The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-10-21
old man dropped down dead in his

Upon examination his affairs were
found to be in such state that it
/ took all his estate to satisfy the de-
imands against il; everything went
but the house and furniture.
| At first poor Amy, who was over
Ewhelmed with sorrow at the loss of
her kind friend and protector, was
too much engrossed to notice the
change that had come over her lover.
His manner became constrained,
and his visits more brief and infre-
louent. until at last they ceased al
together.
Then came letter of explanation
If explanation it could be called
stating that "she was tar too dear
for him to wish TO entail upon her
the poverty and wretchedness that
would necessarily follow his selfish
lly insisting on the ful6llment OF
their engagement He did not in
sist upon it, but gave her back her
4 freedom.
/ Amy's lip scurled with scorn.
Before this the clouds had begun
to break away that hid from her
ewes the real nature Of the man who
had taken such = strong hold upon
her imagination, if not her heart
now they were completely dispelled.
Nearly all of her gay associates
dropped away from her as well.
But Amy had no time to mourn
over the detection of these fair
weather friends;m her aunt was tax
en- dangerously i'll, and in less than
a week she too was laid In the
grave.
1t was a bitter cold night, and
John ThornIy vas seated by the
glowing CRATE in the cosiest and
pleasantest o. alfcozy and pleasant
rooms.
And yet, to tell the truth, his feel
ing were not of the most pleasant
description
He had Just heard of Amy's mis-
fortunes, and his big, generous heart
| was all aelow with sympathy for
her in her loneliness and sorrow.
How ! wish she was here" he
said to himself, as be glanced around
him. "There is plenty of room if
she would only comel"
But as John had made up bis
mind that he would go to the city
the next morning and seek her out,
he heard the rumble of wheels that
stopped at the door, followed by a
ring of the door-bell.
Then the housekeeper put in her
head. saying:
please, sir, there's lady come
in the stage. who says she won't
give her name and business to any
one but YOU
"Let her come in"
Only the quick eye of love could
have detected anything familiar in
the form SO encased in wrappings as
TO hide every outline from view, but
Johns heart beat fast as he saw her
enter. .N
But be made no movement toward
her until the door bad closed be
tween them and the curious house
keeper.
Then he approached.
1T is /, john" said half-laugh-
ing half-sobbing voice.
Instantly a pair Of stout arms
seated her in the easy chair before
the crate, and then the hands be-
longing to them began to divest her
of shawl, furs and cloak, bringing
into view the fair, sweet face that
was so dear to him, but oh, so much
paler and thinner than when he had
looked upon it lastl
You told me to come to you if |
was in sIy trouble, and l have come,
JOHN
"My darling! | am so glad. And
now you will stay with me always ?"
do you really wish it, John ?"
"You know that | do"
Warm and happy tears sprang to
Amy eyes as the arms that were
from henceforth to be her refuge for
all time folded tenderly around her.
II am wiser than when l left you,
John. for | have learned that true
and loving heart like yours is better
than gold"