The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-06-11
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After Many Years

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When Brownell boarded the train
and started away for his last year at
college. he felt like new man with a
great and unalterable purpose in life.
lie had just babe his fancee. the
grave. sweet-mapnered, lovely Maria
Ramsely, goodbye; but he felt SO sure
OF her and of himself that he enter
tained no fear Of anything arising that
could alter their love for each other.
III anyone had told him that nine
months later he would be kissing an
other girl farewell, he would have
laughed in his informer's face at the
absurdity OF such an idea.
How 1t all happened. he. himself,
hardly knew. A friend had engaged
rooms with the semi-aristocratic Ben
son family, who lived conveniently
near the campus. II was thebe witching
daughter Alice that met him at the
door and showed him TO his room. He
liked her looks that day-everybody
did AS the weeks went by he was
charmed by her blithe. chaming ways.
There came a time when he took her TO
a college function; and then followed
a dance or two. There were little tete-
atetes in the hallway and he began
10 wander into the parlor of an even
Ing, when he was weary from his stud.
les. IL was like strong tonic TO
leave his books and spend an evening
In her company, listening TO her sing
ing her witty repartee and her riot
Gus laughter. watching the ever chang
Ing expression of her handsome, dark
eyes.
He had told Maria Of the first even
ing that he had spent with Alice. but
he had soon ceased TO mention her In
his letters. That was after he had be-
gun to feel little guilty. For grad
ually. almost imperceptibly. the letters
that had held such an inspiration for
him lost their power to please and
strengthen him, and by-and-by there
came at times sneaking, half-wish
that he was free from his promise to
the girl at home. so that he might en-
JOY. with clear conscience, the pleas
ure he found in the company OF the
one present But he would rather have
taken his own life rather than break
the heart Of the loving. noble, faithful
Maria. He would stay true TO her at
all odds.
But. for all that, there was a pang in
the parting with Alice Benson that cast
a cloud over his love for Maria and
darkened the pleasure Of his home
coming-a cloud that was not 10 be
dispelled altogether for many years.
Brownell and his wife were attend
ing a class reunion In the old college
town. Fifteen years had passed since
he left the portals Of the college be-
hind. His married life had been happy
and prosperous. but he had never quite
forgotten the girl he had left in order
10 keep his word with his first love
How lightly the years sat upon Ma
ria, he thought, as he compared her to
the other wives that were presented to
him by the old class fellows. He half
wished that they had asked him
10 bring the children also. But with
this pride in her and his family there
came a glimpse OF Alice before their
return.
Suddenly she stood before him. But
how changed, She had not taken on
beauty like the dear Maria:
she had only grown old. She seemed
TO have shrunk into herself; crowfeet
were deeping about the corners of her
mouth and eyes; the knit of her brows
and the petulant droop of her mouth
odd plainly of a fitful temper that had
taken place of the old gaiety that he
had admired in her.
He felt an unwonted swelling Of |
pride as he introduced his wife in turn. |
He was very attentive TO her that !
evening. and very tender when alone |
again in their hotel. When he had |
helped her remove her wraps he sud I
ienly surprised her by clasping her in
lis arms.
Dear old grille" he murmured. as
he kissed her twice. with unusual ar. /
Tor; there is no such another woman |
Is you in the whole world know"