The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-02-28
Selert Storv.
A RING Of ROSES.
BY N A. 8

EXUi(aOt young VOICES uOdtcu upuL
the pleasant air. A ring OF happy chill
dren seemed to verify the verse, as they
rnmped round tall queen-rose whit
slood in the center, like the lesser planets
revolving round the sun. Such asweet
faced girl was this who stood smiling
merrily upon the children, that grave
faced man smnng the elder guests who
attended Squire Woodville's least asked
a lsdv al bis eide:
"Who is that brieht-looking girl play
ing with the youngsle,s2'
"Oh. that is May Woodville, only
daughter and heiress to our hosts swee
girl and very pretty 1 think, do yor
not ?"
"Indeed I do. She has the most TAX
ing face have seen for many dav 4; sh'
seems merry little mortal too. l mus
get vou TO introduce me 10 her."
"With pleasure, but here comes oul
host; he will doubtless desire the pleas
ure OF introducing his daughter TO Col
onel Grant, 1hom every one must desire
to know"
"My dear maiam, you make too muct
of the 30 der down here; shall be toe
big for my boots if l don't soon 60 tC
town and find my level. By-the-bye
was there not Miss Woodville-Jsnei,
fancy her name was-who once kept
house for the squire"
"Yes. colonel, she does still. A qua.
kerish creature, old-maidish TO a de.
gree"
"Indeed, ] used to think her a mos,
charming woman, she was handsome in
her time"
II suppose so, but you see her time
was so long ago DO not remember it,
"The deuce you don't" thought the
colonel "hen I'm dandy"
The squire, ruddy-cheeked. merry
eyed man, csme up and greeted his dis
guest warmly, saving, Come,
let me present you to my women-folks
They must give you some tea if you like
such poor stuff, or wine if you have a
finer taste The youngsters seem to be
enjoying themselves; It's fancy Of
Mays to make feast on her birthday
for them. May, nv old friend Colonel
Grant. ] fancy you know my sister,
Colonel Come here, Janet, here's an
old friend desires to shake hands with
you"
A gracious. troubled looking little
woman looked up from her task of dis
tributing fruit, und fixed her ewes on the
fine face of the soldier who had stirred
the heart of all England with pride Of
bis brave deeds. Soul soGeht soul in
The long look that passed between them.
little pale. and too composed for real
quiet, the little lady came out of the
shadow OF the tent and laid trembling
sno HHake hand in the bronzed palm Of
The Colonel.
Have you forgotten me, Miss Wood
ville2"
"Indeed, no, Colonel; and I am glad
to welcore you back 10 Eagland after
-FOUR noble deeds p"
The soft speech was stilted and ner-
vous. And the pale face flushed shvlv a.
he Colonels fingers closed over the
,ha,'ow, hand. With little Sigh OF re-
,ret the soldier turned and commenced
.llking with her niece.
Only too glad to escape the earnest
questioning OF his keen gray eyes, Miss
Woodvile left them and bastened into
The shelter of the house. where she sank
down on a seat and tried to compose ber
Iooks aud still her madly beating heart.
Years ago, when lie had been at May
time with them both. these two had met
and loved but, soldier-like, he bad loved
and ridden away. and, woman-like, che
had suffered in silence, and sang in her
own hesrt, willow, willing"
Now when peace bad made habits-
iion in her life, this old love rose up
again, scattering the dust OF dead past
about the life that had been swept and
garnished anew by contentment. When
Janet returned to her brothers guests
her fair, kind face was looking calm and
sweet as q pictured saints, and tired liz
tie ores nestled about her, sure of kind
words and quiet caresses.
She found May and the Colonel had
progressed well--they were chatting in
most friendly fashion. She saw him
give. her q letter with some words that
made the girlish face flush and the mer-
ry eyes droop.
Janet felt chill settle about her heart
"Li,tle coquette," she thought, show
quickly she has netied this brave soldier
BY the witchsry OF her youth. Gray
middle-sge, / never knew befor: how
miserable you were!'
Meartime May, with glistening eyes
was reading her letter. It was In bold
C ear hand, and began with verse tha
seemed to please her, for she smiled al
she read:
"Born in yon blaze Of orient sky.
Sweet May, thy radiant form unfold;
Unclose thy blue voluptuous eye,
And wave thy shadowy locks Of gold.
":You are to be crowned at sunset,
have heard. ! will be by to do homag
to my queen. Till then. lady, kis
your ewes, aud 81 adieu! A blessing Of
your birth lay, darling. Yours ever,
FRANK.
Thank you for heing Franks post
man, colonel: bat come and help auntie
IT'S no light labor, / assure you, to wal
upon a lot of hungry Youngsters"
Very g'ai lily the Colonel complied. /
was passing sweet to him to watch tn
locks of the one woman he had loved
and m ore than sweet to touch her COO
soft haul and see the blood spring up il
be blue veins at his touch. He liked t.
note her gentle dignity, to hear her low
sofi tones. and see her graceful, woman
" form fitting about among the merr
children. Her beauty was chastened
refined and softened by the weary wear
that had passed since they had parted o
the hilltop of life, one to go quietI
through peaceful rural ecenes, the othe
TO glory and the battlefield.
Nav was charmed with the Colonel,
true coquette. she always made amuse
ment out OF the most distinguished me
among them. Thus, unknowingly, sb
kept the old friends apart and bred ne,
pain in the heart OF the patent woma
whose lot in life had been over-tull c
disappointment.
| A. tho ;oliu ann yoilad into q hall .