Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-06-11
CHAPTER VIII.

dow, and Immediately after her de-
parture from Winderyille became
lost in meditations. For the moment
she forgot her little missive and did
not read its contents, but ere long
her thoughts returned to it, and she
drew it from her bosom. These are
the few words it contained:
"My Dear Little Sweetheart:
was unable to bid you the farewell
L desired, as SO many unconcerDed
persons were present, but you will
frequently. be the subject of my
meditations when we are separated
by many miles, and my earnest de-
sire is that | may occupy prominent
position in your thoughts, though /
feel confident that your sympathetic
and affectionate heart will never
allow you to doubt such sincere love
as | humbly place at your feet. l
shall endeavor to prove myself wor-
thy of your high esteem, and will
ever prize it above everything. You,
darling, are the idol of my every
thought and act, and your request
shall forever be as command to me.
If fate permits, / shall be delighted
to visit "Sunny Side" in the near
future for the purpose of arranging
matters concerning our marriage. |
long for the day to arrive when l
may claim you as mine forever.
Write me frequently, and never fear
to inform rue of those sacred feelings
existing in your heart, for other eyes
than mine shall never behold those
precious missives, and / shall await
their arrival with inexpressible
anxiety and fond anticipation. They
will renew my courage through the
long summer days. Her, be assured
that anything of interest to you will
prove doubly 80 to me. My affec-
tions can never be expressed by
tongue or pen, but, surely ere this,
you know that my love is true and
shall remain 50 until the end Of time.
Nothing shall change the feelings of
my heart one jot or little. May the
Great Ruler of both heaven and
earth bestow His richest blessings
upon you until [ arrive to claim you
as mine forever.
"From your devoted lover,
"Irby Wallace.
June 26, 1889.
"W. f. c."
Her had just completed the note
and was pondering DER its contents,
when she was suddenly aroused from
her revery by slight noise, followed
by a gentle tap on her shoulder.
Imagine her astonishmcnt when she
observed Arnold stationed near her.
"Will you not extend to me your
welcome, Her ?' cried the boy.
90, Arnold is it you? am de-
lighted to see you after our lengthy
separation," she replied, as he cor
daily grasped her hand.
She was distressed when she OBJ
served his altered appearance and
her quick eye at once detected a
melancholy expression which had
settled upon his brow. His face
maintained manlier and more seri-
GUS appearance. lie occupied the
vacant portion of the seat, by her
side, and they at once entered con-
versation. They informed each
other of their school work. lie,
also, had just graduated, at Jackson
University, with highest honors.
lie was an intelligent boy and made
a success of any task assigned him.
Her spoke of her progress in art
and she drew from her telescope
quite a collection of her college
friends photos and placed them, one
by one, before Arnold. Suddenly
hectic flush covered her cheeks, as
she threw another in his lap and
awaited his opinion of it. At first
he did not utter syllable, but finally
said:
"ller, this is a handsome gentle
man, and L fear, Judging from APP
pearances, that he is dearer to you
than mere friend. Who is he ?"
She rapidly covered it with the
photo of Mary Eta, as she replied:
Gle is an intimate friend of mine
and appeared happy to render me any
possible service and to make my col
lege life one Of pleasure. Of course
| would have no gratitude within me
should l not appreciate it all. He is
President Wallace's son, and this is
my dearest friend and room mate,
Mary Eta Jackson. | deem her the
purest and noblest creature it has
ever been my privilege to meet. She
has promised to visit Sunny Side
in the future and | feel certain YOU
will be charmed with her. Arnold,
| desire to show you one of my
paintings"
And she drew from her telescope
a likeness of Mary Eta.
"That is a masterpiece of art,
Her." replied the boy, as he gazed
earnestly at the girls handsome
uorL