Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-05-01
Changed Yet True.
BY PERCY HERBERT.

The speaker, a tall, stalwart farmer
Of about twenty-three, leaned owe
Jennie Harmon as he spoke, with
pleading sadness in his large dari
eyes, that went straight to her loving
tender heart.
She was little fairy.like girl, dainty
and pretty, though brought up on {
farm, and accustomed to all woman
work there, and when Ralph Moor,
wooed her, he was the envy of hal
the young farmers there in his sue
cess.
But pretty Jennie was not a far
mer's daughter. though her mother
was daughter of honest Will Nelson
. sturdy countrymsn.
Pretty Susie Nelson had married {
gentleman, who was killed just two
months after his wedding day, anc
while making a visit to Farmer Mel
sons.
His widow had known nothing Of
her husbands family, but was, by his
will, heiress to two thousand pounds.
Her parents kept her in her old
home, but she died while little Jennie
was mere baby.
So the child had grown up with hei
grandparents, the income of her faith.
er's legacy giving her good educa.
ton at the village seminary, while il
enabled her to dress in dainty fash.
ion we'll suited to her pretty face and
trim figure.
When Ralph Moore, who had been
Jennie's lover while she was a baby
and he sturdy urchin, declared his
love, pretty Jennie, but seventeen,
blushingly consented to be his wife,
knowing the world held no one dearer
to her than her handsome farmer
lover.
There was no need to delay .he
wedding, for Ralph was "well to do
and Jennies patrimony could still be
used for her own expenses.
''The course of true love- was run!
ming very smooth when a letter from
London reached the farm.
A sister OF Wilfred Harmon's. Mrs.
Stuart, suddenly remembering the ex-
lstence of her brothers child, wrote to
invite Jennie to spend a winter in
London, and if she was satisfied, to re
main to travel for two years with her
aunt.
The royal little maiden would have
refused after the first sight of Ralph's
r1eful face, but her grand pa
rents would not allow her so to de-
eide.
They were pleased that her fathers
relatives, at even 80 late date, should
remember her, and lacking the ad-
vantages of education and refinement
for themselves, were ooubly anxious
to secure them for Jennie.
So after many and long discussions,
it was finally decided that Jennie
must accept Mrs. Stnart's invitation.
l was at the parting interview, in
the farm porch, by the light of clear
moon, that Ralph, with wistful earn
estness, spoke the thought uppermost
in bis heart
''They will make a fine lady of you,
Jennie, and you will forget me-"
Jennie's voice was very tender and
true, as she answered.
How can l forget my promised
husband, Ralph?"
"But your grandfather will not let
you consider ours binding engage
ment. He insists that you are to con-
ader yourself free"
"My heart will be yours, Ralph,
though should be away ten years.
You may trust me. I shall try to
ealn all | can while l am with my
aunt; but there is no fear of my ever
being fine lady. shall come home
n year or two, and he your wife as
promised"
"And in the meantime we are not
wen to correspond7"
"My grand father does not think it
best. But you can trust me, Ralph"
He looked down into the soft be.
eyes, SO earnest and true,
md felt that he could trust her.
Still. how many things beside want
# faith might come between them IN
he threatened separation?
And Ralph Moore's was not a tran
lent admiration.
lie could not remember when he
lad not loved Jennie Harmon.
There might be women more beau.
tful, more accomplished, but he new
bat no woman could ever fill his heart
q Jennie did.
10 Jose her, after he knew his love
vas returned, was cruel blow, and
ne fear of it almost unnamed him.
But there was no hope for the tenn
'orary separation.
Ralph was far too honorable to at
eenpt to influence girl so young as
ennie to defy the wishes of her
'nardians and he trusted her while
lis heart ached sorely.
1t was a strange new life upon which
he little country maiden entered, and
ne met much that was very delight.
u.