Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-03-17
The Stury Jeutr.
MARY MOORE.
CHAPTER I.


All my life 1 had loved her.
Our mothers were old playmates and first
cousins. My first recollection is of boy IN
red frock and morocco shoes, rocking era
die, in which reposed sunny haired, blue
eyed baby. not quite year old That BOY
was mysef-Harry Church; that blue eyed
baby was Mary Moore
Later still, see myself at the little school
house, drawing my little chaise up to the
door that Mary nigh ride home. Many a
beating have gained on such occasions, for
other boys beside me liked her, and she, l
fear, was something of irt, even in her
pinafores. How elegantly she came tripping
down the steps when / called her name! How
sweetly her blue eyes looked at me! How
gaily rung out her merry laugh! That fairy
laugh! No one but Mary could ever bring
her heart so soon to her lips. l followed
that laugh from the days of my childhood
till grew an awkward, blushing youth. l
followed it through the heated noon Of man
hood-aud, now, when the frosts Of age are
silvering my hair, and many children climb
my knee and call me father" | find that
memories of you are strong, and that even
in grey hairs, l am following its music still.
When was fifteen, the first great sorrow
of my life came upon my heart was sent
to school and was obliged to part with Mary.
We were not TO see each other for three long
years. This, to me, was like sentence OF
death, for Mary was like life itself to me.
But hearts are tough things, after all.
left college in all the flush and vigor of
my nineteenth year. was no longer awk-
ward and embarrassed. I had grown into
tall slender STRIPPING, with very good opn-
ion of myself both in general and particular.
If thought of Mary Moore, it was to I'M
agine how would dazzle and bewilder her
with my good looks and wonderful attain.
.ments--never thinking that she might dazzle
and bewider me still more. l Was cox
comb, know but as youth and good looks
have fed. trust may be believed when l
say that selfconceit has left me also.
An advantageous proposal was made to me
at this time, and accepting it, gave up all
ideas of a profession and prepared to 60 the
Indies. In my hurried visit home | saw
nothing of Mary Moore. She had gone to a
boarding school at some distance, and was not
expected home until the following May. l
uttered one sigh to the memory of my little
blue.eyed playmate, and then called myself
a man again
"In year," thought, as the vehicle whirl-
ell away from our door-"in year, or three
years at the most, will return, aud if Mary
is as pretty as she used to be, why then, per-
haps | may marry her.
And thus l settled the future Of a young
lady whom had not seen for four years. l
never thought of the possibility Of her re-
fusing me-never dreamed that she would
MT condescend to accept my offer.
But now know that had Mary met me
then, she would have despised me. Perhaps
in the scented and affected student, she might
have found plenty of sport but as for low
ing me, or feeling the slightest interest in
me, should have perhaps found | was mis-
taken.
India was my salvation, not merely because
of my success, but because my laborious in
dustry had counteracted the evil in my ma
ture, and made me better man. When, at
the end of three years, | prepared to return
l said nothing of the reformation in myself
which knew had taken place.
They loved me as | was" murmured to
myself, "and they shall find out for them
selves whether am not better worth loving
than formerly"
packed up many token from that land
of romance and gold, for the friends hoped
to meet. The gift for Mary Moore select
Ell with a beating heart. 1t was a ring ot
rough, virgin gold, with my name and hers
engraved inside-that was ALL and yet the
side of that little top strangely thrilled me as
balanced it on the tip of my finger.
TO the eyes Of Others, it was but small
plain circlet, suggesting thought, perhaps, by
its elegance, of the beautiful white hand thai
was to wear it. But to mellow much wa:
embodied there! A loving smile on beau
tiful face-low words of welcome, future
home, and a sweet, smiling face-a group O
merry children to climb my knee-all these
delights were hidden within the little ring o
gold.