Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1894-05-04

Isaac, and l, will be honest and say
that in spite of the length of his dis
course the simple old man drew tears
from tho congregation MS he pictured
the sublime faith of Abraham and his
trust in his God.
declined the ride home in the old
carry-all md strolled homeward, mind
tul OF Mr.. Perkins's last instruction:
"Mind you're back in time for dinner
We don't have but two meals ON Sun
day. should have liked Miss HazoPs
company, but fear it is too soon.
She might have refused.
So the happy care-free days 20 on.
1t does not take long for Hazel and
me to beconme tho best of friends.
Such walks rs we take; Hazel, with
her big red Irish setter, and myself.
We fish, not in the shallow brook that
runs through the meadow, but further
down, where the little brook has
widened into quito stream.
When have been there about three
weeks Uncle Lauton comes down and
develops rs much activity MS myself.
lie docs not seem to know what fntirue
means and tramps i'll MI directions.
Instead of staying two days he stays n
week, and leaves in the best OF spirits.
"Pll be down again before YOU como
home" are his parting words MS the
train starts.
Yes, he docs come. He comes every
Friday and stays until Monday or
tuesday. How he enjoys It'll 1t does
mo good to watch him. One morning
Hazel (Which Hazel" have chris,
tened her) and L go out for stroll.
She carries book of poems under
her arm and L know where we shall
stop. There is grassy scat under tho
willows and near the Witch's ford, rs
Hazel calls the stepping stones.
Witch Hazel throws her broad
brimmed Int on the grass and opening
the book hands it to me. I always do
the reading while she pulls the clover
heads and listens silently. To-day she
has handed me Tcnnyson, open Mt those
mournful verses, some of tho most
beautiful lines ever written, think
Break, break, brcnk,
On my cold. gray stones, o sea
Ana would that my tongue couId uftcr
Tho thoughts that arise in mo!
TOOK up and say: "unzcl, love
YOU" She springs to her feet.
''A1r. Lauton!
Indeed do, Hazel" us 1 rise from
my place Mt her feet.
At this sho retreats or rathcr ot-
tempts it, but [ nm in the way and sbo
turns to tho Witch's ford. The stones
are slippery from recent rains. She is
trembling and slips when in the mid
die. or course she could not drown.
but she could soil tho dainty muslin
dress and spoil tho pretty slippers, SO
take her in my arms and carry her
back. She struggles to free herself
but Lwill not let her go until she an
swers me.
Finally she gives in and says:
u do love you, Harry. There Docs
that satisfy you, you silly boy?" with
wondrously tender look from the
bright brown eyes.
Tho next day finds us Mt tho same
place, and as we throw ourselves ON
the bank, she with her head on Mani,
neck, she says:
Harry, where will We live when we
are married?"
L start. Married! I see I have n
hard task before mo. She does not
seem to understand that this is merely
II summer pastime. How ignorant these
country girls are.
my dear little girl, putting my arm
around her, "'why look forward to the
morrow? Let it take care of itself"
eyes; but we will be married Some
day, you know"
Listen, Hazel" L shy gravely. .T
am III no position to marry now. Let
us love each other this summer. we
will enjoy every minute of the time;
but when l. go back to town we mnst
forget this. You will marry some one
some day who is worthy of you"
"Mr. Lautonl Hnrry!'' with pite-
Gus look.
L know it would never do to give in.
so L say, firmly: 81 mean it, dear.
We will be happy this summer and not
look. forward to the winter"
leave me-, she says, impcriously.
81 want to be alone and think"
I try to kiss her, but she waves me
back "Not now" with shake of her
head, and L go. up the path. lam still
where can see her and hear us she
talks to Nap.
''He doesn't love MS, Nap. He was
only amusing himself. He doesn't care
a bit how much he hurts lis. Oh, Nap!
Nap !" and she pu.s her face down on
the dog and cries bitterly.
This makes me feel very uncomfort
able. l have just started toward her
when she raises her head, looks at the
dog and says: 81 have an idea, Nap,
a brilliant one. No, am not going to
tell it to you," MS the dog wa$s his
tail in sympathy; "but we will get
even with him, Nap, OF am not Hazel
Deanc."
She wipes her eyes and, calling the
dog, walks slowly homeward. The
tears are still near her eyes, but I can
see that thought is fast drying them.
draw back that she may not see me
and do not go in until ten timo.
The next day she gravely asks mo if
L will take walk, and L assent with