The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1890-04-05

ingly; ssbut let It be a. you say; and
perhaps you are right Goodbye, and
may Heavens choicest blessings DO
yours "
He clasped her to his breast, regard
less of her mothers presence, pressed
one long, passionate kiss upon the pale
brow, and was gone.
''About time you were married, Flor
ence, / should say" remarked Mrs.
Brown, sarcastically, as the weeping
girl strove to pass her. "a pretty state
of things indeed Remember, Mr.. Bent
calls this evening, and you must see
him."
81 will see him, mother" was Flor
ence's quiet reply, as she turned to her
own room.
That evening Mr.. Bent called, and
Florence came down to see him, calm
and unrufaed, to outward seeming. as
usual; the storm had passed and left NO
visible trace.
But almost in disgust she compared
the noble, handsome man who had that
afternoon offered her his love, with the
conceited, purse-proud coxcomb who
took her love for granted.
About two months previous Mr.. Wes-
ton had first met Florence at the house
of his uncle whose church she had al
was attended, and with whom she was
great favorite. the old man often play
fully calling her ''his city missionary
and indeed she had earned the title
fairly-always ready, always ON hand to
look into call of distress, or wait
upon q bed of sickness. An untiring
teacher in the Sunday-school, which at
first she had attended as q pupil, Flor
ence was q valuable assistant in Mr..
Hendon's parish. And for these past
two months she had been much thrown
in Mt. Weston's company, as his uncle,
Mr.. Hendon, taking advantage of his
visit, had left him the care of the parish,
while he himself went away for change
which his health had long called for.
"Miss Florence will act as your assist
ant" he had said at parting; and Flor
ence had smilingly acquiesced.
ssYou would make good clergyman's
wife, Miss Brown, said Mr.. Weston one
day, as they slowly wendell their way
homeward from visit to sick family
where Florence had UNEXPECTEDLY met
the young missionary.
She colored deeply, but did not reply.
"How would you like to be mission
airy, Miss Florence?"
s'Above all things" she replied, ar
IDENTIFY, and her face glowed. 1T has
been the dream of my life"
ut is indeed a noble ambition" he
continued, musingly. 'sOne feels as if
life is not all in vain, when it is spent
for the welfare of others. But your pa
rents have other views for you, hear"
and he looked at her closely.
Florence turned away her head, and
in low voice, replied:
81 believe So"
81 am going OUT" he continued, as it
changing the subject; 81 am intending
to return to my mission labor next
month. / never expect to see this
country again"
Florence caught her breath hastily,
but she asked quietly:
''Do you go alone?"
mo, not alone. also am engaged
to be married. My-my wife goes with
me-"
"Do you loye her?" the words had
passed Florence's lips inadvertently,
and she would fain have recalled them.
Her companion looked surprised for a
moment. but he answered. quietly:
81 thought / did, at least believed
so; until came to Brooklyn. And now
l think-but, Miss Florence, here is your
door, and your mother looking for you.
So good-bye;" and raisinghis hat to Mrs.
Brown, he passed on.
Ten years later, and Florence is in
her husbands wealthy city home. She
has changed greatly changed. Her face
has acquired cold, hard look never
known in earlier days, and her mother
complains that Florence is 80 unsympa-
thizing. And unsympathizing perhaps
she is, for her whole nature seems diff
ferent. Tied for life to man whose
love she never cared to win, even had
he any to bestow, she soon began to feel
that for her nothing remained but the
lavish expenditure Of the wealth for
which she had been sold.
Gayety she had never cared for as a
girl, but since her marriage she had
rushed into every excitement with q
feverish eagerness AZ II to drown re-
morse.
One child had come to her, and for
two years she had lavished upon it all
the pent-up love and affection of her
heart; and then it had gone; her idol
was snatched from her by the hand of
death, and she was left more than ever
alone.
In . far-on country lives . hard-work-
ing missionary, with his wife and two
children. She is good, quiet little
thing, and her husband loves her; but
she is scarcely adapted to her hard po-
sition, and not much of helpmate to
him in his labors. Their oldest child
IA GIRLS called Florence, and the
wife often wonders why her husband
u \ 4 =