The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-09-06
he two I think I like Clendennng the best,

! afforded an inviting place tor u promenade.
! Edward took out his note book and hastily
wrote two lines PLEASE encourage him Ia
become a teacher IN an academy. The young
man has talent
This he gave ,lylyIn passinsto Mis-, Thorn
Soon she asked Clendcnnung to fetch her
glass OF water, then stepping to one of the WIN
dowS read the message. When next she met
4 Edward her smile and the twinkle Of her
! bright blue eyes assured him that she would
do her best, soon she complained Of wcarl'
ness and Withdrew her companion to com
Portable seat at the north end OF the balcony
The music again started up and those who
did not return to the hall stood looking IN at
the windows Edward withdrew \ gnes to the
extreme south end of the balcony to seat, and
soon IN fervcnt tones poured into her ears the
"oft repeated story" Agnes did not seem a
surprised or unwilling listener yet at It's con-
cuslon she withdrew her hand, which had for
a moment lain INTERESTINGLY in his, and SAID
in Il low, quiet tone:
"No Edward, will not engage myself TO
one SO young, it might be doing you great
wrong But will tell you what / will do, |
will wait. | may or may not have opportunl-
ties to marry, but will marry no one for three
years. If at the end of that time you are of
the same mind, come to me and will give
you my final answer
Edward plead that he loved her with his
whole soul and could never love another so
we'll that his mother, too, loved her, and all
would be well. But 1t was in vain Agnes
admitted that she liked him well for so short
an acquaintance, but 1t would be years before
he could marry, and years bring their changes;
he would become IA professional man may be a
favorite in society; meet many hlgh-born, &C
complshed ladies' and might feel fettercd by
an engagement
Then it is wholly on my account that you
refuse me now, Agnes"
NO, indeed | am not one that loves light
", and want an equal chance with the high
born danes In case You should change your
mind, do not want my young life clouded by
a broken engagement, for if love be flown |
shall still have ambition left, and fair chance
in the race of life"
Then we cannot call this an engagement,
although We love each other?'
"5y no means, nor regard it AS such IN any
sense of the word. If we meet in the after
years and marry it may be well but If we do
not marry, we can meet as friends that in our
early youth met and Mought we loved"
In this way she bailled his efforts, and he at
length was content, seeing the wisdom of the
the course, and gaining leave to write to
occasionally.
"Ycs,' she said, las friend | shall take an
interest in you, in your prosperity; and if adj
versity should overtake you and you should
need or appreciate my counsel or sympathy,
will not withhold it."
And so they parted, and did not meet again
for nearly year.
Meantime Miss Thorn labored with her
charge. YOU are a farmer, Mr. Clendenning?"
yes, ma'am, and a very humble one. own
not foot of land nor cottage in the wilder
ness"
But you have youth, health and talents 2"
II have youth and snews of steel, but fear
my talents are rarely rare" mean scarce
and | lack that something-that essential
someihing--in man called success"
Nonsense, Mr.. Clendenning; you have new
cr attempted anything great"
mo, nor ever expect to-"
why, prayy'
Because my brightest hopes fade like the
cvanescent fancles OF dream, Let me build
them ever so high and ever so strong, at the
magic touch OF my evil genius they turn to
ashes" James spoke passionately, while his
great soft eyes had in them depth of misery.
Julia looked attcntively at him rs he gazed
out into the night and unbldden, a tear came
to her eye. She had never before bcheld such
misery IN one so young. But James noticing
her she brushed ii away and he exclaimed
"Do not weep at my misery, dear lady;
am not worthy of it. If tonight have gain
ed frienu, tomorrow will lose her Who
was it said 1 never had a bright gaelic
you know the rest Of IT,"
1T was u ,ccHiaH, my TREND, and not mum
Ike you.
What can YOU see IN me, Miss Thorn, to
call me by the precious name OF friend: or
what can you see IN me to give you the leas t
encouragement to hope that | shall ever sue
coed in the world
II have already told you" said Miss Thorn,
"that you have youth, health and talent on
your side; add TO this good personal appear
ance and persuasive manner
"A persuasive manner indeed ~ said James
bitterly. Then why can | not win the OBJ
iects that | love? No, no, Miss Thorn; my
father left me, his only child, with naught but
his blcssing,--a mere walf upon the world
to struggle on without education or means, and
that peculiar sensitiveness bequeathed to me
| by my mother"
Julia could never tell why she said it, but