The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-04

0rees won't telD, she promised to be mine,
When few days after that she started
to New Orleans to school our vows were re-
newed.- Amola wanted to go with her, but
DR.. Wilson said she must rest a year.
was glad of that, for in the absence of Rima
l naturally turned to Amola as the most
suitable person with whom 1 could while
away the tagging moments. In the many
long weeks that followed, in our almost
daily association together, found in the
reserved Amola genuiness and strength
OF character that are the real ornaments of
q true woman. found that her kind heart
had made her the idol of all the tenant
families on her father plantation. Up to
this time had observed her only in a social
way, and in society is poor place to form
a true estimate of character. It is said that
the vast majority of marriage unions must
be entered upon with no better acquaint-
ance between the parties than 10 afforded
by the misleading social world Doubtless
the All-wise Master knew that a perfect ac.
quaintance would render marriage obsolete.
In company people generally show to the
best advantage, but not SO with Amola To
admire her most one must watch her faith
fulness IN the discharge of the daily duties
OF life; must observe how she forgets her.
self in SEEING opportunities to assist others,
especially those below her station / do be-
neve, aunt, IL my life was as unselhsh and
useful as hers. would never have that
ANSeiCSSiCSo VI tndI QlVln0 QlSCOn-
tent with self, that now often interrupts the
levity OF my thoughtless hours But to
go on with my story. One day, several
after hima left. Amola went riding on hep
spirited pony and joined her on one of UNI
cle's horses. We rode rapidly along, con.
versis about many things of minor impors
lance till we were several miles from home
1t Is uncertain how far we might have gone
had not breeze set in and a sudden and
rapidly approaching cloud threatened to
drench us. We turned our horses home
ward and had reached the entrance of a
long level lane when the drops began to
fall. Amoa gave her pony the 'reins and
darted away like an arrow down the lane,
She gained steadily on me- and as she
turned the corner at the end OF the lane by
a spring, she waved at me triumphantly.
But as my horse turned the same corner
his feet slipped on the moist earth and he
fell, knocking me senseless against the
ground When l opened my eyes, Amolas
was bending over me sponging my faoQ
with her handkerchief. started to rise al
once, but she told me that she was my phyA
siclan. and l must wait a few moments, but
not feeling much hurt, soon limped to mN
horse and rode home. Amola left mo At the
gate, and said she would send her father
to poultice my bruises. When DR.. Wilson,
came he found two ribs broken, besides q
sprained ankle He said Amola was grieved
over my fall, and felt that she was the
cause of it, I answered that for me to BID
any source of regret to her would give md
more pain than the slight injury had sus%
tained. We talked about her for some time
"She wants to go to school another year,
said he, land she is so much stronger now.
that shall send her next fall; but to sep-
arate from my only child for a year 10 the
hardest thing l have ever tried"
As we talked about her who seemed to me
the embodiment of all the virtues of true
womanhood, I forgot that I was hurt. Af-
ter this 1 was confined to my room for q
few days, during which time Amola occas
slonally sent me flowers. AS soon az was
able to be out she came In her carriage one
pleasant afternoon to take me driving.
When I saw her my heart bounded like d
thing alive. longed that day to talk free
ly to her about my feelings, but remem-
bering what l had said to Rima, every
principle of manhood sealed my lips and
inwardly cursed the fickleness of the hui
man heart. -
Next morning I received a telegram from
father to come to Memphis and stay in tho
bank during his absence, and have not
seen Amola since. 3+-
Yes, Aunt 1 must be true man, and
would stay this afternoon and have you to
help me plan my actions consistent with
honor, but Amoa entered school here yesi
terday, and I have permission to call on
her at O'Clock, and 1t is just ten minutes
till that time now, so must take the next
car. You may keep the diamonds while
longer. c.