Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-05-21
CHAPTER w.
Z EARS have passed, and Her h


i grown to be girl of sixteen,
Arnold handsome boy of eighteen.
1t appears to Arnold that a great
change has passed over Her, for
seemingly she has grown cold and
Indifferent toward him. She no
longer seems to bestow that love and
confidence upon him that she once
did, but nevertheless he longs,
wishes and prays for that effection
and trust. He loves her with all his
boyish heart, not so much the love
of brother for sister as that of a
lover for his sweetheart. His affec-
tion may be classed as idolatry, for
she is the idol of his every thought
and act. He does not mention this
to her, for he is confident that she
cannot return that love which he
hestows upon her and is too proud
hearted to speak on so touching a
subject, being sure of rejection.
Finally the day of separation arrives,
for he must enter one college and
she another. They bid farewell to
home, relatives and friends and go
to begin new life, a college life.
They enter the coach together, and
travel part of the distance with each
other, while they are compelled to
go the remaining miles apart. Ar
mold thinks it almost impossible to
part with Her for 80 many months.
His heart yearns for the love of this
graceful creature, and he determines
to tell her at once what is nearest his
heart, even though he must suffer
the consequences of a refusal, but
when he attempts to speak of this
his heart beats heavily and large
lump arises in his throat, making it
difficult for him to open his heart
before her, his ideal. She, too,
seems to know what he attempts to
tell and avoids it by chatting merrily
on other subjects.
90, Iler!" he at last begins, deter
mined TO carry his point, "little sis
ter, why do you shun Arnold whom
you used to love? Why have you
lost confidence in him and ceased to
treat him as you once did? Her,
beseech you to bestow some love
upon Arnold and think of him when
you are at college. Won't you
promise to do this ?"
"Arnold, how can you speak so
when you know I love you almost as
brother and trust you, too2 But |
cannot treat you as l did when l
was child; am older now.
"Darling Her ,, I cannot keep my
secret any longer. must tell you
what has been in my heart 80 long ;
that my love for you is greater than
that of brother for a sister it is
the love of lover for his sweetheart.
Just tell me that you love me, if
only little, and I'll be the happiest
boy in the whole universe. 1t will
enable me to perform my college
duties better, for the happy thought
will inspire me as / study"
eyes, Arnold, I love you devotedly
as brother, but, ss for the affection
that you wish from me, | must say, l
cannot give it,"
go, Her may l not hope? Give
me little encouragement. Won't
you endeayor to care for mep [ will
be miserable without your promise" j"
AS these words were spoken his
body trembled with emotion and one
of his hands tightly clasped hers, but
when she saw his extreme sorrow
her heart was touched and went out
to him in sicere sympathy, so she
offered no resistance. 1t was a
severe trial and caused much sorrow
and self-control for her to speak thus
] to one who had completely won her