Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-12-30

- UVuAu wy. ne WAS just elkuI years
old when he came to live with us;
and he stayed until, well, until he
married her. You knew Eunice? She
was handsome girl, IL l do say it.
Far prettier than l. 1 never did count
much for good looks, but for all that
! took pretty well with the beaux.
But didn't care jot for any one Of
them but John. He was five years
older than l, and from the time was
e mite Of three. my constant compan-
q ION and protector. How he did stand
by me II there was any fracas at
school, as there always was more or
Z less with part of us on one side. and
part Of US on the other. Well, matters
( went along smooth enough until was.
nearly nineteen. Then the first and
hardest trial l ever had to contend
with. came like thunder-bolt from
4 Z clear sky. s
John and became engaged on my
eighteenth birthday, and father and
mother were well pleased. Don't very
often happen that way, does it? But
et did In our case. You see, i was the
only child, and John was fine, man
u Fellow, fully capable or making rms
{ own way In the world, and always
s like 4 son to father and mother. How
8 they loved that boy! They never seem
ed quite the same after he disappoint-
ed them so. And to think they never
knew the truth. oh, 1t was shame
kuli But there. must not Judge her.
! She was young and thoughtless. and
sorry enough In after years. I'll show
you the letters some time, 1t was
them that wrought all the mischief.
They were written while was West,
Waiting my mothers brother and hts
family. You see, dear, Eunice and l
were the best of friends, and never
/ suspected till afterward how much
she cared for John, but never blamed
her for taking him when he wanted
her.
II tried to think 1t was the Lords
viii, and stayed West two years try
\ lng to reconcile myself to the newt
able. Then mother was taken sick,
and came home, John and Eunice
had a little one by that time, and some.
how those baby fingers helped to heal
the breach; and before knew it was
& loving Johns baby as well as did
him, only in a different way, perhaps,
for there would come times when 1t
seemed as II my life was a blank. They
We're apparently ilt SO nappy, ~ so lone
", trying 10 crush OUT tne love now
Yet " q SIN % harDor. somehow,
though. II survivea tne years; for
John 10 as GEAR 70 me to-day. my
child, as IN tne long ago. when be-
meath the appie-Dougns ne placed this
ring upon my nnger. y was In the
fair spring-ume ana tne old orchard
was Ike cream OF maryland.
Again the sweet voice quavered and
broke. ana tear dropped rom the
d0Wn-cast eyes ana gnttered like a
diamond on the worn circlet OF gold.
Once more memory carried her back
! % the time when she was light heart
ca girl, with not q cloud to dim the
5 sunshine OF the hour; when beneath
{ the apple-boughs she plighted her troth
I 20 the man she loved.
An child. she resumed finally, IF
my HE could nave been like that nj
ways; put ~ was hot destined 70 be so.
Metninks, sometimes, the trial was
needed TO strengtnen ana perfect what
\ otherwise might nave Deen q weaker
character; one that knowing naught OF
trouble. ialied IN tnat aeep sympathy
Tor less lor OH mortais. how We'll
y remember the Gay ! received that
letter. ie!t sure y was from John
oy tne Wrllng on inc OUTSIDE. You
see. she had imtated nus mana 50
closeiy that iaiied 70 detect the dlI-
Terence = posslDls ! was more than
usually pieaseu y receive IT. US u was
ssYeral Gays .a.sl .han on former o C