Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1897-04-29
FROM THE GRAVE.
nv ANNA SHIELDS.

hut. knowing | have not many davx
lief, Of this earth's weary pilgrimage.
| write out the experience that has
made me poor man and a lonely one,
though. humbly trust. not n useless
che
Nearly Is years ago l settled in
GrrS ham, a village then. and taking its
name from the founder, who was ai..I
my uncle. Petrr Gresham. lie had
written 10 me. when I graduated from
the medical college. where he had paid
all my expenses as a student. that he
would give me cottage in the ViiIag.
and $500 in money, but after that must
make my own way.
The offer was n generous continu-
ence of kindness shown 20 me from bow
hood, when | was left an orphan and
rcnnileSs. gladly accepted il. and
went NJ once to Gresham, where nv
only rival was n practitioner nearly 20
Years old. Dr. Farnell. who occupied
cottage directly opposite to mine.
Being in easy circumstances and very
feeble, DR.. Farnell was more than will
ing to send me patients. until. gradual
IS. found he had transferred the " hole
practice OF the village TO my care.
lie took from the first a friendly in
terest in my welfare. and gave me much
useful advice and information. his long
experience rendering all be impaired
Of great value to a young physician.
Scarcely an evening passed but found
Ire az his cottage to discuss the cases
81 the day. In each and all of which he
took keen professional interest.
But. before had been a year in
Gresham. found my professional talks
formed bat secondary interest in
NV visits to DIR. Farnell's cottage.
hen these were over. and the aged
Doctor dox-sl in his chair. or nodded
over a book. Leonie farnell, his grand
daughter and housekeep-r. would touch
the piano keys to accompany her sweet,
clear voice in my favorite soIgs. or
would talk to me in her woman My way
of the patients. who were all friends
of her own. many of them her pension
ers- Let me try. looking through the
clouds that rolled soon between US, to
picture Leonie Farnell as she was in
that first year Of my love for her. Ny
love. say. for il sprnng into my heart
strong and undying the first time her
soft, brown eyes met mine in shy greet
ing.
She was pretty. but no wonder OF
lesuty,- her great charm lying in her
grace of movements, her low, sweet
voice and n gentle, refined modesty.
She had been carefully educated. but
had no brilliant accomplishments, pn-
less q gift of making home an altogeth-
er charming place may rank in that cat
eeory. Orphaned In infancy. she had
been the darling of her grandfather
heart. bot. dearly Is he loved her. he
vas never ayerse 10 my suit. He read
my hearts secret even before guessed
its depth. and in his quiet way favored
the friendship between Leonie and my.
eelf.
y year. the one bright year in my
solitary life. passed away. and / pre-
pared 10 speak to Ieonie of my love
l had waited until felt secure of my
position at Gresham. aud hoped 70
waken some warfner token of love or
Leonie's part. For even then guessed
Gimly. " hat know. and soon knew Ger
iain.y. that had won only q calm. sis
terly affection in return for the absorb
iBg devotion of my heart.
| l have said nothing yet Of my inter
course with my Uncle Gresham, ths
gTaudee of the little village, who's
large, handsome house was the center
OF attraction to all strangers, and W hos,
income was supposed To he something
of almost fabulous extent, aud really
was that OF a very wealthy man.
During that first bright year Ut N,
life in the village he had started, m.
intercourse with my uncle was as pleas
ant rs all other parts of my life. aus
was a frequent and welcome yisito
at his house
But in one trief sentence l may re
cord the event that wrought chang
in all-ny love, my friendships. II.
welcome at Gresham Place. My cousin
Sidney, Uncle Gresham's only child
came home from Europe, where he ha.
been travelling for five years.
From the moment when he crosse
tie threshold of his fathers house. an
found me waiting beside that father 4
give him welcome, Sidney Gresham
hated me. / cannot tell what demo-
of jealousy and distrust whispered i
his heart, but read in his chilly gree,
Ing that ] vas an unweleome thin
though l had come only upon my uu
eie's urgent request, and took my d.
rsrture early.
From that time ] marked n chang
In my reception at the house, wher
/ had been assured of most cordial we
come. aud my visits soon became thos
ex7eted BY my gratitude only. Ii hun
ne cruelty 10 see that my uucle's afTe,
ton vas being won from me, but ther
was a far more bitter cup soon to /
placed az my reluctant lips.
Sidney came TO DIR. Earuelrs as
guest sure of n welcome. to renew
Friendship only interrupted since DO.
hood By his travels. And the FIRST tin
saw him with Leonie knew why m
love had faiLed to meet its return
childish friendship had grown by tn,
! long separation into n life love. I'll
eyes that had ever met mine with ii
frankness Of friendship dropped shy
beneath sidney's gaze. while the chez
that had never changed eoior for IN
ffushed at bis coming. even before
spoke
| Yet I would not quite despair unit
J meeting them together, on hazy Jun
evening. walking slowly, as lovers wal
. heard a soft. signing voice whispe
II have always loved you. sidneyI"
In their happiness they never guess.
J my presence, aud shrank back bchir
! friendly tree till they passed me b
Z and were lost TO my sight.
: Then threw myself into my profs
/ .ional duties. trying so to feed my star
Ing heart. studying diligently. and gi
ing every case in my care ardent int
, est. DIR. Farnell guessed all my mixer