The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1880-04-01

preparation. Iuc NllltSe uIeoout'hol
was at her wits end to furnish patterns
in the latest style, and give city air to
her customers beautiful fabrics.
Many hearts were saddened to think
of parting with the beautiful village
Rose, but no heart beat with such dis
appointment and throbbcd with SUCH
anguish rs her friends over in the farm
house on the hill. John Allen was the
first boy she had dared to coast down
hill with; the first she had received as
sistance from in her studies, for his arm
and brain seemed so steady and reliable
that she never felt any fear of accidents
or ashamed of the assistance he offered.
He was the cnly young man she would
receive any attention from now, as she
was budding into womanhood.
Being some years her senior, he knew
of the many trials Of faith she would
have to go through, the many chances
of marriage she would have from those
far above him socially, and so he had
not trammeled her young heart by any
promises OF ties stronger that friend
ship.
1t was from her he had received en-
couragsment for his profession. 1t was
her bright face that had given him
power to give the best years of his life
toi it; and now, as he was nearly through
his theological course, and an appoint
ment in the ministry awaiting him, he
bowed his head in grief, and felt as if
this breaking up of his future dreams
was more than he could bear.
No words about the future had passed
between them, but the trusting hand
held within his own, and the brown
eyes, looking up to him from out mass
of golden hair, lighting up the face with
such an eager, bright look, told him of
what was in store for him when he
had reached the goal he was trying for.
Rose met John Allen silently and
sadly. She sat down in her little rocker
without daring to look up, until John
said. in his quiet way: "Rose, wouldn't
you like walk up the Peak tonight
We may never have another chance,
and it is very lovely!" Rose stopped
her nervous rocking, and donning her
jaunty little imported hat, which, to
Johns eyes, made her look prettier than
ever, went out beneath the rays of the
setting sun.
We will not dwell on that quiet walk;
the coming home in the twilight, with
the goodnight" on the low veranda.
Roses pillow was wet with tears that
night, because John was letting her 60
from him without exacting any promise
from her but that she would write him
every week.
John Allen sat by the window that
night, looking toward her home, think
ing of the dark and dreary future before
him; and not till the morning light be-
gan to break did he realize how the
darkest night of his life had passed.
Mr.. Mathews arrived, and was pleased
anu h. ls.Uu~--ov~UEue t1ttie usu5c 'te uau
left behind him in such delicate health
now grown to such q beautiful and
stately maiden.
AS he folded her to his heart he told
her "how much she looked like her
mother, and how happy he would be in
her society,"" until Rose murmured to
herself: 81 shall never leave him alone
again"
The days flew by, and Rose bid adieu
to all of her friends.
John Allen has hid no chanc esince-
their quiet walk to look into the brown
eyes so dear to him, and, as he calls with
the other neighbors the night before her
departure, to say "good-by," nothing in
his manner tells of the anguish within.
But Rose notices the pale, haggard
look, and longs 10 cheer him. But no
word OF look from him encourages her,
and so she bids him "good-by" with q
slight tremor in her voice and gentle
pressure of the hand.
Mr.. Mathews and Rose arrived safely,
and were soon ensconced in their home
across the seas. But it was not in the
little Swiss hamlet that Mr.. Mathews
had intended to settle down quietly in,
but in gay and giddy Paris.
The excitement and beauty of this
city had such charm for Rose that
Mr.. Mathews could not think of taking
her from it.
He saw that something was wearing
upon her mind. and often questioned
himself if he had acted wisely in bring
ing her from her old home and associa-
tions; but he could not bear to think
she could ever care for any one more
than she did for him. So, thinking he
might drive away the shadow by con-
tinual changes, he kept her in this gay
and festive train.
All admirers of hle handsome Amer
lean were treated well, Sc that Rose
could have all the escorts she wished
without feeling obliged to depend on
him.
But to them all she had been coldly