Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-04-08
The secon Love.

You must permit me TO offer you my
congratulations. Mr.. Renaud will, no
DOUBT, be more happy than most of the
Benedicts, having distanced 30 many COM
petitors; and he is also greatly to be envied
| in finding a Beatrice so artless and 80 un-
touched by the world and its vanities. For
myself, the woman / shall marry is not
born. When she appears, will let you
know until then, believe me your very
sincere friend. ALFRED FIELD.
Thus wrote Alfred Field to his former
fancee, Miss Effie Severe, on the receipt of
her wedding cards, few days before her
marriage. He had loved her in the old
days two years before but Effie was an un-
deniabie little flirt, and Alfred having been
severely tried once or twice by reports of
the havoc caused by
Those sweet eyes those low replies"
he had forced himself to forget her, and
sternly deny to his longing eyes the sight of
her faithless, but still beloved face. His
victory over himself he had thought com
plete until the sight of her wedding cards,
with the formal 'tMiss Severe" and "Mr
Renaud' in such close and significant rela-
tion, seemed to bring back some of his old
feelings He suddenly resolved to go to her
wedding; and arrived just in time to wit
ness the ceremony at the church.
He followed the bridal party home, and
entered the old familiar home with the
throng, who crowded around the happy
pair to offer their joyfnl congratulations.
At his approach Effie gave violent start.
''Efiie, cried Alfred, in a low, intense
tone, II would give my soul could believe
this day were all dream!"
''You threw away your own happiness. !"
returned Effie, in a tone deep with sup
pressed emotion. "And now you are left
to look forward to felicity with the woman
who is not yet born"
Years passed away, and Alfred Field still
fingered in the realms OF bachelordom. The
sunbeams glanced on many silver thread
amcng his chestnut curls as he sat on the
deck of steamer one fair spring afternoon,
about nineteen years after he had witnessed
Efie Severe's wedding
He was on his way to look after little
ward whom fate had thrown upon hishands
in rather curious manner.
Years before, he rescued the child and It's
nnrse from a burning house; and, no trace
up, he had generously maintained her ever
since. The nurse had become insane from
the fright of that terrible night; and, after
lingering for years in this condition, was
now about to die.
He was looking forward TO meeting quite
little girl when he arrived at his lonely
villa just outside the town; but as he en-
tered the gate, and advanced up the wind
ing avenue which led to the home, he held
his breath in wonder at the apparition that
appeared to greet him.
Was his old love risen from the dead past2
In bower of orange trees stood the living
image of Etfie Severe, leaning forward with
eager expectancy written in every line Of
her mobile face.
"Dear guardianln said she, springing
forward, and seizing his hand
Alfred was speechless with emotion.
"Speak to your little Gertrude, will you
not, dear guardian p pleaded the sweet
voice.
1t was.long ere Alfred oould command
himself sufficiently to talk coherently to his
little ward. The likeness was indeed won
drous; and as day by day flew by, and the
Olu uuTSc Sllll lay III al uuCOHsClOus sldlt,
Alfred remained in that fairy villa, having
ample opportunity to find out how much in
mind, as well as in person the fair young
Gertrude was like his lost Effie. Soon
again Alfred Field loved, with all the in
tensity of his nature.
At last the old nurse died. Just before
her death she regained her mind for brief
space, and in broken accents told them
where to find pocket bible. which had be-
longed to Gertrude's mother.
He took her in his arms, held her close to
his beating heart, and never let her free
until she had promised, with her sweet face
hidden in his bosom, to be his love, his
darling, his wife.
AS he unclasped her from his arms book,
which had been lying in her lap, fell to the
ground, and from betweenits leaves dropped
letter, old, worn. and wrinkled.
"Where did you get this9 2" he gasped.
cit was my mothers Bible, and that let
ter was tied inside" answered Gertaude, in
great surprise.
"Ah, belovedP" returned Alfred, folding
her once more in his arms. ''Your mother
was my first and early love; you are my
last and eternal affection"