The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1895-05-01

mental pictr~es of our future, for I
have long felt that you would some day
come into my life and reign as queen
over my heart and home. Your father
is growing old, my dear one, and will |
no doubt soon be satisfied with the
proud distinction he has won by life |
long service of his country, and will |
seek retirement that he may pass the
evening of his life in peace and quie-
tude. will be able to lay wealth at
your feet, and in lovely home some.
where, with that good old man as our
especial care, we will live surrounded |
by halo of love which no clouds can
ever dim. Is not the picture pleasant
one to contemplate?"
Beautiful! Beautiful" she replied,
her face glowing with the new Joy
which filed her heart, "and pray the
dear Lord that no cruel blow may fall
to crush our hopes. VIII you not now
use every endeavor to secure your dis
charge from the service?"
"You must be patient, dear one.
must have time to think what is best
to be done. And now, Alice, we both
have part to play. 1t must never be
known that word of love has been
spoken between us. | fully realize
your position, and know but too well
the reproach which would be cast upon
you were it to become known that you
had placed your affections upon a pri-
vate in the ranks. and we must guard
well our secret until | can come for
ward as man and claim the dearest
prize God ever held within the reach
of lovers eager hand. Take one as
surance to your heart, my darling. l
will never claim that prize until can
do SO as one who stands your equal in
social life, and who can face your IA
ther as man to man and ask him for the
priceless treasure he so dearly loves"
80, fear can never hide my love-"
she replied in tremulous voice. when
l see yo- my eyes will tell the story
plainly as words, and when address
you in the presence of others my voice
will proclaim that which prudence
bids me conceal. will be very happy,
Edward, yet very impatient for the
day of your deliverance to come. Will
you not try to hasten it?"
eyes, Alice, l will. After a day or
two when have had time to fully
formulate my plans will write to my
aunt, and the dear old soul will follow
any suggestion may make looking to
my release. 1t will not be long ere l
can claim my-my-little-wife."
Her breast was filed with a strange
rapture, and smile of radiant joy lit
up her fresh young face. For more
than an hour they sat there upon the
rock lost in blissful dream of love, he
painting bright pictures of future
alight with roseate happiness, she
drinking in his every word with
rapturous delight. The sun slowly
sank behind the San Mateo peaks
flashing back great showers Of golden
light to tinge the feecy clouds with
rare colorings Of transparent lowell
ness. More and more brilliant grew
the radiant colors as the great orb Of
day withdrew it's face from the grand
panorama of plain al mountain, until
the whole western skies hung as 9
| golden canopy above the mighty range
The lovers sat and gazed upon the
wondrous picture in blissful silence un
til Alice softly whispered:
ut is an omen of good, my beloved
A forecast of our future when our mar
ital skies shall be ever tinged with
golden radiance from the never setting
sun of love-"
| fro ne Continued