Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-04-03

Known tne pleasure OF the past weeks
that he had never visited those good
people But he was blissfully igno-
rant of the pain in the young heart
that loved him so silently
The morning of the day that he vas
to say farewell, he asked Ellenor to
accompany him in morning walk
She assented, and after walking and
conversiDg pleasantly for some time,
he said:
Come, let US sit awhile on this
mossy seat under that old elm tree
before US, my little friend, while
tell you secret that j would like to
confide to your keeping before say
goodbye
And he drew her down beside him
and told her how he loved one whom
he had left behind him, and that he
expected to return TO make Ier his
bride. He spoke of her beauty and
her winning lovclincss, and closed by
saying that his fondest wish for his
little friend was that he might some
day hear that she was SIS happy as he
soon expected to be.
Could he have seen the livi6 hue
that oveTspread the face that was
shaded by the large straw hat, he
would have been gTieved, aht deeply
grieved, ut the secret written there.
Bat so full of love was he for his
absent one. and so interested in his
own thoughts and words, that he did
not observe the outward sign of that
inward suffering, or the tremor of her
voice as she struggled 10 reply to his
words.
She soon proposed 10 return to the
house. and by mighty struggle she
seemed as calm rs usual. and when
she extended her hand at parting, the
tear which would force itself to her
eye was noted only rs the tear that
comes when we say farewell 10 those
we love rs friends.
1t was a parting full of sorrow 10
Rudolph, and sadly he missed his
beloved Captain for many days.
checred sometimes by the hope thai
he would soon return, for he had now
and then thought that his friend and
sister had learned TO love each other,
and he earnestly wished it might bc
SO; how gladly would he have con-
signed his beloved sister to that one
whom he honored and esteemed so
mighty. And as his sisters cheek
grew paler and her step less light, his
hope only strengthened, believing she
was signing for the return of her lover.
But aiasl how CIR very hopes
GGce:"G U.s. for soon-tile news OF his
GGPtain's marriage came, and then he
knew, :sh! realized, the sad truth that
his sisters heart was breaking.
We vii! leave Rudolph and EIlcncr
for awhile. and lock in upon the home
OF newly welded bliss.
Happiness reigncd iiiere, FOR the
Rev made wife was indeed very happy
in the love Of that great and noble
man.
Some years rolled by, bringing TO
shadows to that pleasant household
save the letters that now and then
came f.oln Rudolph. telling of the de-
clining health and spirits of poor FL
lcncr.
AT this sad ncws, the kind heart of
the Captain was sad, for be still re-
tanned warm friendship for this love
" girl, and knowing. too. how his
young friend loved his only sister, he
felt much for him. -,
At last 4 final letter came. Rudolph
wrote that his sister was diving, and
her only wish was to sec her old friend
once more.
His gentle wife, full of pity, said
at once, go, my dear husband;
wonld not have You stay away. Go,
and give her all The pleasure and com
fort you can L Will not stay here
alone, but will visit. my home and
sisters during your ABSENCE"
To this her husband asscnted, and
after he had baGc her goodbye and
placed her in her carriage, he turned
about to hasten his own departure.
but with heavy heart, prescntiment
OF coming evil seemed to haunt him.
This he cnGeavored to put off,
thinking it came of the sad news from
his distant friends. whom he dreaded
TO meet i'll their great distress.
After days journey, he was met
by Rudolph coming for him. And rs
they rode, side by side, lie told the
Captain Of his sisters approaching
death, how she had at last disclosed
to them her long guarded secret. but
one which he had discovered, and how
he blamed himself for ali he had done
in encouraging her love for ono whom
lie believed free. Oh. yesi lac said.
she is dying now, and her only wish
is TO behold you once IHore. We could
not deny her this last request.
These unexpected revelations filed
the good mans heart full of sorrow.
sorrow for the pain he had so un-
knowingly inflicted, and far doy7n in
his noble heart he wished he had never
gone to that home whose peace be had
so unwillirgly destroyed.
1t was bleak, wintry day, and the
| wind wailing and moaning around the
house Of mourning as the travellers
reached it, made those aching hearts
beat but the faster with sitting emo
ton.
Though EIIenor's life was fast pass
ing away, she knew him whom she had
never ceased TO love, and smiled sweet
II upon him Gs he bent over her
unable to give utterauce to the
,1oo,,