The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-01-15
1.-THE GIRL | LEFT
BEHIND Me"
By JOHN BRIDGES

the mothers had been at Mount Hol-
yoke together. and the boys had been
ut Amherst and had graduated in the
same class. Holyoke ard Amherst are
not far apart. geographically. and on
walks about the Connecticut valley the
four had fallen into company. After
ward there had been two weddings.
and the two new homes were establish
ed In the same western city. The heads
of the families went into law practice
together. and the firm has lasted until
this day. more than twenty-five years.
When the children were born il was
quite natural that the boy should have
been named Arthur Scldcn Hamilton,
after his fathers partner. and the girl
Angela Hamilton Selden. after her
mothers schoolgirl friend aud compan-
ion. Arthur was almost year older
than Angela. and a year Is a long time
in the ages of youngsters.
When. after their high school days.
IL was decided that both should go to
college. they left home on the same day
thurs father ana Journeyed eastward
10 the Connecticut valley.
Angela took her mothers old room
at Mount Holyoke. and Arthur became
established In his fathers old quar-
ters at Amherst. Somehow, though,
after few friendly and rather home
sick calls Arthur fell into the athletic
spirit. For the four years that he was
in Amherst ana Angela was mt Mount
Holyoke he s;Iw her but little. She
seemed To him 10 be the same little
girl he had known when they played
together OH rainy days in the attic. To
Arthur Angela had never grown up.
Afterward Arthur went abroad for
a years study. and Angela went to
visit some friends at an army post
farther west When Arthur came
home and found. instead of the school
girl he had known. a beautiful young
woman lie was scarcely prepared for
the change. II was all foreordained.
While he had seen pretty women
abroad and at Amherst had almost
proposed 10 girl al commencement
time lac had been practically heart
free. This vision Of loveliness who
kissed him frankly az a sister might
took his breath away. When he left
the Selden home that night il was
with the intention of winning Angela
Selden.
All that winter he saw much of her.
At the parties they attended. nj the
| theater or wherever he could make an
excuse 10 meet her he was her devoted
cavalier In both the families IL was
| regarded as Il foregone conclusion that
| there wOnld he another marriage Ia
| link the two families yet closer to
gctbcr
One evening Arthur called at the Sci.
dens' determined To ask Angela 10 be
his wife.
she must know" he thought. ''how
much | love her. If she will have me
I'll take the governors offer and 90
into the business with him right away
Then we can be married In the spring
and spend June In the Connecticut val
ley"
Arthur climbed the steps which led
up TO the Seldens' veranda. On the
vcranda sat Angela and u man in uni
form.
MIR. Hamilton" said Angela. 'let me
present my friend Lieutenant Aller-
tom
They shook hands. Arthur said some
thing about being li1d 10 see Lieuten-
ant Allerion. Lieutenant Allerton said
lsomethins about Ieiug charmed tn
meet Mr.. Hamilton.
There was some music. and Aller-
ton sang He sang well. and Angela
accompanied him ~ only sympa.
thetic musician can. Arthur felt a
lovers jealousy. why couldn't he
have stayed away Till tomorrow" he
thought.
Then mother AMI may expect "a
meet YOU on Tuesday in Chicago?"
Yes" replied Angela. and tell your
moihcr that | shall give her n great
deal Of trouble before we reach I.eaven
worth. for ] am going 10 make her tell
me cVerythin. about her boys at the
fort. You know fell desperately ia
love with every soldier there last sum
mcr"
Arthur stayed for few minutes aft
rr Allcrion had gone.
Are YOU going away?" he asked ir
dismay.
Yes she replied. Mrs. AhertoI
has asked mc to visit her for monti
1t i.ravrnworth. The colonel is th'
dearest oil man that ever lived. and
isn't Lieutenant Charlie just the hand
omcSt hoy you ever saw
Arthur said goodby hurriedly anC
talked mile, into the country. smoking
rcng cigars.
What u fool | am he cried. ''Wh!
didn't know about these handsom'
soldier boys that she says she fell 81
desperately In love withy But what ;
fool was not to tell her after Allertol
went away. I'll 20 ont again tomorrow
and tell her all about il aud make he
rhOuSe between us She must tell m
which she cares the most for
The next day hc received litll
eoOdhy note from Angela. saying tha
her father wanted her to ga on To Chi
cago for u day or twa with him. am
, as lac had hecn called away suddenl.
, she had gone The note continued:
Write To- me and tell me all tn
, we will finish that last round OF goli
, Remember you are ahead Of me now
but promise 10 practice lot At tn