Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-07-14
MARY MOORE.
AN oLD-FAsH1oyED LOVE STORY.

L
and first cousins. My first recollec-
tions are of boy, in red frock and
morocco shoes, rocking cradle in
which reposed a sunny-haired, blue
eyed baby, not quite year old. That
boy was myself-Harry Church; that
baby was Mary Moore.
Later still l see myself at the old
school-house, drawing my little chaise
up to the door that Mary might ride
home. Many beating have l gained
on such occasions, for other boys be-
sides me liked her, and she, l fear,
was something of a firt, even in her
pinafore. How elegantly she came
tripping down the steps when | called
her name how sweetly her blue eyes
looked at me, how gaily rang out her
merry laugh. No one but Mary could
ever bring her heart so near her lips.
| followed that laugh from the days OF
my childhood till | grew an awkward,
blushing youth l followed it through
the heated noon Of manhood and now
when the frosts Of age are silverlng
my hair, and many children climb upon
my knee and call me father, | find
that the memories of youth are strong,
and that even in gray hairs l am fol-
lowing the music still.
When | was fifteen the first great
sorrow of my life came upon my breast.
l was sent away to school, and was
obliged to part with Mary. We were
not to see each other for three long
years. This to me was like a sentence
of death, for Mary was life itself to
me. But hearts are tough things after
all.
left college in all the flush of my
nineteenth year. was no longer the
awkward or embarrassed boy. l had
grown into a tall, slender STRIPPING,
with very good opinion Of myself,
both in general and particular If l
thought of Mary Moore, it was how l
could dazzle and bewilder her with my
good looks and wonderful mental at
tainments, and never thinking that
she might dazzle and bewilder me still
more. I was coxcomb, l know, but
as youth and good looks have fled, l
trust may be believed when | say
that self-conceit has left me also
An advantageous proposal was made
at that time, and accepting it | gave
up all idea of professor. and prepared
to 90 to India. In my hurried visit
home of two days | saw nothing Of
Mary Moore. She had gone to board
ing school at some distance, and was
not expected home until the following
May. I uttered a sigh to the memory
of my little blue-eyed playmate, and
then called myself "a man" again.
In year, I thought, as the vehicle
whirled away from our door, will
return and if Mary is as pretty as she
used to be, why then, perhaps, l may
marry her
And thus settled the fortune Of a
young lady whom I had not seen for
four years. I never thought of the
possibility of her refusing me-never
dreamed that she would not conde-
scend to accept my offer.
But now | know that had Mary met
me then she would have despised me,
Perhaps in the scented and affected
student she might have found plenty
ofsport but as for loving me, should
have found myself mistaken. India
was my salvation, not merely because
of my success, but because my labori-
Gus industry had counteracted the evil
of my nature and had made me bet
ter man. When at the end of the three
years l prepared to return, l said moth
ing of the reformation of myself, which
I knew had taken place. They loved
me as l was, l murmured to myself,
and they shall find out for themselves
whether I am better worth loving than
formerly.
picked up many token from that
land of romance and gold for the
friends I hoped to meet. The gift for
Mary Moore I selected with beating
heart it was ring of rough virgin
gold, with my name and hers engraved
inside-that was all, and yet the sight
of the little toy strangely thrilled me
as I balanced it on the tip of my fn-
ger.
To the eyes Of others it was but a
small plain circle, suggesting thoughts,
perhaps, by its elegance, of the beau
tiful white hand that was to wear it.
But not to mellow much was en-
bodied there-all these delights were
hidden within that little ring of gold.