Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-11-25
ALOVE STORY.

ALOVE STORY.
Agatha Alton and / had loved
each other from childhood. Atfirst
it was mere childish passion, but
it ripened and strengthened with
mature years. Many castle built
we, that lowered in the air, and
many a ship was sent out to sea-
ships that were laden with hopes
andlfears, withal precious freight.
But whatever the future held in
store for us we were. in the present
contented in our own little way. To-
gether we studied our lessons and
rambled over the green fields. So
great was our attachment, SO much
our happiness concentrated in one
another, that we never thought of
separation. But fate decreed that
we must part. ~
Aggie was left an orphan, and her
Uncle Thornton, who was very
wealthy was coming to take her to-
his house. / can remember well
what a dislike / formed for him
simply because he was coming to
take her from ne. g M asa.
How shall I ever forget the last
walk we took before her departure? ?
It seems but yesterday, that happy
morning in the glorious spring
time of birds, and sunshine, and
flowers the last time we were to-
gether in childhood. alsG
"You will think of me often,
Aggie, will you not ?" said l
"Oh, yes, Robbie" she. replied.
ST shall never forget you" HrH
What sweet words they were, and
how happy they made me! / re-
member how she promised to be my
wife some day, and gave me a keep
sake, one little golden curl, in re-
turn for which / placed on her fin
ger plain little ring, which had
been given me by my mother, many
years before.
But now a mist steals over my
eyes, and dreary blank seems to
come between Aggie and me.
Ten years had come and gone
since our parting-years that had
wrought great changes in the lot
and surroundings of each of US.
The boy of 10 was now a man of
25. I was only a clerk, but 1 work
ed steadily on, with only one desire
in view-that of once more seeing
Aggie and claiming her as ray wife.
But still, doubt and anxiety con-
cerning her came to trouble and
perplex ME.
'She is rich and grand now," /
said, for her. uncle had died, leav-
ing her all his vast wealth, sand no
doubt has long since forgotten the
playmate of her childhood"
had never seen OF Aeard directly
from her since the day we parted,
although her image had never been
absent from my mind. / tried to
picture to myself the changes ten
years had wrought on her; but, in
spite of every effort a sweet, mild
face, with its mild blue eyes, little
ruby lips, and snow-White brow,
over which many a golden curl had
found its way, came before ME and
dispersed all other visions.
II Yes, ten years: had wrought
many changes. My parents had
died. the old homestead had been
sold, and [ left the scenes of my
boyhood for the noisy, busy metro
polls, friendless and alone, hoping
but one hope, and laboring for but
one end-that of making myself
worthy to meet Aggie on terms OF
equality and claiming the fulfillment
of the promise made when we
roamed the green fields of our coun-
try home together.
1 met with many difficulties at
the outset, but at last | found situ-
ation-one that proved inferior to
my tastes but which left me some
time to devote to the cultivation of
my mind, and to the pursuit OF lit
erature-my chosen profession.
Night after night did / toll an
ceasingly until the work / had in
view was completed. It was novel
my first ambitious production.
Flattering, very fattering, were the
praises bestowed on my work, and
1 soon found friends, powerful
friends, who encouraged me in the
most substantial way, and-what l
longed for most of all-introduced
me into the society in which my
Aggie was reigning queen. ..
My hopes, nay dreams, were at
length about to be realiZed-we
were again to meet-Aggie and /.
The stately mansion known as
Thornton house was ablaZe with
light. 1t was the evening OF grand
reception, the elite of fashion were
to be present, and / had been in
vited. But the glare and glitter of
all surroundings had no charms for
me, for / thought of but one thing
that of once more seeing Aggie face
to face. But could not help ex-
periencing thrill at my heart when |
[ thought of her as the mistress of
this proud mansion, the pOssessOr
of all this wealth and grandeur.
Again, when / thought of the nu-
merOus train of admirers which !
must necessarily follow the rich |
and beautiful heiress, my heart grew
sick with jealousy and despair, and |
cursed myself for being such an
idiot as to suppose that she would |
have waited all these years for the !
obscure lover of her childhoOd's |
years. .. - ... -.
At last my dearest wish was graf
flied. 1 was presented to her, not |
as the friend and companion of
other days, but merely as the poet |
and novelist, Mr.. Desmond. She |
did not recognize me, but paid
graceful compliment to my work,
which at once convinced me that |
she was not only familiar with the !
standard works of the day, but was
a woman of remarkably good iudg-
ment and cultivated taste.
I was prepared for all this, but
my amazement knew no bounds
when saw how radiantly beautiful
she had grown. l
"Can this" I asked myself, "be
the Aggie of my childhoOd-this
glorious, heavenly creature ?"
Yes; there were the sunny waves
of golden hair, the blue eyes, and
rosebud mouth; but what con-
trast between then and now! She
was attired in simple, flowing robes
of white, that fell around her grace
full form like mist. Her form was
as perfect as the imagination of The
artist could conceive, and there WAS
of;lI oo,,,aK hIno, ArQa m " ianv nrooSi