The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-05-29

love. She did not reject him, but asked
for n week to decide the important
question. She felt that she must not
leave her invalid mother, nor could she
give up the only one, outside of her
family, whom she had ever loved. But
the night before he went away they took
a farewell walk Itwas avery silent one
Just as they came to little rustic bridge
she stopped, looked him squarely in the
face and said:
''Mr. FELTON,, know you are waiting
for my answer to the question you asked
me few days ago."
He took her hand in his and drew her
to scat at the side of the bridge.
81 have given it, oh! so much anxious
thought. l cannot give you up, neither
can give my consent to the engagement
now. am too young yet, and l could
not think of leaving mamma to the care
of others. We cannot keep up even an
intimate acquaintance without its COM
ing mammals knowledge, and it would
worry her so if she knew. 1t must rest
in this way: In two years from now |
shall be nearly twenty-one. III at that
time the circumstances are such that it
is best, l will write to you, and then you
may come TO me. But until that time
all must rest"
Long they sat there feeling that they
could not be separated, but at length the
farewell was said and they returned to
the house. Ross left the next day,
sufficiently recovered in health to go on
with his studies in the North. His
friends at home thought him much i'm
proved, but they believed it to be entire
ly owing to his regained health. They
did not know that the memory of dear
little girl was always with him, seeming
to lead him in the way which would best
| fit him to be worthy of her when the
time came that he might claim her as
his own.
AS for Ina, she seemed only the sweet
child to her father, but her mothers
eyes saw more. They saw true woman
developing from the child--One capable
of loving fervently, wisely, and one who
was worthy of all the love she received.
SO the two years passed by-happy
years to the father; watchful, anxious,
hopeful years to the mother; to Ross
FELTON, two restless, busy years. But
Ina's time was filled to OverfiOwing with
joy mingled with sadness; with hope;
more than all, with love.
On the last night of the second year
she came to her mothers dressing room
to spend the twilight hour there. After
time of silence Ina looked up into her
mothers face, and, with glistening eyes,
whispered the whole story. Mamma,
may l send for him?' she ended.
Her mother drew her into her lap,
and holding her as though she was
child again, gave her consent and bless
ing. MY dear child" she said, sit
seems as though l can not let you go,
but | know that even though you take
him into closer relations with you than
even have had, you have only given
him new place in your heart the love
for us, your father and me, is unchanged.
Yes, send for him, and may God bless
my darling daughter"
She did not speak of it to her father
then, but going to her room, she wrote
this letter:
Dear Mr.. FeltOn:-The time has now
come when l may write to you what
hope will give you joy. The two years
have passed. During that time some
changes for the better have taken place.
Mammals health is much improved, and
mine as good as ever. During these two
years have been true to you. The love
which began while you were here has
remained, growing more and more
strong. Now / may bid you come TO
me. Mamma gives her consent and
blessing l have not spoken to papa yet
but shall show him this, which will tell
him all. Write me soon. Sincerely,
INA.
She laid the unsealed letter on her
fathers desk. When he read it he was
puzzled, surprised, and then understood
it all. With trembling hand he wrote,
God bless you both," and placed the
letter on Ina's table.
The next day Mr.. Earle was going to
a small adjacent town to do some minis
terial work. Ina asked that she might
accompany him, for she thought, 81 will
mail it myself; then shall be sure it is
all right With her thoughts in far
away New England, she went to the
little post-office dropped the letter into
the outside letter box and returned home,
thinking only of the joy it would bring
to her lover.
A week went by 81 shall get my an,
swer soon," she thought. Two weeks
passed; no answer. But the mails here
are so uncertain one can't depend upon
them" she told herself, "and it will
surely come tomorrow But tomorrow
came and went, and brought not the let
Itls iO NCtho lhtO
Still no answer A year passed, and she
had given up hope. In that year she
was changed. People noticed it, but did
not know the cause.
"Other people have their own bur-
dens," thought Ina. 81 must not make
them bear mine"
Nearly five years went by, and in those
years she schOOled herself into outward
calmness, and was, seemingly, the same
girl, only little sad, perhaps, and more
womanly. But one day (oh, that blessed
dayD there came letter addressed to
her. The writing looked familiar. She
opened it and read:
Dear Miss Edrie:-The accompanying
letter reached me only few moments
ago. l hasten to answer it, hoping thus
to make a very intricate matter straight.
| have not been incOnstant, and only
feared that something had turned you
against me. There is no blame attached
to you. My darling, may come now?
Can you love me still? Ross.
'My poor, dear boy!' was all she said.
One of the enclosed letters read as fol
lows:
Mr.. r. FELTON,: DEAR SIR:-The other
day, while tearing down some old build
ings in this place, that new brick ones
may be erected, the enclosed letter was
found between the divisions of the outer
wall, having probably been dropped into
the insecure letter-box some years ago.
Trusting it was of no great importance,
| send it in with this. Respectfully,
J. r. EATON.
The other was her own little letter,
written so long ago. She wrote back:
Dear R0ss:-Yes, come. INA.
Needless is it to tell you of the joy
that filled those two hearts-aye, more
those, for the look of sadness on Ina S
face was displaced by one of restful joy
which could not fail to brighten the low
ing heart around her.
As for Ross, his companions wondered
what could have happened to him to
make him so cheerful, for he had
changed from one of the most solemn OF
Young ministers into one with the bright
est of views, theological and otherwise.
, He had been ordained in the ministry
J some time before, and had been called
! to thriving church, but was hesitating
as to whether he should accept this or &c
} as missionary to Africa. One little
} letter of five words did more to convince
: him than all the arguments, pro and con
that had been brought before him. II
seemed 10 snow MIN clearly tnaJ he wac
l not needed in Africa, and it also showed
= him that he was in very low condition
/ physically and that few months in the
sunny South, in Florida, was the only
I thing that could save his life.
} Let us draw the veil over the happy
meeting, few days later in the far of
] Floriday town. Why need we speak oi
: the quiet, peaceful life which Rev. Rosi
0 FELTON, and his wife spent in the pretty
, northern village, whore "our pastor il
a SO beloved by his flock and 'our pastor
p wife" is considered near approach t.
S nerfnctinn2