Year: 1869

|
turned"


Flora and husband dwelt near them,
so the two friends were most always to-
gether. Their love did not lose its in
tensity after marriage, but remained the
same as in their maidenhood. Not the
same either for it grew stronger and


more womanly. Casader visited her
father in Texas and found him living
with his second wife, and very pleasant
ly situated. He was mayor of tho city
of -, very wealthy, and highly re-
spected. He was so surprised when
Casader presented herself that he was
speechless, and could only stand and
look at her. Becoming convinced that
it really was his daughter he clasped her
to his heart, and while the tears glisten.
ed in his eyes, almost smothered her
with kisses. He could hardly bear the
thought of her leaving him, and only
consented when she promised to see him
every year; that was too long, but he had
to be satisfied. The youngest brother,
who had been her special care, she left
with his father, knowing he would be
well provided for. The oldest brother,
now thorough business man, was hap
PLY united to maiden of rare intelli-
gence, and living in Rochester. Casader
often visited them and they returned her
visits when convenient. The family
after various trials and separations, We're
at last comfortably settled in life.
" " y


Casader and Flora were sitting in the
formers apartment in tho latter part of
August, 49,, talking of the past.


"Now, Casader," observed Flora, 81
want you to tell me why you refused to
marry Canfle.d when he first asked you.
Since you requested me net to ask you
the reason of the separation, have not
presumed to do so. If you had never
met again never should have thought
to ask you; as it is, / desire to know
There can be no harm in telling me
now, and may I ask il ?"


"Certainly, Flora, am sure did not
think of your being ignorant of the rea-
son, but now remember did not tell
you. Before tell you why let me ask
you one question. Did you not love
Garfield more than you ought to have
loved cousin, when he left for China


flora blushed, but hooking her friend
full in the face, replied:


"Yes, Casader, did; but now love
him as cousin"


81 thought as much, therefore knew
INV g. =.
Flora, do you remember the first night
Garfield accompanied me home to my
mothers?'


Very distinctly; it was beautiful
evening""


eyes, and whIle walking along noting
several consultations, he made few re-
marks which told me if 1 ever gained
his love could not be his wife. We
were speaking of the stars, and the idea
once entertained that every star was
divine animal or a soul. He questioned
if believed such was the case, and
very emphatically answered no. Then
we spoke of the moon, and the reflection
of the mountain, which appeared so
much like a human beings face. So
from one thing to another, until we
found our subject to be God and religion.
By the few words he uttered l knew he
was not believer, but was wholly un
prepared for his question. Stopping, he
turned his face towards me and said
'Casader,'- then lifting his hat, beg
your pardon, Miss Chafeld, dc you be-
lieve there is God? LoVe is God, and
God is love! this is the only one know
of or have faith in could not find
words to answer him was so surprised.
We walked in silence few steps and
then found feeble language in which to
reply, MIR. Fayton, I believe in God
who made this world and all it contains
who placed you here as one of His sub
jects."


II pray Him to forgive a rebellious /
mortal for blasphemous language. 1 |
don't belong to any church, Miss Cha
field, and perhaps that's the reason am
so wicked; but then I've dealt with
those who did, and they'd cheat sooner
than L. They belonged to the church,
but if there is any heirship don't think
they were lawful heirs"


There was sneer upon his lips as he |
answered, and then changing the sub
j Get he strove to take my thoughts from
his spoken words. But no, they linger-
ed with me and determined me as to my
future course. He never spoke to me of
religion or God after that. When he
asked me to become his wife, I refused,
though 1 loved him better than life.
When he visited me as requested, told
him my first duty was to my God that
could never stand in lhe relation of
wife to one who did not acknowledge a
Supreme Being. I vowed to serve my
God before met you and nothing shall
tempt me to swerve from the path OF du-
ty." He beseeched me on bended knees
not to turn him away, that he would
mover speak against my religion.


=" I can never believe as you do, dear
Casader, for love is my God and you the
object of that love-"


"Then you can never be nearer to me
than at present, for shall never marry
an infidel. This, then, is the reason he
went to China, and do you blame me for
That decision ?''


"No, Casader, I do not, but you saw
your duty in different light from what
l fear / should have seen it. The temp
tation to have taken him and then tried
to reform him would have been Il very
severe one. I honor you for your decis-