The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1880-03-11
HELEN CHURcHILL's LOVER. T


HELEN CHURCHLL'S LOVER. or
tfAp - faAfl - --
The silvery gray of summer dawn
was spreading itself over the landscape,
rendering soft and indistinct all familiar
objects yet, even seen by its dim, un-
certain light, he looked more like one
grown prematurely old by reason of
hard work or whitening care, than as if
he had merely passed from youth to age
blythe ordinary gentle gradations.
His brow vas lined, his hair silyered,
and there was a stOop in his shoulders
which told of hard and continuous toll;
yet, notwithstanding these drawbacks,
there were the remains of youthful
beauty in the well-shaped head and
clear gray eyes.
He had arrived at the neighboring
town too Hate the evening before to catch
the last train to this little out-of-the way
hamlet, too late to do aught but seek
bed there but after three or four hours,
the resting craving TO complete his
journey 50 Overpowered him that he rose
and pursued his way on foot. And now
with the delicate light of early morn sill
vering the birches, and dimpling the
waters of the stream, he stood at length
where his feet had not rested for fifteen
years. But these fifteen years, awful us
they had been at the time, seemed but
as "A dream now, scarcely to be recalled
on waking, as he stood thus looking at
each well-remembered spot.
With "a sigh, the wayfarer brought
back his straying thoughts from past to
present, and became aware that the
sun had risen, the birds were chirping
forth an early song, and the dewdrops
were glitteTing all around -on the rose
crowned hedge by which he stood, on
the sprays of eglantine, and on the far
away green meadows that lay between
the village of Bythrope and Bythrope
Manor, halfway up the wooded slopes
opposite.
"At length 1 am home again." then
he muttered; sat LENGTH throwing
his head back with a certain joyful ges-
ture, and stretching out a rough, toll
worn hand, as if in token of greeting
'' at length the years are over-the work
is accomplished - the punishment
wrought out-and I am back to claim
my prizel hl''-starting slightly,
as voice addressed him with brief
" Good-morning.
"Good-morning- sir Something in
the strangers appearance apparently
brought forth that g SIR" which had
not formed partof the original sentence,
but was hastily added on as he turned
his head to see who had addressed him.
You are about betimes, the new
conner went on. q 1t is not many of the
gentry as troubles themselves with the
sight of a summer SUNRISE
'They miss much,'' said the stran-
ger, briefly. :. Though perhaps to US,
who possibly have seen it nearly every
morning of our lives, it is common af-
on IA
The farmer looked at the speaker in
some surprise, and he added immedi-
ateiy '' have not seen 1T myself for
many years-in England. You belong
to BYthorpe," he went on, as if anxious
to divert the conversation from any per-
sonal channels.
Man and boy, have lived here
these fifty years. That is my farm, -
pointing with proud, possessive air in
the direction whence he had come,
"Manor Farm"
t'Then you are y half escaped the
lips of the other; but the words passed
unnoted by his companion.
''Dick Sisted, of the Manor Farm
he repeated. "AIine now, as it was my
fathers before me, and will, please God
be my sons, by-and-by."
q A perfect life, Mr.. Sisted A home
a wife, and little ones. What could q
man require moreP"
g Yop do. not possess themp >
questioned tho farmer, looking up
surprised Mt the energyin the strangers
voice.
IL am not married,'' he replied
.briehy. ''But," he hastened to add,
fearing his reply might have. beeI
abrupt, 'you know the place, you say
then perhaps you can tell me to whom
belongs yonder house," pointing to
wards the distant towers of BythorpC
Manor. "But it may be am OBTAINING
youP " raL
- Ne, no. replied Mr.. Stisted courte
Qusly, Tn not pressed for time
Yonder house belongs to Squire Church
ILL The young squire we calls hin
mostly about here, seeing that his faith
er is dead not so long since. -
. lie is dead?" fr
Ay, surely; and young Mr.. Edward
has come into the place, and married
benny wife, he has
he notP"
d" Two. You know themP'1
"i knew of them,n the stranger re
piled. evasiyely. And then, pointing t,
a small white house that was visibl
through the trees And to whom doe
that belong?"
'.That9 Why, to Mrs. Sutton, poo
body
"And why do you pity her?'
4" You must be a stranger indeed, siI
TO ask whyl''
Then, enlighten me. Tell me tn
story"
Story! 1t is a queer story. Almo:
too sad 10 call by such name! Sh
was the doctors wife, a sweet prett
woman as ever l saw, fifteen years age
with fair, handsome boy. that she wa
that proud on, that it would have don
You good but to see the two together
He, the doctor himself, was a bit cross
grained-leastways, so I've heard say
and aEit the more reason why the motht
and son should think so much of or
auVther.