Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-03-24

dent, but weary and unsuccessful man,
found himself once more at the old How
land farm, just as summer was giving place
to autumn, and the uplands, shorn Of their
green burden, smiled bravely beneath the
Indian summer sua.
Alas. the bright visions of his youth had
by NO means been realized. The word
was full Of greater men than be. Once
having discovered that truth, he soon grew
wise enough TO act upon IT. During the
ten years of his absence, the little country
village near the Howlsnd farm had grown
into town, and now il wanted an acade;.y
to educate its youth, in place Of the old
district schools, that had served their faith
ers and mothers in their day.
OF the academy, Professor Parkc, grad
uate Of Yale, was now tine acknowledged
head. Here, in the quietplace to which he
had once said Ii WIS impossible that he
could return, his days was likely to be spent
his grave to be made, FOX aught that he
could say. He was glad to fill even 30
small place in life as this, 50 moderate
had bis once soaring ambition become of
late.
Musing on these changes, he walked slow
ly one evening up toward the Rowland
farm. At the foot of the ten acre lo',
where he and Marsery had rested on that
fsr-away evening, he paused sgain. A lady
sitting there, on the bread stone wall be-
meath the apple tree, moved slightly and
locked up as he came near.
Il was MargeY-grown older and more
beautiful, richly dressed, aud with name
less ease and grace in her manner that were
no. Of the old time-the old which be began
to remember suddenly and 50 well.
She greeted him quietly, and made room
for him in the old place by ber side. They
talked of other days till the twilight closed
in around them, and the dusk Of summers
night. full of soft influences, and sweet
smells and sounds, descended, like veil Of
peace, upsa weary heart
And suddenly bis eyes were opened TO
his early and his lifelong mistake.
He knew now what he had always misses:
and unconsciously yearned and longci for,
vet never found And something told him
that FOR want of the lost love, this woman's
life hal been barren. and cold, and unsatis-
flying. too
'3Iargery." he said, in low voice, as
she rose to return to the house.
She stopped short and turned toward
him, trembling slightly at his tone.
Years ago Jeff you here, when ought
to have taken you with me" he said, earn
es,ly. Since then have groped blin.ily
on through life, never really knowing what
sough. or missed till now. an poor
man, hargcrv. 1 can offer YOU little more
than could have offered you :hen. But,
/ is il too la;e-too late for life and love, for
nc, for you, for both Of Us, Margery."
lie bent toward ner, holding both her
hands in his. His cheeks were flushed,
MS blue eyes, na,jonger cold OF grave, look
ed into hers with glance of fire.
She only sighed and drew away her
bands.
Years ago | loved you-worshiped
you.' sle said, sadly. ''fou left Ire for
ambition, and here, in this very place, my
heart was crushed and changed to stone.
You won me lightly-you lost NE as light
!ly-ani now can be won no more. / am
married, nv husband is rich, and luxury
and splendor fill my home. I'LL my life
with things Ike these. 1t might have boon
so different. if when l loved You you had
loved me back again Now il is too
3 laie.r
/ She left him and wen, toward the house.
| It was his turn now TO sink down beside
the orchard wall, to hide his face upon the
cold gray stone, and pray for strength TO
bear the sorrow that had come so suddenly
upon him.
Alas. my reader, how many human
lives might be changed and glorified (yours
and mine, it may be, among the resD, If
only wHES We love our dear oxes most
tenderly and fondly, they as tenderly and
fondly would ''love u. back again" 1t
seldom happens so here on earth. Perhaps
l, may in heaven!