The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-09-01
Her One Love-.

Here 1 stand in this old shop sur
rounded by all sorts Of castof furniture.
The carvings on my frame are etched in
gray with the dust of many years. and
the briliancy of my face is partly gone,
giving me an appearance anything but
like the reflective beauty of my youthful
days.
My owners customers do not speak Of
me in enthusiastic praise, as they do of
these old spinning wheels and grand
fathers clocks around me, for am not
quite old enough to be considered valu-
able as an antique" and still my his
tory may be as interesting as that Of my
fellow objects.
Away back in the years stood in the
boudoir Of beautiful maiden. Daily
she looked into my face, and in return
scanned her closely and saw that her
sweet face was the truthful outward in
dication of q beautiful mind and true
heart.
watched her progress from girlhood
to womanhood as one would note the
gradual unfolding of bud into the half
blown blossom. My Gladys was one Of
those magnetic creatures who uncon-
sciously attract every one with whom
they come in contact. Her friends were
innumerable, and her girlhood passed
with only happiness and freedom from
care. 1t did not seem strange to me,
knowing as did the beauty and good
ness Of Gladys, that many lovers should
come to WOO her.
One May day when all natures crea-
lures were awakening with new life and
the trees and vines about the old home
were donning new coats of green she
came to me, and as the beautiful eyes
looked into my face saw that something
unusual had happened. Always bright
and happy, Gladys was never more so
than now. A tender light shone in her
eye. saw her take from her bosom q
letter, which she read slowly and then
pressed to her lips. ''AhT' thought, 81
have seen this experience come to other
maidens, perhaps to mark the beginning
Of their greatest happiness, and again
well, my prayer is that this dear girl
may know love only as blessing" AS
time passed my wish was most album
dainty fulfilled; could see the expression
Of perfect trust and content upon her
face and knew that her lover was in ev-
cry way worthy Of her.
That summer passed with a Aeetness
never before known by those happy
lovers. From the window opposite
which stood could see them, now
strolling through the shady wood on the
other side OF the road. again on horse
back canteTing along the shady bride
H. -
young friends, but moro often those two
alone. But, alasI there came day when
trouble forced his unwelSome presence
upon them and wove about them his
threads Of suspense and perpleHty I'M
til their meshes were so closely latticed
there seemed to be no way out. Hope
forsook them, and the happy light died
out of her eyes.
War, cruel war, whose muttered
threats we had long striven to forget,
had at last begun to execute his terrible
promises. For Issonths complications
had been arising, and our once peaceful
country was transformed into q woefui
state Of dissension. Even in our quiet
little village, so secluded from the noise
and turmoil of the world, we began to
hear mutterings Of terrible things. Be
fore we realized the terrible truth that
war was upon "a mastering officers
came, and after day or two left bearing
upon their rolls the names OF orr bright
est and brevest men. Gladys lover was
among the number Of loyal men who are
willing, IL necessary, to sacrifice all for
their country's sake.
One gloomy day she came into her
room, and as she passed me I saw that
her eyes were heavy and tRemulous with
tears. The look OF misery on her face ]
shall never forget. She seemed to be in
the deepest despair. knew a. once that
the day Of sorrOw had come. Gladys
and her lover had parted, perhaps for
ever. az would not have you otherwise
than loyal, dear" abe had said to him,
''but it Is agony. this struggle between
our patriotism and ouE love fog each
other"
Inhis reply there seemed an effort to
be hopeful
sweetheart, 1 VIII surely return.
Then think of our Joy in 3 future to-
gether."
.I cannot believe it. Ny heart tells
me that shall never see you again, she
eoETowfully replied
His words Of hope and comfort were
Of no avail. and with her heart crushed
with haunting forebodings the last sad
words Of farewell were spoken, vows Of
eternal fidelity exchanged, and he Was
gone.
None but I knew OF the nights Of grief
she passed IN secret. How N utter
hopelessness she would moan, ..Oh, my
hesrt Is brokea!' often wished that I