Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-10-26
LOVE REWARDED.

So's Rs W AsesD'
In ante bellum days, the South had
= world wide reputation for hospital
ity. and il was extended with open
hands to all. Nowhere in that land
OF sunshine was il moro fully OK
tended than at the magnificent resi-
dcnce Of Judge Nichols.
The judge was a splendid type Of
the true old southern gentleman
and being blessed with immense
wealth. he spent it lavishly. He had
married early in life, and one daugh-
ter had been tho result OF the union.
Mattel Nichols WAS indeed worthy OF
the alteration with which her father
regarded her Slightly above the
medium height, her figure was
rounded 10 perfection. aud her clear
cut features the acme OF brunette
beauty.
The residence OF the Judge stood
on the old post road, between W
and NJ. Perched on a high EN-
inencc, il overlooked the beautiful
Chattahoochee river. No wealth had
been spared to make the house and
grounds beautiful, and j. was ft
setting for the priceless jewel it con-
tanned. .
A. the days Of miracles Ire passed,
il il not wonderful that Mabel Mich
OILS, rich and beautiful should count
her lovers by the score. But amongst
them all Adrian Arden seemed the
one preferred. And a fit mate he
was in the wealth Of his noble young
manhood. The son Of Col. Reedy
Arden, q rich planter, in point Of
wealth and family he was Mabel's
equal.
On q bright summer evening, in
the year 1880. the residence Of Judge
Nichols was filed with guests. Fair
eat 10 all that throng Of beauty Mabel
Nichols shone a bright, particular
star; and Adrian Arden realized as
he had never done before, that his
life would b q blank without the
love Of this peerless creature. He
had strong hopes OF winning this
fair girl for his bride; they had
known each other for years; Mabsl's
manner was more gracious toward
him, he thought, than toward the
other young men who followed in her
train; and be determined to risk his
fate this very evening. It was some
time before be obtained the desired
opportunity Of speaking to Mabel
alone, but Il came at last; and with
the soft moonlight tinging every
thing with q silvsry radiance the fra
GRANGE Of countless flowers perfum-
ing Ire night wind, the echo OF de-
licious waltz pulsating through the
air. he asked her to he his wife
asked the momentus question the an
swer 10 which has made this dull,
prosaic world . very Eden for some,
and for others q place OF torment
that no words can deonTibe. Softly
and sweetly the answer came that
gave the heaven laden gift Of q pure
woman's heart into . mans keeping.
Let cynics say - they will, love
puriHes the grosser elements OF our
nature, and We become more live per
feet beings, - our love is holy and
exalted.
Adrian sought an interview with
the Judge the next morning, and the
engagement Vas ratified by parental
consent and blessing.
Al the days went by, the faint
murmurs OF war became louder and
louder. Little heed did the fond
lovers give 10 these angry mutterings
ID frst, but - they became more
elamorous, Adrian became interested
in the great question that was agita
ting the whole civilized world. and
he determined 10 take up arms for
the South. Those were stirring
times, when grim visaged war
sounded its fierce alarms ever a
country but recently 10 peaceful, and
the youth and chivalry OF the South
eagerly responded to the cry ITO
arInar'
Mabel Nichols saw all these prepa-
rations with q shrinking heart. She
knew Adrian would have TO take up
arms, and thas their contemplated
marriage would probably be deferred.
II will not ask you TO be mine,"
Adrian said, until this inevitable
conflict 10 ended. My life belongs to
my country, and l will not bind you
by wife's vows and perhaps leave
you q widow"
do not speak thus, Adrian DEAR"
Mabel murmured, tears rising to her
eyes. II love you. and separation
or even death, could not change my
love. have promised to be your
wife. ard will keep my promise at
any time YOU say. This may seem
unmaidenly. but at time like this
all reserve should be thrown aside.
and the heart alone he heard"
But Judge Nichols decided that
the marriage had better be postponed
until the impending conflict be de
cided.
There at last came a day when
Adrian Arden stood before his be-
trothed in q captains uniform.
Thoroughly soldier like and hand
some he looked, aud Mabel's heart
throbbc1 exultingly AZ she looked
upon her hero. Parenthetically: 1t
10 a we'll established fact that an |
ugly man. very common looking in
Iced in citizens clothes. becomes
into q hero by the
'trappings OF war" in woman's eyes;
md when he il fortunate enough to
be- really fine looking. he is exalted
ito demi god.
II was q splendid morning, and as
he sun rose in ito radiant beauty, its
,eams seemed 10 contain rays Of sad
,ess. Tho young. the old, fathers.
mothers, brothers, sisters, wives, all
vere filed with indescribable emo
ions. TWAS the morning that the Ga.
~ 10 leave for the "front." This