Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-01-22

Seating myself on a.projecting beam,
gave myself up to pleasant recollections
If the eventful week which had just
passed. Ipictured my fairy boat sailing
over friendly seas and under clondless
skies, until life being done, it was an
chored in heaven. had no fear for the
future if one dear hand was to guide me,
one thrilling voice had come to know
so well was to cheer me.
How good and noble he is! | thought
with a swelling heart; how altogether
superior to all other men / had known;
how worthy the love and respect of any
woman. | had never been in love be-
fore. had seen great deal of society,
and received several offers, but none
were eligible, and when mamma said
mo, = had without pang seen father
turn them away.
There was a step behind me, and my
heart told me who it was.
How did you find me?" l asked as
Mr.. Brent pushed aside my dress and sat
down on the same team.
Don't you suppose / have followed
those little footprints until know the
slender tracks - he smilingly answered,
pointing to the impression in the damp
sand, of my high-heel walking boots.
Isn't this scene grand? One never tires
of looking at the ocean, for it is never
twice alike.
He was silent moment, and seemed
more thoughtful than usual. gatheringa
handful of the white sand and watching
it sift slowly through his fingers. At
length recovering himself. he said;
Sing something. please; YOU know
always like to hear you sing, in season
and out Of season. The sea will be bass
and accompaniment
be an the old, old ballad, Three
Fishers Went Sailing Out Into the West
As my voice rose loud and full, swell
ing over the water with the melody and
diving away to the sounding mono
tone of the waves, looked at my com
panion. His face was turned seaward,
and over it was a softened expression,
and in his eyes tender light had never
seen there before. though my heart ceased
beating my voice was too well trained
TO faller, and the music walled ON.
"For men must work and women must weep
Though the harbor bar be moaning.
The sad chord did not touch him; JOY.
and faith and hope held possession of his
soul. How his thoughts irradiated his
somewhat stern features. 1t was the face
of the one man in the world for me, but
did not know it could look SO hand
some.
When the last echo of the song was
lost in aretreating billow, he turned, and
taking my hand. said in the courtly maa-
ner that never forsook him:
Thank YOU ! did not know there
was so much music in that song. Ihave
heard it often bfore but never like that.
Your rendering Of it adds hundred
fold to its meaning. And now | want 10
speak to YOU on a subject that had not
intended to mention when ! followed
you here.
His bronzed face took on a ruddier hue,
and the firm fingers closed over my hand
in nervous clasp. while unnoticed by
him | lowered NV snnshade between his
face and mine.
II know | ought to have waited until
YOU were at home, and | had meant to,
but something impcl, me to throw my
self on your mercy. and find out my fate
before YOU leave love your sister Mil
lie with all my heart. as / never loved
any one before, and ask your permis-
sion to tell her 50. l do not think she
regards me wholly with indifference.
will take ami cherish her as a precious
flower. As m, wife, time and wealth
shall not be spared, and | am confident
that somewhere may be found a cure
for her infrmity. VIII you intercede in
my behalf, if she hc,itates 10 comit her
self to my care; Plead for me with the
assurance that it is love. not pity. feel.
Knowing your great influence her over,I
want to beg you for the sake Of our pleas
ant friendship to use it in my favor.
A cloud was gathering on the deep,
the waves looked dark and angry, and
fancy saw my love boat reel from side to
side and then go down, swallowed up in
mid-ocean.
At the call of the company we joined
them, and | went home, as / shall go
through life in daily sight Of their hap
piness, with never line on my face TO
tell of my loss- Bell Barnard.