Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1903 — DEAR DEAD PAST. [ARTICLE]

DEAR DEAD PAST.

Modern Terms of Mcasnrlnc Affactions of the Human Heart. The old millionaire entered his study and after carefully bolting the door behind him sat down at his desk and began to rummage in the capacious bottom drawer, says the St. Louis GlobeDemocrat. A look of intense anxiety overspread his seamed and rugged visage as he failed to find- the object of his, search, but presently this gave way to a smile when further search rewarded his endeavors. He gave a sigh of relief and settled back in his chair to examine thc packnke at old letters he held in his hands. With trembling fingers he untied the faded knot of blue ribbon that bound them, and slowly began to read. They were Leve letters, his own love letters, written in the days of his ardent young manhood, when success had first smiled upon him. As he read, the countenance of the old man softened, and the present was forgotten. He was alone with the past, the dear, dead past. But was it dead? No, for the magic of those burning words seemed to Ignite again in the olfi man’s heart the flame that had glowed there long ago. For see—a tear gathers In his sunken eye and slowly rolls down his wrinkled cheed. “Dear little Amy,” he whispers. “Dear little woman! how foolishly fond of you I was in those days. Y’ou were, indeed, the dearest woman I ever met. Your breach of promise suit cost me a cool $25,000!”