Year: 1874

a Love Story.


All my life I had known Mary
Moore; all my life l had loved her.


Our mothers were old playmates
and first cousins. My first recol-
'lections are OF a boy, in rcd frock
and morocco shoes rocking a cradle
in which reposed a sunny haired,
blue-eyed baby, not quite year old.
That boy was mysel.-Harry Church;
that baby Mary Moore.


Later still I see myself at the old
school house, drawing my little
chaise up to the door that Mary
might ride home. Many a beating
have I gained on such occasions,
for other boys beside me liked her,
and she, I fear, was something of a
flirt, even in her pinafore. How ell
egantly she came tripping down the
steps when I called her name; how
sweetly her blue eyes looked at me,
how gaily rang out her merry laugh.
No one but Mary could bring her
heart so near her lips. I followed
that laugh from the days cf my
childhood till l grew an awkward,
blushing youth Il followed it through
the heated noon of manhood; and
now when the frosts Of age sre sill
vering my hair, and many children
climb upon my knee and call me
"father" l find that the memories of
youth are strong, and that even in
gray hair, 1 am following the music
still.


When was fifteen the first great
sorrow of my life came upon nv
breast. 1 was sent away to school
land was obliged to part with Mary.
We were not to see each other for
three long years. This to me was
like a sentence to death, for Mary
was like life itself to me. But hearts
are tough things after all.


left college in all the flush Of my
nineteenth year. I was no longer
awkward or embarrassed. I had
grown into a tall, slender STRIPPING,
with a very good opinion Of myself
both in general and particular If
| thought of Mary Moore, it was
how could dazzle and bewilder her
with my good looks and wonderful
mental attachments, and never think
ling that she might dazzle and be
wilder me still more. l was n cox
comb, l know, but as youth and
good looks have fed, ! trust that l
may be believed when ] saw that
lself-conceit had left me alsc.


An advantageous proposal was
made at that time, and accepting it
l gave up the idea of a profession
and prepared to go to India. In
my hurried visit home OF two days
I saw nothing of Mary Moore. She
had gone to a boarding house at
some distance, and was not expect
ed home until the loving May
| uttered a sigh to the memory OF
| my little blue eyed playmate and
then called myself "a man" again.


In year, l thought, as the vehi-
tcle whirled away from the door
will return, and if Mary is as pretty
ag she used to be, perhaps, 1 may
marry her.


And thus / settled the fortune o.
young lady whom l had not seer
lfor four years. never thought o.
the possibility of her refusing me
never dreamed that she would moi
Icondescend to accept my offer.


But now l know that had Mary
met me then she would have des
pissed me. Perhaps in the scented
and affected student she might have
found plenty of spirit; but as fol
loving me, l should perhaps have
found myself mistaken. India was
Imy salvation, not merely because
lof my success, but because my Ia
borous industry had counteractec
the evil of my nature and had made
Ibe a better man. When at the enc
f three years l prepared to return
| said nothing of the reformation o
myself, which I knew had takeI
place. They loved me as l was
I murmured to myself.


If, aud they shall find out fo
themselves whether 1 am bette
worth loving than formerly.


picked up many a token from
that land of romance, and gold 70
the friends l hoped to meet. Tn
, Gift for Mary Moore l selected will


beating heart: it was a ring o


rough virgin gold, with my nam


and hers engraved irside-that wa
e all, and yet the sight of the littl


toy strangely thrilled me as 1 bal
anced it on the tip of my finger.


To the eyes Of others it was but


small plain circle, suggestini
thoughts, perhaps, by its elegance
of the beautiful, white hand tina


was to wear it. But to me-hoJ


much was embodied there-all thes


things were hidden within that lii


tie ring of gold.


Tall, bearded, and sun -bronzed,


arrived at my fathers house. Tn
lights in the parlor window, and tn


hum Of conversation and cheerfr


laughter, showed me that compan


was assembled there. hoped tbs


sister Lizzie would come to th
: door, and / might greet my famil
when no strange eye was lookin


carelessly on.


]. But no, a servant answered m