The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-14
BETTER THAN GOLD.

/ Two persons stood at the garden gate
of Farmer Bray's cottage.
One was a tall, stalwart young feE-
low, with no beauty save a pair OF
dark, expressive eyes that lighted up
his face with look of intelligence and
goodness.
The other was a fair young girl,
whose ripping hair glittered like gold
in the sunlight that fell over 1t, and
eyes of the clearest and softest blue.
There was chaageful color in the
cheeks, and a conscious look In the
,averted eyes that :"lt rather than saw
the earnest gaze that was directed to-
ward them.
And so you arc going to leave US,
,Amy?"
Eyes, John; I'm going to the city to-
morrow. Don't yoa envy me? 1t don't
seem as il could sarvive another win
ter in this dull place"
John Thornly WINGED little at these
words.
"And yet you have spent many hap.
by years here!" he said, in tone Of
gentle reproach.
ITO be sure" RESPONDED Amy, with a
toss of the head; when was a child
1t was all very well. But Of late it does
seem as if Millbrook grew duller and
duller every day Of my life!'
"Then-t1fen you don't think you
would like to settle down here?"
Amy we'll knew all that lay beneath
those low, quietly spoken words.
At one time they would have made
her heart beat with very different feel
ings, but the newly awakened aspira-
tions of the past week changed them to
alarm at the crisis that was approach
ing, and which she was anxious to
avoid.
mo, John, / don't believe that l
should ever be contented to settle down
lin Millbrook,' she said, resolutely, do
ing her best to look unconscious of the
blow that she knew these words in
ficted on that loving and faithful
heart.
Then it will be Of no use for me to
tell you the errand on which I came
tonight he said, sadly; so that 1
will only wish you happiness in the
new life that is before you. In all the
gay and brilliant circle that will sur
round you, you will never find friend
ship so true and faithful as mine!
Should sorrow and misfortune over
take you, remember this!"
He was gone.
And as Amy watched his retreating
form, something deeper than sorrow
for his sorrow touched her heart.
, A thousand instances of his worth
and goodness thronSed upon her recol-
lection.
, Would she ever find heart as true
and noble as his?
But these regrets soon vanished be-
fore the bright anticipations of the fu-
ture.
Her uncle and aunt were wealthy
and childless. They had offered her
home, and in the refined circles in
which they moved she would be like
ly to find some one more congenial
with her feelings.
.
"Mr. Frederic Crowley called upon
me to-day, Amy"
A bright, swift color rose to the
cheeks of the young girl.
The face of the good old man sad
dened as he observed it.
Eyes, uncle"
"He told me that he called by your
permission.
The grave tone in which this was
spoken struck coldly on Amy's heart.
She raised her eyes to his with a
startled look.
Il am sorry to hear that, my child"
! why, uncle, what objection can you
have to Frederic Crowley"
Il have no faith in him, Amy. He Is
a snowy, brilliant man, but destitute Of
the fixed principles that can alone in
sure your happiness
you wrong him, uncle"
Time will show. Don't look so dis
tressed, my child; II you are really in
earnest, will not oppose your wishes.
But cannot but think your fancy to be
captivated rather than your heart.
Wait few months-you are both
young, and can afford to wait-and il
you continue to be of the same mind, I
will say no more"
Amy yielded ready assent to this.
"She was in no hurry" she said. But
she found some difficulty in reconciling
Frederic to this delay. who manifested
an impotence which secretly delighted