The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-01-01
repeat, Helen Ives was saying to John
Moore that evening:

| repeat, Helen Ives was saying to John
Moore that evening:
81 only regret that did not meet YOU
before my heart lost its faith, for then I
must have loved you, knowing you as I
know you now. But would not marry
you with the feeling that my heart was
not wholly cured of its old infatuation.
Listen to this with all its humiiiating adj
missions in atonement for the misery I
have caused you. Two years ago nv
father gave his consent to nv marrying
the only man ever loved. He vowed he
loved me so devotedly that poverty would
be bliss by my side. | believed in him
entirely. My father died suddenly few
days before our contemplated union. and
he thinking my father died insolvent
left me and sailed for Europe with his
bride-all in two months time. Yeti
think care for this william still, although
I have tried to tear his image from my heart
as tore his false-pictured face. There,
do not despise me that do not hate him
as he deservesp' ending her story with a
flash of anger.
! mo, Helen, do not. l know a wom-
ans heart is very tender of her first love,
and that is the reason there is some hope
for the second. What should you say if
told you that partly guessed what you
have just related to me- I saw YOU that
| first day on the ferry-boat and loved YOU
even then. saw you throw the pieces of
card into the water. One of them flutter-
ed back to lie at my feet. I took it up
ana have kept it since in memory of you.
l knew what it had been. I wove
a little story OF it. I still keep it and al
ways shall, unless you give me some
thing better in its stead"
During this recital Helen watched
Johns face intently, then said:
20, you do not understand. I do not
love him, but it seems as though I could
never be sure of love again. Let us be
the same friends, and give me time to
know my own heart"
Every we'll, my darling, I am going to
ffatter myself that it is my well-being
that you are to study in this respite.''
| The very next day Helen received a
note stating that her friend John Moore
was dying, having been fatally injured
that day by the pole of an omnibus, while
crossing Broadway. Instantly she went
tc his side with heart wrung with an
guish and remorse for having meet his
love with such GOODNESS and Indifference.
Ali his kindness. care and thong htfulness
passed before her, and she-she had done
nothing for him.
1t seemed to her dream that she had
*old him that she did not love him. Why
she never loved till now, when uncc ncieus-
ness closed his ears to her voice
Guardian angel never bore such soul
cries to the throne Of Heaven as Helen
offered for this dear life so surely sinking.
She pillewed his head in her arms, and
never moved through the long silent
night, but 10 kiss the closed eyes or to
beg God for his life. Toward morning
he opened his eyes and saw his idol at his
side. O, the rapture of that moment
when beloved life struggles back from
darkness to reason!
But his voice was weak and broken
"Helen. my dear one, is thet q dreaml
I've been with you On the boat. thought
we were married, and so very happy
that dear old boat, always dream of it.
But it is all one now, I must leave youp
my darling, you will kill me if you
talk so. 0, John, love YOU SO much,
and thought oid not. Live for me to
prove it by a life Of devotion and care!"
"You- words, your love, would make
me live when all else failed. To have
seen and loved you and won your love is
more to me than all things besides; and
all ask that you bear my name after I
am gone. O, Helen, will you that may
, know have some one to sorrow for me?"
In less than an hour a mournful we'd
ding ceremony was performed, the bride
kneeling beside the death bed, and clasp
ing the death cold hand Of her bride
, groom, whose love-lit eyes caressed his
face as ii they would even then spare her
t all pain. Before long the time for the
final parting came--the hand dearest on
earth must be relinquishcd.
All must give up. Oh, the agony of
parting!
But his soul, ere 1t took its flight afar
of, looked from his eyes and blessed her.
If ever you walk along the country road
leading to the cemetery you will meet q
] graceful figure, still in deepest mourning,
seeking grave laden with loveliest flow
r ers, grave at whose head tall monu-
? ment stands protectirgly, and on which
3 is exquisitely cut ferry boat, with these
words:
"The scene of buried hopes, and the
birthplace OF enduring love-"