The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-16

Would he not not join her soon? And
might not the pleasing prospect all
around her soften her heart toward him
and his love?
Could he have seen Amy at that mo-
ment his face would have been less
bright, his heart less 'buoyant.
She was reading, with happy, i'm
passioned eyes, letter from Rob
Stewart. She had received it the day
before. and not soul knew of it but
herself.
my Own True Darling: At last am COM
ing to claim you. MY home is very humble,
only a log cabin, but love will glorify it, and
we are Young / have had hard time, but 1
would not distress you with my troubles until
they were so far over that could see daylight
ahead -,
| tell it when am by your side. God bless and
keepyou. Always your own ROB.
With this precious missive on her
breast it was little wonder, with her
constant and steadfast nature, that
Hugh Peterson's handsome possessions
failed to impress her.
Pretty Nellie might rave and wonder
and pout that the chance of being
mitress of The Oaks" was not given to
some one who would appreciate it
meaning herself, of course-but her
sister went serenely on her way, only
conscious that her lover was true and
was coming very soon to claim his
wife.
Three days later, as Mr.. Wilson was
standing at his front gate at sunset,
watching to see that the cows were
properly brought home, young man,
neatly dressed in a well-itting business
suit and wearing the happy air of
man at peace with himself and all the
world, approached him unnoticed, and
surprised him by grasping his hand
cordially and exclaiming heartily:
"Well met, Mr.. Wilson! [ am bound
| for your house, and was just thinking I
ought to have talk with you before
saw your daughter"
''Wal, Rob, your comm is so suddent
like, | am that TUX back l skercely
knowed ye! Bin putty hearty sence you
went west?"
Something in his tone and manner,
coldness utterly at variance with his
habitual warmth and heartiness, struck
an unpleasant chill on the young mans
heart.
eat first 1 was sick, had chills, and
they almost used me up. But | went
still farther west, into Utah. and since
then have been all right, " briefly, and
with his clear, steady glance striving
to read the meaning OF the old farmers
uneasy manner.
rs you settled that fur west? That
thars long ways from here. Pears
like you might almos' ez well be dead"
rubbing his hands slowly and looking
down the road.
The young man laughed lightly.
"Oh, no! It's fine country, and
you would enjoy a trip out there. But,
Mr.. Wilson," very seriously, his frank
face growing positively handsome with
the tender light which broke over it as
his pleasant voice deepened, Il have
come to carry your daughter back as
my wife. We have loved each other
for years. Have 1 your consent?'
The old man turned slowly and
looked full into the clear, frank eyes.
'fHev We Il home fitten to take her
top
mo, not good enough; it is only q
log cabin, but it is paid for, and own
good farm and plenty of stock. 1t
will be hard work for few years to
pull through, but we are young and
strong and we love each other!'
Now, Rob, it won't do. My gal hez
bin keerfully raised; never done no
hard work in her life. An you liven
too fur away. Amy's the baby, you
know, an we all set by her nightly.
Besides
Here he hesitated.
what else?n
The young mans voice had lost its
pleasant ring, and his face was pale and
stern.
oval, dunno but l better tell We
all bout it. Hugh Peterson, good
and likely lad. ye remember, and thrift
ty and forehanded, is acourtin' the
child. Her mothers heart is sot on
seein' her his wife. and I'm willin' to
low that feels jes' the same way"
A minutes silence followed these
words, when nothing but the deep
breathing of the young man broke the
stiffness.
Both were too absorbed to notice a
graceful figure coming leisurely down
the road, swinging her hat by its rib
bons, and dreamily watching the sunset
slowly fading into night.
You mus give her up. Rob, sarten
and shore! Eff you do that, she will
marry Hugh, fur it don't stand to
reason that gal O. sense would 90
runnin' off from all her folks to that
pesky Utaw to live in log cabin and
work herself to death, when here, right
at home, is a good-lookin' man, rich
enough to dress and keep her like
lady, jes' nachully dyin' fur to marry
herr
Here low but joyful cry was heard,
and Amy, rosy, palpitating and tender
faced, stood before her lover.
Both hands were outstretched, and
Rob, as he eagerly clasped them, for
moment lost his self-control.
Remember what tole We, )" said Mr..
Wilson, almost roughly, as he noticed
the girls happy face. ''Ye cayn't have
her,"
amy" and her lovers voice was
almost stern in his effort for self-mas-
terry, You know that L love you with |
all my heart and that your happiness
is my first thought"
''Well?" expectantly, and with ten
der, wondering eyes fastened upon his |
agitated face.
Il am but poor man. and as my |
wife your life for years will be one of |
toll and privation. If you marry Hugh |
Peterson, ease and luxury await you
My darling it is hard to say the words,
but l free you from your promise"
She gaZed into his face for a moment, !
and reading there his undying love,
laughed softly.
''And this is my answerr' she
breathed, raising her arms to clasp them
around his neck, and resting her head
against His throbbing bosom.
What man that ever loved could re-
sist that?
Certainly Rob Stewart could not, and
Low -Nff al. a.
two hearts in this world of trouble and
sorrow believed themselves in paradise. |
Did Amy ever regret her choiee?
Oh, no! Love glorifed her life, and
crosses and hardships ceased to be such
when met by the brave and happy
spirit which contented heart always /
brings.
Ease and wealth came at last, and
merry children grew up around her
hearth, and sheltered in her husbands |
love life was sweet and beautiful