Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-08-07

Just then, looking up, saw in mirroi
opposite, the reflection of our little grouI
-and-John Grant. When saw the con
trast between Mary. keating and myself,
forgave him, if had net before Not thai
was so very plain-I do not think wa.
but she was so beautiful, so con6diul
and loving, no enc could help being
charmed with her; and could not blame
him, for he had always been great admi
rer of the beautiful.
Mary Keating came to see me frequently
while she staid at his sisters, sometimes,
not often, accompanied by john. 1t was
an autumn AFTERNOON, full OF clouds and
sunshine, when she came to make Her fare
well can: He was with her watching her
every momen with loving pride; and yet il
seemed to me that he regarded her some
what as d beautiful plaything, winding her
yellow curls around his fingers, and calling
her pet names. We went out into the
garden to gather some flowers; and as she
ran about, laughing and talking, picking
flowers, and wreating them in her hair, she
seemed lovely and bewitchings child.
John had gradually lost his constrained
and embarrassed manner when with me,
and, excepting that we never approached
personalities in. our conversation, our inter
course was getting to be something as it
/ once was.
! Our tastes in many things were similar
We had read and admired the same au-
thors, and upon most of the important sub
| jects connected with human life, our
thoughts were alike. We were speaking
of some work we had lately read, and were
quite interested in discussing Eits merits,
when Mary suddenly checked her happy
play, and with grave face, walked silent
ly for a few moments at Johns side. At
last she said s'You never talk in that way
to me, John, but its because don't know
enough. ''You know enough for me,
dear" he answered but she went on, 81
shall be but a child wife. Caroline would
suit you much better" ''Allowing you to
be Judge said laughingly, for | saw
John could not answer readily. We said
no more ON that subject, but think John
asked himself more than once that day, ''Is
Mary right2" ......
When Mary bade me goodbye" that
afternoon, she wound her white arm around
my neck and kissed me, saying in her gen.
tie voice, ''Write to me often, Caroline,
and teach me to be worthy of him." And
she went out Of the gate, through the hop
garden, leaning on his arm, the warm au-
tumn sunlight falling on her golden hair,
making her very beautiful.
Soon after this John Grant left Elmwood
and took farm on his own account in the
west OF the State, adjoining that of old Mr.
Keating. | seldom heard and never men
toned his name then. Mary wrote
frequently to me during the winter; her
letters were like herself, graceful and
charming, full of love and confidence She
spoke much of John-''How proud she was
of him, what letters he wrote, so much bet
ter than hers, and wasn't it strange he
should love such child as she was !" She
went on writing in this way for several
months but at length there was a change
in her manner of speaking of John; it |
seemed as though she were not quite as
happy aSMMhad been; she said she began
TO be diA ed about ever knowing any
more, andMhited that John was getting dis |
satisfied with her-generally ending her
letters with. some anecdote about her favor |
ite cat or canary. 1t was not long after
this, when she began to speak of her cousin
''Harry Smith" who was so agreeable, and
yet didn't know a bit more than she did |
Il
surprised when she wrote that her engage
ment with John Grant was broken by mu-
tual consent-''They were not at all suited |
to each other, and no doubt would both be
happier" she said; for he knew so much
and she so little, She concluded with a
long account of her new black kitten Top
sy, which seemed then to be the one OBJ
ject which engrossed all her attention. 4
Two years passed, and seldom heard
John Grants name mentioned, and if |
thought OF him at all, believed had con-
quered my old attachment-my life flowed |
on quietly and serenely. One year ago
how well | remember the day. was sit
ting quietly reading in the fading light of
an October sky, when hearing rustling
among the leaves, that lay thick upon the
gravel walk, looked up and saw John |
Grant approaching the house.
When he last was there, she was with |
him, but he was alone now, and my hearts |
quick throbbing told me his errand.
Was / weak and wanting in self lf-respect |
when, after he had told me all-told me |
that although he was fascinated with a |
beautiful and loving child, deep down in
his heart had always lain love for me.
All my love came back to me, and with
more confidence that | could have felt four |
years before laid my hands in his, and
said, 'John Grant, l will be yours!"
John has sold his farm at Ferny Coombes,
and our new home is near Ashford, as the
old house at Elm Wood was taken down
TO make room for the railway. We neither
of us expect to pass over our path of lite
without meeting with occasional storms
but we place our trust in One who is both |
willing and able to assist those to remove
them who put their hand cheerfully to the
work; and with us it will be both a work
of trust and love.
Silk Raising i'm the United states.