Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-03-07


rustic seat in the yard, her hands
alwa VS. busy with some useful work
while he, lounging upon the green
sward near, toyed idly with his cane,
or threaded the wavy masses Of his
hair with his white jeweled hand.
September came and Ralph was
obliged to return to the city. do
you know Agnes" he said one night,
"why have fingered here so long?"
The brown eyes gave him one quick,
puzzling glance, then were resolutes
ly yelled.
Because our village is charming
place to tarry in, presume, she
answered quietly.
Agnes" he said earnestly, "you
kno,o why have fingered. 1t is be-
cause 1 love you and have not dared
to tell you SO. have wealth, Agnes;
share it with me-" There was a
nervous trembling about the sensi-
tive mouth, a tremor of the eyelids
and then the eyes, grave and earnest
now, though humid with unshed
tears, looked into his.
"Mr. Wilson-Ralph," she said
slowly, Il will not deny that you are
more to me than a friend; but I
promised my father on his death-bed
that 1 would never mary any man
who had no profession or trade, one
whose hands we're soft and white,
who, should wealth take wings
knew not how to labor for his
bread. You may think me peculiar
perhaps unkind-but you cannot
fill my idea of true manhood as long
as you neglect to develop your mind.
We were not placed here to lead a
butterfly existence.
Frightened at having said so much,
Agnes hid her face in her hands.
Ralph sprang up like one awakened
from a dream. New thoughts went
flying through his brain. Reared in
aflluence, with every wish gratified.
this aimless, inactive life had become
a part of his nature. He was
thoroughly awake now; all his dor
mant energies were springing into
life. He would never again be the
idle drone he had heretofore been.
Agnes stole a glance at him, and
wondered at the transformation. He
was standing erect, his head thrown
back, his really fine features lit up by
an expression she had never seen
before.
Agnes" he said, as he bent over
her and touched reverently the braids
OF her hair, agnes, you have spoken
the truth. l am living like pol
troon upon the fortune smy father
amassed for me; am wasting the
fortune God gaze me. Little teacher,
your words shall not be lin vain.
When 7 come again / will come more
worthy of you, or will never come.
Let me but kiss this hand; it is all
the pledge 1 ask. Indeed, / have no
right to ask any pledge Gently,
reverently, he raised her hand to his
lips, and then walked quickly away,
Five years the seasons came and
went, and with them came changes
to Agnes home. Her mother was
dead, d,-she was all alone.
No word had ever come directly
from Ralph. She heard of him in the
busy city as a rising young architect
Her cheeks glowed when she heard
his praise, although she believed he
had forgotten her. For a year she
had Seen teaching in a distant city,
where she received a better salary.
Five years from the time we first
met her, she returned to her native
village to visit her friends and her
mothers grave.
She was walking slowly along the
green lane that led from the cemetery,
unmindsul OF the violets and butter
cups that raised their tiny heads and
looked pityingly up at her.
She was very lonely this bright
spring morning. There were traces
OF tears upon her face and her lips
quivered like those of grieved child,
This was her moment OF weakness,
she would be strong again by and by,
A gentleman was coming up the
lane. A stranger. she thought. Un-
consciously she found herself ad-
miring his tall. manly form and firm
resolute tread. Perhaps it was the
contrast with her own weakness that
attracted her attention and drew forth
her admiration.
He came nearer, paused and held
out his hands saying simply, "Agnesl'
"Ralphl" she replied, and placed her
hands in his, "I have come." he said
"as promised. / trust / am more
worthy Of you than when we parted
Two years ago. the emergency you
foresaw, came. My fortune was al
swept away. Thanks TO you, / was
prepared for the trial. / can earn
our daily bread now. 1 have snug
little home. Will you come, Agnes?'
30 Ralph, it will be like heaven,
she said, and they went down the
lane together.
In after years Ralph used to say,
when his friends remarked his de-
votion to his wife. Il ought to love
my wife better than most
men. Cor she made man OF me-