Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-10-24

feared to give you pain. But" here
he paused suddenly.
But what, ROland?"
Il do not think Alice loves me. L
thought at one time l could win her
sweet affections; but of late she is
changed. She avoids me-"
The keen eyes softened as they rest
ed on the young mans ingenious tea-
lures, and Miss Grey softly said:
ASK her, Roland. Faint heart nev
er won fair lady, and never deserved
to, either"
And so it was that when Alice stole
away one afternoon to her favorite nook
"a little vine-wreathed arbor in the
garden-Roland found her there.
As he entered, Alice rose to 90; but
his firm clasp detained her, while in
ardent, impetuous words, he flooded her
heart with the bliss of knowing her Sc
cret love need be a secret no longer
Timidly Alice raised her glorious eyes
her only beauty-and read his face.
Then she falteringly whispered, ''Ju-
lia."
Julia! And what of her? Ahr' as
a light broke in upon him did you
think l loved her-loved her when l
knew you, my darling? Why, we were
never more than friends-never" and
then the small figure was gathered
close, and the young lips met in that
never-Lo-be forgotten first kiss Of love.
The next letter Alice received from
home contained news which made her
feel sadly. Beechwood, their dear old
home, had been sold.
"Allie,'' wrote josie 'we do not know,
who is the purchaser; but whoever it is
he is having it fitted up in princely
style" Then, with favorable reports
of the mothers health and many ques-
tions about the "new BROTHER" the lat
ter closed.
OF course Alice had to 90 home to
make her preparations for her marriage,
which Roland wished to be very soon.
Miss Grey said she was too old to at
tempt to come to the wedding. As AL
ice babe her good-by the old lady held
her to her heart for moment, and then
kissing the sweet face to which she had
beeL The means of bringing so happy a
look, placed her in her betrothed hus-
bands care for the homeward Journey.
1t did not take many days to con
vince the mother that her child had cho-
sen wisely and well, and Josie and the
little brothers gave him place in their
hearts right away.
So no cloud, even "as large as a mans
hand" obscured the sun of Alice's hap
piness, as she stood by Roland's side
and promised to ''love, honor and ooey."
The wedding tour was long one
After many delicious days, spent first
in one beautiful spot and then in an
other, they bent their steps homeward.
1t had been decided that they were
first to spend some time at Alice's own
home. So when the depot carriage did
not stop at the cottage door, but drove
on into the grounds of her old home
BeechwooG, and there, under the great
carved stone porch stood hel mother,
sister, brothers and Miss Grey what
wonder was it that Alice became so
dazed that her husband had to lift her
in his strong arms and carry her into
the midst of the eager group before she
realized or understood anything?
That evening, when they were all as
sembled in the dear familiar library,
now ablaze with light, which touched
and brought out every luxurious detail,
Alice was told a wonderful story.
Miss Grey was her mothers own
aunt. Years before, the old lady, then
not old, but just recovering from grief
at the loss of her betrothed husband,
had taken her dead sisters infant
daughter under her roof, and into her
heart, as later she had taken Roland
The infant grew up into lovely girl,
and became attached to a gentleman
whom Miss Grey did not like. The
young couple had been forbidden to
meet; but taking matters in her own
hands, had eloped.
"That girl, Alice, was your mother.
l have an unforgiving nature, my DEAR"
Miss Grey continued, land when l
found what she had done, vowed /
never could see or forgive her. But
child, Gods ways are mysterious; when
| read your advertisement and recog
nized your name-Alice Justin-your
mothers name, l had given it to her
myself-all the old love for your moth
er came back to my heart, and l sent
for you. And so my precious Alice,
you have been the means of bringing
back to me my youthful heart, for 1
have never been really happy since
your mother and l parted"
BY this time Mrs. Justin's arms were
around the old lady's neck, and they
we're sobbing together from very hap
piness.
Beechwood had been purchased by
Miss Grey for Roland to whom after
his engagement with Alice she had
told all the above story.
Miss Grey did not go back to her
lonely home; and Beechwood again
rings with the music of youthful voices.
Mrs. Justin's health is steadily i'm
proving, and Josie queens it right roy
ally as Miss Justin, of Beechwood.
Roland and Alice vie with each other
in smoothing their dear old friends
declining years, and it is pretty sight
to see the look of peace and content
which lights up the withered face, as
her eyes looked upon their welded hap
piness.