The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-11-21
Select Story.
THE STORY OF AN EyENTFUL JOURNEY

And this is your final answer, Miss Ern
est p and the young mans handsome face
grew very pale, as he awaited the answer.
His companions face flushed deeply, and
she turned partly away, as if afraid that she
might lose her firmness she met the earnest
eyes fixed upon her, and she replied, with
visible effort, at is, Mr.. Davenport
She was very pretty to look at-any
stranger would have admitted that-and, as
she stood in her plain, black dress in the rays
of the setting sun, her presence seemed to
light up the low, plain room in positive
beauty.
Her companion bore all the external ev.
dence Of culture and wealth, and his hand
some dress contrasted strangely with the poor
meagre furniture of the room, but his eyes
were fixed in sadly admirihg gaze upon the
young face before him. They both stood in
silence for moment, then he stepped for
ward, with extended hand, and said in a
voice that quivered just little with pain,
4 had hoped to shield all your life with my
life. That can never be but if you will
consider me yonr friend l shall ever be
that
The soft, blue eyes of the young grt filled
with tears at these words so earnestly spoken
and as she laid her hand for moment in
his, she replied: If am ever in need o.
friends assistance, shall only be too ready
to call on you
You could not be too ready, Mis- Ernest
/ will bid you good-by.'
'Good.by, Mr.. Davenport
And so the rich young lawyer passed out
down the humble walk, and out through thu
wicket gate, feeling as if he had lost all tina
was most precious to him in life, and hence
forth must pursue his daily occupation witt
a sense of something wanting-somethinl
gone; and he paced his handsome apartments
until very late that night, trying in vain t
clear away the mist that seemed to hav,
gathered about his path. At last he sait
aloud Il will go away for awhile per
haps hustle and noise will help me to for
get May Ernest for little while at time
Relatives l have none, save that precou
cousin of mine in the west. Why not sur
prise him with visit ? He is jolly fellow
perhaps he will help me to shake off thi
gloom. / will start Tomorrow
Meanwhile in the humble house afore
mentioned, the object of Henry Deaven
ports thoughts sat in low chair in her ow
room, trying smooth out tangled maze q
troubled thought {; at last she said, resolute
ly, while she forced back the deadly tear
No, could never marry Harry Davenport
everybody would think that i did it for
home, and he is so rich and talented, Will
| am only poor orphan, with nothing bu
my education to depend upon for my dali
bread and, besides, do not love him..
But, in spite Of this earnest declaration
she took his picture from a table near b,
and, after looking at it long and earnestly
bent and kissed it, and then replaced it wit
tears in her eyes. Then the great problel
that had been revolving in her mind fC
many weeks came to her stronger than evt
before. What should she do Where shoul
she go?
Il cannot stay here any longer she d
cide2. Mrs. Austin is very kind to me, an
offers me home as long as | will stay vii
her but she does not really need m
and will not be dependent en- anybody
and her slight figure Strengthened unco
Z sciously, but her whole attitude changed
) a moment as she thought, 'and cannot be
to meet Harry again, and yet | did not To-
,, him. But her tone was not quite so decld,
this time. My aunt writes to me that
, could get plenty of situations in the West
teacher in the public schools. If she we
not so far away, would go to her immed
ately she tells me to come any time Al
; with this resolve, she laid down and tried
sleep, but the words, Il hoped to protect I
your life with my life, came to her in b
dreams.
The next morning she arose very eal
and greatly surprised Mrs. Austin by }
quietly expressed determination to start II
= day en- route for her aunt's home hundre
of miles distant.
But you have travelled so little, Ma
said the good woman. You will be 81
= to get lost. would not undertake sucl
i journey alone for all the world ! Wha
l. the cars should run off from the track, wi
would become of you then, ] should like
). know ?
But May smiled sad little smile q
= replied, Cars do not run off from the tr'
AZ every day, and l think shall be able to {