The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-14

mortgage, too, upon the place that threat
ened her with trouble, and Hetty had no one
with whom she might discuss business mat
ters, so entirely had she and her grandmother
lived to themselves. But her love for the
quaint old house was as that of all her kim
dred, and she resolved in some way to live
and die beneath its roof-tree. Day and night
she turned the problem in her brain, and
prayed for a speedy solution of it. Hetty
had assisted her helpless grandmother to re-
tire and then strolled down to her favorite
seat on the low wall under the wild cherry
tree. A young moon curved its bow in the
purple sky the dew fell down like silver
beads, and once again the lonely woman
listened to the faint, far call of whip-poor-
will in the distant meadow. How the past
returned to herl
AT times" she whispered, softly, as mem
ory broke within her past control, II do be-
lieve John loved me- Why could not have
forgotten self, pride, shame, everything and
tried to understand? So much seems clear
to me now. But we Barnets were ever taught
to suffer in silence-and so he went for ever.
All! mel | wonder where he has been all
these years? He told me he should never
come back but did not believe him. The
giving up all he possessed to his nephew
proved how mistaken l was-how right were
all the rest. Ten years. How long, how
longr'
Hetty pressed her hands over her eyes, and
the hot tears trickled through her fingers.
She brushed them vehemently away.
He never intended to marry. I know it.
Nor do l. But it is lonely life-a lonely
lifel"
Plaintively came the cry of the bird.
Hetty was alive with memories, and she
started.
Just so the bird cried out when he said
good by"
Her head sank on her arm, and the shadowy
night folded her in sad reVeries
'Hetty! Hettyp'
Softly, tenderly the voice, out OF the long
ago, penetrated her dream of lost love.
"John!''
A firm footstep sprang into the shadow
strong arms lifted her out of it into the star
light, and Hetty knew the hour of her joy
was come.
Il have returned to find youl" cried her
lover, triumphantly. 81 dared not believe it
until l saw you here alone My nephew is
married, thank God, and you---you, my only
love, are free, and mine! Neither riches nor
pride could tempt you. When 1 learned
this, dared to hope my earlier dreams had
not misled me. And you have always loved
me, Hetty?'
II do not think a Barnet ever loves but
once, said the happy woman, between smiles
and tears.
But, you remember, your grandmother
gave me to understand"
"Ah." interrupted Hetty, elasping her lover
as though she might again lose him, 'remem-
Der also that a Barnet never reveals her love
unasked. Grandmother could not know the
way of my heart"
What plans the stars and leaves were wit
nesses to that night one cannot know, but
Hetty made no delay to wed with her first
love, and the quaint house received another
inmate.
Still picturesque and moss-roofed, it stands
beneath its gnarled old trees, and children's
voices that call Hetty mother" are heard
merrily knocking the robins in the spring
time
Peace, plenty and happiness dwell therein
and one is fain to say: There is no love like
the old lOYe.n