The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-06-05
A True Love Story.
by CATHERINE NEWELL.

by CATHERINE NEWELL.
Or rather, a story of true love. 1t be-
gan before the cruel war, and ended-but
has it ended? True, one chapter on the
book we call time, is finished, locked with
agolden key, and laid away in the archives
OF the past but as its leaves were turned
by the two whose lives were one, what
radiance born of love cleaned from every
page, and shed silent influence upon The
hearts of those around; an influence wild.
ening as rays of light diverge, reaching
perhaps through all time into the cease
less ages ofeternity.
Pretty Darling Graves might we'll have
said, with Wordsworth's little cottage
girl, Nay, we are seven,' for though
there were only two. brother and sister,
left to roam the green fields together, five
little graves in the cemetery within plain
sight of their stately home spoke mutely
of the hand of the destroyer; and when
Darling was born, such a wee mite was
she that the old nurse shook her head,
pointed significantly over her shoulder
toward the row OF tiny headstones, and
muttered,-
"There'll soon be another one"
Everybody else thought the same, for
the little spirit wandering away from the
realm of unborn souls came all too soon
upon the stage of earthly existence.
Dame Nature had not fitted out the little
tabernacle of flesh, nor was the old nurse
ready with the soft, embroidered fannels
the laces and ruffies, that were to envelop
the new new born babe; there were no
nails on the velvety fingers and toes.
the mothers wedding ring, itself a dainty
circlet, slipped quite easily over the baby's
wrist, and the entire little body of this
mite, this atom of humanity. found ample
space within a quart cup. But the
mother love was ready, and enwrapped
her babe in softer folds than fleecy cotton,
and the father bowed reverently and
thanked God for the little casket that
a soul.
Now, partly because of the great love
that dwelt in their hearts. and also be.
cause no one could think of name suit
able for such little dot, they called her
Darling. Afterward, when she grew large
enough to be carried to the baptis1nal
altar, she was consecrated with a new
name; but no one ever thought of it;
Darling she lived and Darling she died.
At sixteen she was a lovely, graceful
girl with wonderous dark eyes and an
artless manner that won all hearts, a
little wilful and opinionated. perhaps, as
became one whose every wish had been a
law; who had been first in every heart,
from the gallant older brother down to
all the remote cousins who paid homage
at this shrine of beauty.
About this time tall and bearded NJ. |
D. hung out his shingle in the little coun-
try town where Darling lived, and COM
menced the practice of medicine. How
ever, he was not burdened with the
duties of his profession, and found ample
time for many of the gayeties natural to
youth. He speedily made acquaintance
with all the young ladies, was an i'm.
portant factor in every picnic or pleasure
joined the village choir, and
on Sundays sang with lusty good will
only exceeded by that of Brother Hawk
ms, who always led the meeting before
the innovation of the modest little organ,
and who. when under good Roadway,
able sometimes to put the whole choir to
rout. Winter and summer the young
people met every Saturday afternoon to
practice singing in the little red church
under the hill. Dear little church! long
since discarded for a more pretentious
edi6ce that rises grandly from the top of
a lofty eninence; what fond associations
linger round thee, what vows oflove were
breathed even under the shadow of the
by those who afterward stood
with clasped hands before the altar, and
ratified those VOWS in the sight of God
and the world!
1t was soon noticed that when the sing
ing was as its height, DR.. Deane and little
Darling would wander off up the dim
aisle, or seek refuge on the sofa but half
by the high, old-fashioned pull
pit. At this the knowing ones would
glance at each other and smile.
One afternoon they fingered here unit,
the last loiterer had disappeared; then
as they slowly rose to go, DR.. Dean laid
his hand upon the Bible in the pulpit and
said:
eff were good enough to stand here
you would marry me, would'n you?
think you are too near perfection your
self to marry anyone except preacher
The words were uttered carelessly, with
the intention of paying an idle compli-
neut. The thought of making a pro-
posal of marriage had not entered her
mind, and it was with surprise and con-
sternation that, looking down, he saw
the blushing face and trembling form OF
his companion. She raised her eyes to
his, those dark, wonderous eyes beaming
with the light of love-the frstlove of
pure and innocent maiden's heart-yet
withal with questioning look that
quite disarmed him. He reached out his
arms, drew the doubling heart close to
his own, and spoke her name, Darling"
with an accent so new and tender that
all fears vanished forever.
Willis" she murmured, calling his