Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-04-02
Love Rewarded.
BY C. o. GODFREY.

By q. y.
In ante. bullum days, the South had
worldwide reputation for hospitality
and it was extended with open hands
TO all. Nowhere in that land of sun
shine was it more fully extended than
at the magnificent residence of Judge
Nichols.
The Judge was splendid type OF
the true old southern gentleman; and
being blessed with immense wealth, he
spent it lavishly. He had married
early In life, and one daughter had
been the result of the union. Mabel
Nichols was indeed worthy of the
alteration with which her father re.
garded her. Slightly above the me
dium height, her figure was rounded tt
perfection, and her clear-cut features
the acme Of brunette beauty.
The residence of the Judge stood O,
the old post road, between W ant
M. Perched on high eminence
it overlooked the beautiful Chattahoo
chez river. No wealth had been spared
to make the house and grounds beauti
ful, and it was a tit setting for the price
less Jewel 1t contained.
As the days of miracles are passed,
it is not wonderful that Mabel Nichols,
rich and beautiful, should count her
lovers by the score. But amongst
them all Adrian Arden seemed the one
preferred. And a fit mate he Was in
the wealth of his noble young man
hood. The son of Gel. Reedy Arden,
. rich planter, in point of wealth and
family he was Mabel's equal.
On bright summer evening, in the
year 1860, the residence of Judge
Nichols was filed with guests. Fair.
est in all that throng of beauty Mabel
Nichols shown bright, particular star
and Adrian Arden realized as he had
never done before, that his life would
be a blank without the love of this
peerless creature. He had strong
hopes of winning this fair girl for his
bride; they had known each other for
years; Mabels manner was more era-
cious toward him, he thought, than to-
ward the other young men who fol-
lowed in her train; and he determined
to risk his fate this very evening. 1t
vas some time before he obtained the
desired opportunity of speaking to
Mabel alone, but it came at last; and
with the soft moonlight tinging every
thing with silveIy radiance, the fra.
GRANGE of countless flowers pertaining
the night wind, the echo of delicious
waltz pulsating through the air, he
asked her to be his wife-asked the
momentous question the answer to
which has made this dull, prosaic world
. very Eden for some, and for others a
place OF torment that no words can
describe. Softly and sweetly the an.
swer came that gave the heaven-laden
gift OF pure woman's heart into a
mans keeping.
They were supremely happy, these
two young and fresh spirits. Com
ing events " cast no shadow DER their
loves young dream, and the world to
them meant--each other.
Let cynics say as they will, love puri-
hes the grosser elements of our nature,
and we become more like the image
OF Him who died for mankind.
Adrian sought an interview with the
Judge the next morning, and the en-.
gagement was ratified by parental con-
sent and blessing.
AS the days went by, the faint muir
murs OF war became louder and louder.
Little heed did the fond lovers give to
these angry mutterings at first, but as
they became more clamorous, Adrian
became interested in the great question
that was agitating the whole civilized
world, and he determined to take up
arms for the South. Those were stir
ring times, when grim visaged war
sounded its fierce alarms over a country
but recently so peaceful, and the youth
and chivalry of the south eagerly re-
sponded to the cry "To arms /"
Mabel Nichols saw all these prepare
lions with shrinking heart. She
knew Adrian would have to take up
arms, and that their contemplated mar.
rage would probably be deferred.
- will not ask you to be mine, -
Adrian said, until this inevitable
conflict is ended. My life belongs to
my country, and I will not bind you
py wife's VOWS and perhaps soon
leave you widow"
DO not speak thus, Adrian dear"
mabel murmured, tears rising to her
eyes. :" l love you, and separation or
even death could not change my love.
l nave promised to be your wife, and
Will keep my promise at any time you
say. This may seem unmaidenly, but
al a time like this all reserve should
De thrown aside, and the heart alone be
heard"
But Judge Nichols decided that the
marriage had better be postponed I'm.
III the impending conflict be decided
There at last came day when Adrian
Arden stood before his betrothed in .
captains uniform. Thoroughly sol