Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-04-26

As she gases, she sees ngnts pnnKing
out from the windows. Smoke, too,
floats up from the chimney.
Is it possiblep
But he dares hardly harbor the
thought.
She takes courage presently, how
ever, and with decided step and beat
ing heart she turns and walks into the
direction OF Lyndermere Lodge.
She stops not till she reaches the
door,
She knocks.
Then for the first time her courage
fails, and feeling Of utter faintness
overcomcs her.
She sees q glow of light-a face stern
and pale. yet familiar withal-and
then she sees no more.
For the second time in his life, Val
cntine Holcamp holds within his arms
the form of the woman he has loved,
yet failed to win for his own.
He had taken the crushed letter from
her hand, and is scanning tho envelope,
when at last her eyes open upon him
again.
II never saw it until half an hour
ago." she murmurs. Forgive me,
and tell me what it all means. Why
did you 60 away that SUMMER Why
did you never say your uncle lived
here?"
But he, too, is slow to comprehend
why she has come to him thus of her
own free will. He cannot believe that
1t is all real.
Tell me, Sylvia, dear one--tell me
only once that you came here to me for
no other reason than the wish to renew
the old tie-tell me this, and will
make the past clear to you"
II am Alone" she murmurs. as
though in extenuation of this act of
boldness. my mother is gone"
Tears filled her eyes, the color dyes
her cheeks, and Valentine knows at
last that Sylvia Devine is all his own.
Before l ask you to become my
wife. Sylvia, must tell you Of my past.
Yet let me DO brief, for the shadow has
hung over me for so long would fain
bid 1t flee for ever.
"My father was reputed to be
wealthy man at one time. About the
time of my graduation at college. how
ever, he had made some heavy invest
ments. They failed. and at the time it
became known that he had not only
dishonorably swamped much money
entrusted to his care, but had forged to
an immense extent. He fled the coun-
try. My brother widower with one
child (Jem). lost all he was worth
through his dishonest transactions. l
had not yet taken up profession, nor
had a prospect of business. With this
brand upon my fathers reputation,
there was small chance for me. / was
seeking business here in your town
when we met. l knew my mothers
brother lived here, and hoped for assist
ance from him. In this l was disap-
pointed. He was proud recluse, who
disdained recognition from a member
Of my fathers house.
'At this time l suddenly received
news of my brothers death, leaving
the boy to my care. had no time for
delay If l would reach him in time to
attend to his funeral arrangements.
Il had hoped to succeed 10 his posi-
ton in business, but lost it. strug-
gled along, scarcely able to live at all,
having Jem to provide for as we'll as
myself, when news came Of the death
of my uncle He had evidently re-
pented, at last Of selfish indifference
to US, and left his estate ip the city
which has always been rented-and
this hereto my brother and myself.
1t all, OF course, now adverted to my
self. believe it was feeling OF dis
grace which sent my uncle abroad, and
there he doubtless heard the details of
my brothers and my own situation.
In my poverty. Sylvia, and in my dis
grace, though you had grown so dear
to me, could not tell you Of my love.
Now, darling, if you think you can
overlook the stigma upon my"
But Sylvia stays the speech with her
dainty fingers.
Would be worthy OF your love If
gave one thought to thatP You have
been SO manly and noble that you de-
serve to be rewarded by love more
faithful than mine has been. But Valen-
tine, Love you now-as never before,
and l will make up for the past il you
will try me"
my wife-my own!"
And such through several happy years
she has remained. For tender memory
OF Valentines sad youth has made Syl-
Was love for her husband tenfold the
careless love of youth she would have
rendered without his knowledge.
Jem, the culprit, the mischievous,
brave, manly lad, whose stolen joys
once 80 nearly ended in destroying for
ever this glorious crown of his uncle's
life, lives with them still. though he is
fast becoming handsome young man.
Valentine has seen his father twice
since his marriage, has urged him to
end his days in their home. but he has
learned to find his only respite in the
complete isolation Of stranger among