The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-03-25
LOVED AND LOST.
ny ALFRED JEPrERSOS.

bf ALFRED JEFIhHSoN'
And do you reject my proposaiY
asked a young man who sat on a sofa II
m deliberately furnished apartment
eagerly gazing into the face Of beauti
ful young gin, whose eyes were pen
sively fixed Oh some object bofor'
her . E
For some minutes there WAS n silence
only the faint ticking Of a French cl' ct
on the mantel disturbed the pericc
stiffness which Arthur Stanley did moi
care ~ break, and which Belle Parker
could net, for she was painfully agi
tated.
Z" Mr. STANLEY she said, at last, turn
ing to him with n flushed lace, 4" re-
spcct you IA Il i6cnd, and have alwayS
enjoyed your ~ cicty If | have by words
nr manner assured you OF regard Other
than friendly, attribute it to my giri'h
folly; ~ TO rcciprocating your affections,
fear cannot"
For n moment be did not speak, only
pressed more paS.ionetely the soft, VIII Lo
hand he held in biz.
But you will ell me, dearest B5l'e,
what has 70 suddenly altered your ut.
f'cJion for neY or have been cher, b.
ing false hope? When received
your reply TO my letter last week, re.
guestng your hand in marriage, could
not believe that my devoted attentions
for the paI three years bad been in
vain. Were those assurance that You
gave me but few evenings ago hut
the impulse Of n momcntary paS4jon2"
"Do not, Mr.. Stanley she sail
impose upon me the necessity .!
reyiving ;hc past; let it be forgot.
ten"
Ono, B,ile, dearest, tn" past is TIA
d hr TO me 10 be forgotten
Arthur arose impaticntly and turned
from her. Belle watched him silently
rs he paced up and down the room ms
il in deep meditation.
Belle, haze you no pity for nc ~
Arthur said more gently, coming to her
tide NJ in. 1--WE havehad mi,understand-
ings enough; do not mar my future any
longer Oh, Belle think how have
loved you all these months and year!
Think how | must suffer in the future.
II you Danish me from you You are
not wise TO play with me thus" G
added. You make me reckless
make me"
Hush ! she said, suddenly. at is
not Arthur who speaks
IL is truth, he interrupted. " You
are cruel To give me your love and then
take II from me, DO y0unOt know that
! love you as my life, Belle, dear ?
What is there before me? Only life
spent in n mad, vain endcavor to for
get the past, to shut you out of my
heart" '.t tt |-
Arthur ceased pleading, for he saw
that he could make no impression on
her cold heart and walking to the h I
rack in the hall, prepared for departure.
Belle followed him to the door, and in
the glow of the bright moons rays saw
him sadly depart,
Belle Watched him, as he slowly AMI
with bowed head retraccd his fooistep,
homeward along the lonely village
road, until distance hid him from
view. ..,# =
VIII he ever return, and am | rot
cruel in sending him awayr' she oolilc
uuized, ms sho stood in the door look
ing in ihc direction whence he had
gone. MAJ.
Years passed by, and numcrou.
changes befell the quiet viii of Irving.
ion on the banks Of the Hudson ..iycr.
Arthur, by the death Of his father, cx-
Judge Stanley, had fallen neir to con
siderable Property, situated in Hastings,
n peighboring village, and had taken IN
his abode there, and was now engaged
IN the extensive practice Of the law
which his father had left him.
Twas one day while quietly seated in
hrs office, preparing q lengthy argument
involving n question Of ownership to ar
extensive estate, that his Office boy AT
nonnced @ gentleman and daughter,
Pgk9r by name. g. +a
"Showshim in, Teddy which was the
TAMIL liar title of the Office boy. And in
walked a gray haired old gentleman
His troubled expression and downcast
look make 1t apparent that something
was destroying his happiness.
Arthur arose to greet him, and bale
him be seated. -. ~.
In q trcmulous voice the old man nc,
luainted him with his grievance;
be raid he had come in b, half of his
daughter, who had, n few year, ago,
-. n