The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-05-03

algebra. In the evening we had our rcccp.
ton and Frank Roman aud GEORGE Halifax
were there. My father met George and liked
him; and CIotild'S brother, "a distinguished
looking young southern planter, was present
and met Roman, and they became great friends
drank each other, hcalth--thc health of the
adics, the health Of the faculty. the health of
Mrs, II, the Hdy-like principal OF our
school, aud Mr. IL, the good.natured
husband and Colonel Kancs health, and then
the boys were pretty mellow for the wine was
fine stuff
Al length We left school Clotid spent
three weeks with me, The boys stayed with
.us brief week, and then they went off for
their eastern homes. Roman lived in New
York and Halifax in Eastern Virginia
They both studied law and were admitted
to the bar IN good season, and began the race
of life in earnest and in the same city of Phil
adclphia. But alas alas, although they were
true to Us, us far as we knew, yet they were I'M
true to themselves Halifax never drank to
excess. yet he drank, and was with George
when in IA drunken brawl he attempted to
shoot an imaginary enemy, Il pcaccablc young
man. George intcrposcd, and the bullet IN
tended for another, entered his head and he
fell back CHASTITY corpse.
y e 4
And Evans supported with his strong arms
the swaying body of Laura Lee
Now, Mr.. Evans, do you wonder that
have no heart to love- no bright young life 10
bles, any man WITH
81 do not now wonder at your conduct; YOU
had so much to bear, and to occupy your
thoughts almost wonder that you thought of
me at all
"Ah, Mr.. Evans | was beginning to for.
get but your arrival startled me from nv fan
clce escape, from my brooding thoughts and
life troubles -
" Do not call them life troubles Miss Lau.
ra; you shall learn to forgct-will you not
now take me a. your true friend? Contide in
me- remember that | always sympaihizc with
you in your grief nj the past awful experience,
and forgive me for any recent GOODNESS and
neglect"
Yes, and forgive you, and now you must
forgive me for my extreme scltshness was
myself with your lively conversation
and allowing myself to receive all your at
.entions that might get away from my troub-
csome griei."
You are freely forgiven, Miss Laura and
that am your friend forever
Thanks, many thanks, and now We must
'eturn," said Laura woarily They will miss
Is, and mother will think We stay out too long
out God knows the sun shines and the blue
lcavens are dear to my sad heart"
And rs they walked quietly home Evans
aid, II will allUde only once more TO your sad
ecital; please tell me of Frank and Clotlld 2"
"Uh, that is the si.,dest part of all Frank
eeing what he had done, put the pistol to his
,wn head and lie fell beside his lifce5s friend,
md they faced eternity together.
And poor Clotild, IN her southern home re.
elved the sad news, and poor, impulsivc child,
ttcr assuring herself of the truth of the terri.
he news, in u fit Of partial insanity, drove the
beautifully carved handled dagger to her heart
nd was found IN her own room wcltcring in
lood and thus ended the terrible tragedy. |
lone am left and | long to go to the land of
hadOws"
Say not so, Miss Laura, but rather thank
he unseen for the power voschsafed to you
0 live and endure, for you shall yet be happy,
trust"
Ny story Is told; but asks some young
eader, did not Evans marry Laura Lee ?" Yes,
Il two years he came for her, and she gave him
II the heart she had left But sometimes in
fter years he would surprise her with the old
ook upon her face and he would say, MY
oye, you have been thinking of the old Old
me, have you not: Let it pass, darling. 1
Dve you all the more that know you have
rue heart But II is entirely mine now, is it