yoC."
The speak. was a fair-haired girl,
not exactly pretty, but with a delicate,
oval face, glowing with health, soft,
truthful brown eyes, and a slight, trim
figure. She stood under the apple
trees. loaded with blossoms that per-
fumcd the air. the setting sun shining
slantly on her head, and stray white
petal from the apple boughs lying on
her fair hair.
1T won't be very long, Bella; only
three years" said her companion. tall,
handsome youth. with curling chestnut
hair and dark blue eyes. ave are
toung-you, only sevent6cn-I, twenty;
three years won't seem long to either of
US"
A shower Of snowhakes fell on Bella
from the apple boughs above her
LET Us 90 in it is almost 'ea-time, y
she said, brushing them from her
hair.
The young man drew her hand through
his arm. aud they saunterrd ur the gar
den walk.
Ralph Truman and Eella Seton
were c"mraniuns since cl;ldi ooa. Ralph
had lost both PAR nts at an cary ace.
and had been left in the care Of Squire
Seton, whose wife haa died at Bella :
birth. Ralph was as dear as son to
the Squire, who iandv hoped to see
him married to Bella; but an unexPec-
ted event came to change the current OF
the young peoples lives. This event
WAS the receipt ola letter from an uncle
of Ralph's. his father's brother, who had
long been thought dead, having left
home in his youth, and though diligently
searched for, his relatives had disc'v'
cred no trace of his whereabouts. 1t
seems that he had settled in llorg-
Kcrs. and having amasscd a iargc f"r|
tune. wrote home to his brother, being
in ignorance Of his death.
The letter, addressed to Ralph Tur.
main was. of course. forwarded TO young
Rail-, wl.o, II, on opening it, discovered
that it was for his father, and was FROM
lis long-n,issing uncle Both he and
Squire Seton lost no time in answ' ring
the letter, aud informing the absent
man of his b,othcrs death.
As soon as possible, letter reached
Ralph from his uncle. requesting hin
to come to China, and promising 'C
make him his heir
Though sorry 10 part with him
'.Souire S,l,on could rot DO otherwise
than to counsel him to 90, SO rrepara
iion, were made for the journey, ant
Ralrh was 10 start on th' morning 'ol
loving tie commencement OF th''
story.
"Wcll, chillrcu," said The Squire
who sat smoking in the porch. as Ralpl
and Bella stood b.fnre him. He was
stout, hearty looking man of for'y-iv'
years. with good narurcd expression
on lis coun'cnaucc. "WeN, children
don't look so dowr-hoarIc1. y
Bella murmuycd something abon
seeiu. if ten was ready, and entered th'
house. Rail II threw himself down OF
the steps. aud surveyed the scene be
lore HIM with u sch
"A,c voa sorry to leave the old place
nv boy :" asked The Squire.
Yes. sir, replied Raph; "bst-"
But what, Ralph -
"I-I should feel happier if thcr'
was an engagement between Bella an'
myself.
"No. no, NJ boy. Gh're must b
~ engagement between y""; III tire
wears either cr both nay Change YOU
mnfs. 1t is best that ION sh"u'd bo''
be free
May I consider that y"ur final de
ici,ion. Mr. Scltou p uGui'cd the younI
man erl,c!y.
Yes, Ralph" replied the Squire
rcpaclng his pirc between "iN lips,
Next morning Rriph irunaln lei
th, home Of Li- childhood TO find hi
uncle IL lar.Lfi Chm.
\ nontI after his 6elature, b. Il
md her father received letters from hli
4, He was in Liverpool N D waE about
: sail Tor China in enc OF his uncle $ We
O,ls