Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-11-09


had so long separated them. But "a
Jcssie's unsophisticated heart every
word was rs prcrious MS gold, II was
: the one perfect letter ever written; re-
storing IL TO its envelope she resumed
hor homeward walk, hardly conscious
that tho way was long and the heat
oppressive.
That evening, when Rodney Leare
made one Of his customary unceromo-
NOUS calls, he could not but perceive
that there was new barrier between
them. Jessie sat silent and absent
minded, and gave no heed TO his With
est sallies. Finding her in such an un-
amiable mood, he at once directed his
conversation to her father, when, maxi
ing some trllling excuse, she arose and
ie.t the room to return no moro that
evening. After perusing Hugh Man
nerlng's tenderly set words and smooth
ly flowing phrases she could not pa
tiontly endure the clashing discordance
OF hersomctime lovers rougher speech.
Rodney waited patiently awhile for her
return, and at last took his leave in as
much of n fret rs his sunny nature al
lowed him TO indulge in.
Autumn came, and the mellow days
and golden evenings were imbued for
Jessie Crofton with the glory and splen-
dor OF loves young dream. Never had
the hand of the Great Artist tinted the
woods and hills with such gorgeous
dyes; never did such vail OF beauty
overhang the dells; never did lakelets
lie in such n dream OF peace. Earth
was n new Eden, and reversing the an
cient order OF things, new Eve await
ed the coming of her Adam; and it
dimmcd not the brightness of her glory
that the one friend of her lifetime, dis
heartened by her frequent rcbuffs,
troubled her no longer with his pres
ence. Rodney Leare, grown trihe
silent and sad, striving to conquer
love which his better judgment as
sured him would never bring him con-
tentment or peace, went his own way;
and il sometimes his strong hand
warded the heavier burdens of life from
her weaker shoulders, she was still un-
recognizing and unthankful.
In the late fall the little household of the
Croftons was surprised by the receipt of
a letter from an almost forgotten cousin
of the family, whom the tide of fortune
had driven into the little harbor of
Glen Haven. The letter contained an
earnest request that Cousin Joe or some
of his family should pay the writer n
visit Only by the strongest force of
will could Jessie retain her calmncSs
until in family conclave it had been de-
cided that she should be the fortunate |
one to accept the invitation. Her father |
could not spare the time, and Aunt |
Ruth was only too glad of n little re-
spite from the niece's fault-fnding |
and general discomfort; and so the |
succeeding week found her safely
ensconsed on the stage coach, her face
bright with anticipation, en- route for
Glen Haven and Hugh Manncring.
There is something incXpressibly sad
in the utter ruin of II young life's first
romance. However unstable the foun-
dation, it was reared in touching faith
and purity of purpose. Happy the soul
that
"Rlsing on its wreck nj last,
To something nobler may attain"
Anxious to surprise her correspond
ont, in the letter mailed the day before
her departure Jessie had given no hint
of her intended visit to Glen Haven,
and the earlier part of her journey was
whiled away in happy dreams of their
meeting.
Towards noon the sky became over
cast, the wind rose in fury, and few
flakes, the vanguard of the forces the
Frost King held in reserve, came flying
the air. As the wind became
colder and keener, Jessie was aroused
from her happy dreams by n sudden
in her face, which continued
TO grow worse and worse, until by the
time she arrived at her journeys end
she was almost frantic with pain. Civ
ing the driver her cousins address,
with directions concerning her baggage,
she stopped at the first apothccary's
shop to obtain an opiate.
The low building which bore on its
front in hugo gilt letters the sign
Drugs & MEDICINES, boasted also
one, PosT-OFFICE; and as Jessie
reached the door, II man carrying n
bundle OF letters brushed past her. She
drew back with an instructive feeling of
disgust. To her sensitive soul there
was something inexpressibly loathsomc
in his presence His shabby black suit
was soiled and torn, his face was coarse
and sensual, and the bold blue eyes
seemed to stab her with their insulting
stare.
Striving to conquer her repugnance,
Jessie lowered her veil, and, following
him into the store, gave her order to
the clerk in subdued voice, and while
he was preparing the medicine cast
hasty glance to the farther end OF the
room where II number of men, talking
and smoking, were gathered around the
stove. As the seedy-looking individual
the group he was greeted
with shout of laughter. Cried one
voice, louder than the rest:
Whats the news to-day, Sir
HughP"
The reply came feurfully clear and
distinct:
1--WE got another letter from my
charmer, boys. Shall read it?" And
waiting for an answer he tore
open the envelope and began reading
aloud.
As the first words fell upon her ears,
Jessie grew faint and grasped the rail
ing for support. Then sudden rush
Of Indignation gave her strength to
stand upright and listen, with burn
ing cheeks and flashing eyes,
MS tho words - her own words,
written in all tenderness OF heart
and purity OF purpose-fell on her ears,
hv the rnndnr with cnnrsn