The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-06-26

RTdU0lt, YOU nave CucdtSQ uC anu IODDCQ
me of my true love by lie. Did you steal
the troth ring from my neck and give it
back to Evan as if from me? You I've
loved and honored my life long-Pd rather
die than think it."
She turned scarlet. oa
True lover" said she; you've but one
love now-Squire Turner"
"You have done it," cried. "It's written
on your face" tt.
And she looked down at that and fell to
weeping.
ssMy own true love was breaking his
heart" she said. "My husband aud had
loved for fifty years. l did it to save him.
Could L let a girls fancy, worth nothing,
stand in my way, and see him beggar in
his old age? Oh, girl, girl"
And then l fell down at her feet like
stone. knew nothing for an hour or more;
but then, when was better, aud they left
me with Jennie, bade her fetch my hood
and cloak and her own, and away L went
across the moor in the starlight to where the
hall windows were ablaze with light and
asked the housekeeper to. let me see the
squire
She stared at me for my boldness-no won
der-but called him. So in moment he
stood before me in his evening dress, with
his cheeks flushed and his eyes bright, and
led me into little room and seated me.
Agatha, my love, hope no mischance
DTl0RS YOU ueIt u6 U6kdH.
But stopped him.
mot your love, Squire Turner" / said. 81
thank you for thinking so well of me, but
even after all that had passed, L"
could say no more. He took my hand.
"Have offended you, Agatha?" he said
'Not you. The offense-the guilt-oh, L
have been sorely cheatedr' and all | could
do was to sob and think he thought me mad.
At last strength came to me. | went back
to the first and told him all-how we had
been plighted to each other, waiting only for
better prospects TO be wed, and how, when
he honored rae by the offer of his hand, l
angered my grand parents by owning to the
truth, and of the ring grannie had stolen
from my breast, and the false message that
had sent my promised husband from me.
"And though l never see Evan Locke
again." said /, ''still | can never be AZ
other mans true love. for l am his until
de'
Then, as looked all the rich color faded
out OF the squire's face. and saw the sight
we seldom see more than once in a lifetime
"a strong young man in tears.
At last ne arose and came to me.
my little Agatha never loved me-, he
said. "Ah, mel The news is bad-I thought
she did. This comes of vanity"
MANY a higher and fairer have hearts to
give,'' SAID Mine was gone ere you saw
me-"
Il
| not grieyed him, he gave me his arm and
saw ne across the moor, and at the gate
paused and whispered:
BE at rest, Agatha. The Canadian ship
Golden. George has not sailed yet"
liked him better than l had ever done
before that night when / told grannie that L
would never wed him.
En- but he was fit to be klng-the grand
| est kindest best of living men; who rode
away with the break of the morrow and
never stopped till he reached Liverpool and
| found Evan Locke just ready to set foot up
on the Golden George, and told him tale
that made his heart light and sent him back
10 me, but our young Squire? Heaven bless
him.
And who was it that sent old grandfather
the deed of gift that made the cottage his
| own, and who spoke kind word TO the gen.
| try for young DIR. Locke that helped HIM
into practice? Still no one but Squire Tur-
ner, whom we taught our children to pray
for every night, For we were married, and
| in few years had boys and girls at our
knees; aud when the eldest was nigh two
the thing needed to make me quite happy
| happened-and from far over the sea, where
he bad been three good twelvemonths, came
our squire, with the bonniest lady that ever
| blushed beside him, and the hall had a mis-
tress at last-and mistress who loved the
squire as loved Evan.
| En- but it's an old story. She that re-
membered a girl l saw in her coffin, withered
and dd. And then they opened the vault
| where the squire had slept ten years to put
| her beside him; and I've nothing left of
Evan, my life and my love, bat his memory
and it seems to me as if every hope and
dream of Joy L ever had were put away un-
der tombstones. And even the Golden
George, the great strong ship that would
have borne my dear from me, has mouldered
away from the bottom OF the sea somewhere.
And think my wedding ring is likely to
outla:t us all, for have 1t yet, and l shall
| be 80 tomorrow.
Ninety It's good old age, and it can
be long now before meet Evan and the rest
| in heaven.