Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-12-23

then, WalterP"
- have" was the firm reply. 81
was not born to be farmer. I am not
going to make a slave of myself here all
my life for bare existence, when there is
a chance of fame and fortune for me in
the city"
Tue girls fair head dropped, and her
slender fingers interlaced themselves
neryously rs she said:
Only a chance, Walter! Think OF
what you are willfully throwing away
for vague hope"
Those men who turned their backs
upon the mean drudgery OF farm life and
became powers in the land depended
upon the same chance" he Insisted
am only woman" she said, with
a sad smile, but have thought about
this matter since you talked of going
away. | know that for every one who
succeeds II thousand 90 down and are
trampled under foot. One success
means hundreds I failures. 1t is law
of existence"
You take gloomy view Of it, li.tle
friend" he said, smiling. at seems to
me that you might find it in your heart
to encourage,instead of trying to depress
me"
She looked at him again mutely;
and as she stood there, with her mild
eyes, iuil of unshed tears, fixed upon
him, II momentary struggle took place
in his heart.
He had never been conscious how
much he loved her until this moment,
when they were about to part, perhaps
for years.
An -.most overwhelming conviction
beset him that here, in the simple way
of life to which he had been born, with
the love of this pure-souled, sweet faced
girl, he had already found the all-iu-all
os csistcEce; but he shook it off with an
angry effort.
Speak to me, Primrose" be said
impatiently. AT least, advise me-"
No." she said, quietly. advice
from me would be mockery in the face
of your resolution. You will go out
into the world and work out your ap-
pointed destiny. l can only pray Tor
your success"
Nothing could aid me more he re-
pied, with a t-emor in his voice
" None so true and steadfast as you,
Primrose. / will show you that | am
wort of your best thoughts of me.
Will ork and conquer. When the bat
tie is over l will return and offer its
fruits 20 you if you will take me with
chem, Primrose.
A faint flush stole into her cheek.
J know you do not think so meanly
Of me a to believe that good or evil for
tune can alter my feelings for you. |
am not deceived, Walter. You leave
me with a double love in your heart
that which you have for me is divided
with your ambition. But. remember,
if time should show you how poor is
the fruit OF ambition, that shall love
you all the more if you come back to
me poor and disheartened."
lie turned away to hide his tears; yet,
With the perversity of his nature, he
merely bade her farewell.
She recalled him with hesitating
voice.
E"I have saved this money, Walter" !"
sue said will you not take it? |
snail feel that | have helped you a
title"
She extended the purse toward him
with a wistful look that nearly un-
nerved him again. He took it, and, ex-
tracing the mercy it contained, put il
hack into her hand, while he hid the
empty purse in his breast.
" will keep that to recall this hour.
And this" lie continued, taking her
scout the waist and kissing her lips,
shall be more valuable TO me than all
the gold in the world to cheer me in my
gloomy days"
Turning mt bend in the road TO look
hack, be saw her standing where he had
,sit her. the morning sun shining down
Upo her fair hair and white-robed
figure, and then went on with an ache
at his heart that not all his high hopes
could smother.
Walter Oakdale's experience in tho
city at the outset was similar to that ol
thousands of other Adventures into is
fierce vortex.
Alone and without friends, the young
man soon found his courage oozing out
under an uninterrupted series of failures
Ready and eager to work, he found the
granting of the bare prlvilege..to labor {
favor which he could not procure
Every opening seemed to be blocked bl
hundred as eager as him self. Th'
Lardships he had spoken of 50 bravel!
we're not long in presenting themselves
For .: while hemanaged TO procure tn,
means OF the meagerest existence b,
unnitie ated toll of brain and body. A
this time he often lay awake at nigh