The record-union., 1899-06-25
A LIFE FOR LOVE.


| written for the Record Union by
Grace Hawkins.) -
Meeting Ben Gorden again after SC
many years, recalls an incident that oc-
CURED long ago. II
The speaker was handsome old lady
whose kindly eyes were turned toward
the form Of a man who walked with a
young and bouyant step; man OF
about 35, but whose appearance made
him look really ten years younger.
1t was fifteen years ago since the
incident of which I speak Of occurred
Indeed, at this late period, it seems
more like a. dream, as it would be
viewed by the practical world of to-day
than the sad reality that it was. ID
was a long time ago, but the events
are stamped on my memory as though
it were but yesterday.
My granddaughter was taken seri-
ously i'll; but after a long spell of sick.
ness, at last gained strength enough,
and by the doctors orders was taken
to a beautiful little place called Green
vile, on the banks of Moosehead Lake
A small. hotel accommodated the few
stray travellers that happened that way
1t was here that the event Of which ]
speak of occurred.
It was early in the spring, and the
winter SHOWS still lay in patches on the
north side of the hills. There were not
many guests at the little hotel; as
there We're only four beside our own
party; an elderly lady, her daughter
and governess, a Miss Walton, and the
gentleman whom have just mentioned
Ben Gordon, then about 20 years old.
He was, and is yet, a very handsome
man, and so thought Miss Walton. She
was a quiet, refined little lady with
big, solemn, brown eyes, that seem to
haunt me still with their unfathomable
depths. We could all see that Miss
Walton's one affection was for Ben
Gcrden;. and I was heartily sorry for
her, for her deep attachment to Ben,
met with not the slightest return.
I became well acquainted with him
during our stay in that beautiful spot
and found him a most enjoyable COM
panion and friend. He was polite and
attentive to all, not seeming to bestow
his attentions on Miss Walton any
more than the rest; but they were as
equally divided as those of a person
object He was not cold or Indifferent
to her; but it was simply unwakened
love.
AS watched Miss Waltonas dark eyes
follow him around continually, / used
to think ''Ohl why can't he repay some
of that silent devotion" for the poor
girl seemed to be giving her life to
him. One afternoon, as we were all
collected on the lawn, under the shade
Of the big NAPLES, enjoying our sup
per, and doing justice to the delicare
morSels of chicken and other viands
which the table afforded, CHANGED to
glance up and my eyes fell on Ben's
face. 1t was flushed, and his eyes
were travelling rapidly around the ta-
BILE. They rested at length on the de-
mure face Of Miss Walton, bending
quietly over her plate. After a mo-
ment she raised her eyes and met his
gaze. Her own face grew rosy, then
pnled again to a marble hue. She
finished her supper without again look
ing up, and went down to the lake,
seating herself on one OF the benches
that was placed there for comfort s
sake. He followed her almost imme-
dtately and sat down on the pebbly
beach at her feet, as we could see from
where we sat. He seemed no longer
Indifferent, and his face had q tender
look, but stu retained It's changed. abb