The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-06-02

ueeu NV CautiOu yOu W nsotu all iueus
ticn Of my name, or, should we meet
here, anv sfecognition of
Yours truly, JuNIA ST. JOHN.
Later stranger visited the small town
to buy land. After wavering between
Rocky Point and Tangle island till Nor.
man was nearly distracted between hope
and fear. he suddenly grew enthusiastic
over the Point as he and Norman stood
watching the sunset light fade from the
sky and sea.
Magnificent the finest view along
the coast. Mr.. Ferris what will you sell
this lot for2"
"What will you give me an acref"
"Well," and the lawyer deliberately |
viewed his surroundings, "such q situa.
tion is really worth $50. but I'd be will. |
Ing to give you $40, cash down"
7 sDo you. mean that, air r asked Nor
man with suppressed eagerness.
"Why, certainlys and if you agree to
that price, we'll make out the papers to-
morrow. Pm in hurry to get back
home. What do you sayP"
"If you are satisfied certainly am"
he replied as In dream, and few min
utes later he was rushing over the cliff
to his home.
He burst into the little parlor and see
ing only his mother musiug in the twi-
light, he caught her in his arms and cried
out:
20 mother, mother! I've sold Rocky
Point for 5000"
But his voice broke. He sank down
in chair and covered his face with bis
shaking hands. He had brsvelv fought
with trials, but this unexpected deliver
ance completely unnamed him.
"Norman, my boy, never thought
you cared so much," quavered the wld.
ow, with her hand on his bowed head
s.It was everything to me" came
thrillingly, and Junia stole noiselessly
from the room, her own eyes full of hap,
2y tears.
As the school year waned, Junia grew
pale and thin. She had worked hard
and been most successful, but it had told
upon her physical strength, and to the
unanimous request for, her return to the
school, this fact was the excuse for ber
refusal. She was general favorite in
the village, and to the inmates of the
Cliffs cottage she had grown very dear.
tits said that opposite natures attract
each other, but whatever the tempera-
ment, there is always subtle sympathy
| between noble minds which tends to
draw them together. This was the case
j with Norman Ferris and Junia. Each
saw in the other intellectual and moral
affinities, 8 taste for like pursuits, the
same yearning of soul to make life use-
ful and exalted Circumstances may
/ separate them, but such natures turn to
each other as naturally, as the magnetic
needle turns to the north.
Junia's school closed with grand pic
mic, a JOYOUS occasion, but as the loved
teacher was to leave Sandy Cove the fol-
lowing day, it closed with saddened
faces and fearful good-byes.
1t was evening, and in the moonlight
Norman and Juuia we're taking their last
row around the little bay. The beauty
of the night, and the thought of the
coming separaiion kept them silent till
at length Norman rested upon his oars
and looking earnestly into the fair face
before him. spoke in low tones:
"Have YOU any regrets at leaving us,
Miss Junia p
"It could hardly he otherwise, when
j my life here has been so pleasant. /
should like to teach another year, bat
, fear my strength will not permit"
"You are right. You do not know
!, how have longed to save you from this
drudgery. 1t is plain that YOU are not
accustomed to labor. and it is all the
: harder for you. o, Junia, let me save
, you from toll and care. l have little to
:. offer now, but nv prospects are fatter.
t ING. know am not worthy of you,
a and so l have been silent all these
months in which you Rave been con-
2 stantly nv in thoughts, but love you
Junia, and. cannot let you go away in
e ignorance of it. NV life shall prove I
: Il you will but stay with me-" He paus
t ed for her to speak. Her voice trem
bled little.
j, 81 have no near kindred IN all thu
: world, and in my loneliness you
words seem very sweet to me, but ! mus
4 tell you secret before more is said.
!, am not obliged to work. My fathe
wished me to teach this one year, and
/, thought it hest to assume the role OF th
: dependent teacher, not dreaming that th
= deception would proves serious one.-
o Believe me, l thank you sincerely 70
d your wish to save me from care, and
feel honored by your preference"
t "If I understand Alright, you are al
/ beiress in disguised questioned Nor
d man. bitterly.
s.Some would so express it," she re
j. piled.
: Suddenly he epquired almost fiercelY
o "Did you buy Rocky Point7"
Is She grew trife paler, but bound t.
b be true, answered bravely:
ir Through nv lawyer, yes"
el His face flushed hotly, his pride wa
,rl wounded, aud be spoke very coldly:
y "The money has been of inestimabl
D, value to me, hut l cannot thank 20
N now, and furthermore, Miss St. John.
Or Withdraw my suit until my position &C
ID mits Of nv wooing "a hs!rs s -"
ID There was only the sound OF the oal
le as be rowed rapidly TO the shore. !uni
D.. sat pale and silent in the stern OF th
lie boat, wondering if wealth mnst eve
to prove curse to her, and il it would ,
ly last shut her out of heaven She watcl
ed the rapidly nearing shore and kne
ryl that henceforth they two would walk
I'd separate paths Then her cry rang out
u 80 Norman! the ledge"
at Too late; the frail boat crashed upo
a the sunken rocks, and they were stru.
ct Cling in the water. Never before hs
y Norman forgotten TO keep the cham
e. that entered the cove. The shock, Il
plunge into the cold, dark water was to
to much for Junia, and ii was an uncol
lis scious form that Norman supported {
is he swan to the shore. He carried b
ny up the cliff path to his mother, und
be whose care she soon recovered. But
. l that brief space when she Law as II II
he had departed be felt what it would he
nd lose her forever, ard pride was conque
er ed