Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-02-24
A LEAP YEAR S1nRv.

Il
ping short with a gasp, and fixed his
eyes upon vacancy with puzzled and
foolish expression.
swell, go on, you WHAT" said the
fair crossquestioner, almos impercep-
tibly inclining nearer to the young man.
"Now just tell me right straight out,
you what's
"Why, 10, pshaw, | don't know!"
"You do, say you do, now come,
/ want to know"
80, ! can't tell you."-
81 say you can. Why you know
Pll never mention it, and you may tell
me of course, youknow, for haven't ]
always been your friend?"
"Well, you have, / know" replied
the beleagured youth.
"And Pm sure / always thought you
liked me-" went on the maiden in ten
der and mellow accents.
go, | do, upon my word-yes, in
deed l do, Maria,' said the unsophis-
ticated youth, very warmly, and he
found Maria had unconsciously placed
her hand in his open palm.
Then there was silence.
"And then-well, john" said Maria,
dropping her eyes to the ground.
'Eh! Oh-well?' said John, dropping
his eyes and Maria's hand at the same
moment.
"Pm pretty sure you love somedo-
dy, John; in fact" said Maria, assn
ming again tone of railery, 81 hno0
you'er in love, and John why don't
you tell me all about it at once?"
"Well, r.
"WeH, /! O, you silly mortal, what
is there to be afraid OFF,
80, it amt because I'm afraid Of
anything at all. and Tll-well now
Maria, | aciH tell YOU"
"Well now, john"
Cd"
"Ehi"
"I-"
eyes"
81 am in love!-now don't tell-yor
wont, will your" said John violeAtll
seizing Maria by the hand, and look
, ing in her face with a most implorinE
expression.
$ "Why, Of course you know, Johl
: I'll never breathe word of it-yor
: know / wont, don't you, john" 'Thi
J was spoken in a mellow whisper, ant
f the cherry lips Of Maria were so nea
Johns ear when she spoke, that la
e he turned his head to look at her ther
b might have occurred and exceedingl
$ dangerous collision.
It "Well, Maria,'' said John, "l'v
Il told you now, and so you shall kno
n all about it. | have always thought
i great deal Of you, and''-
o "Yes, John"
81 am sure you would do anythir
for me that you could
! eyes John, you knoaO | would"
r, "Well, thought so, ana you don
a know how long I've wanted to talk
r, you about it."
r 81 declare, John, I--you mig
IN have told me long ago if you wante
a. for Pm sure l never was angry wi
a. you in my life.''
il "No, you wasn't; and have oft
is felt a great mind to, but
tn "It's not too late now you knot
I'd john"
ia "Well, Maria, do you think L
e, too young to get marriec?"
as "Indeed do not, John; and l Rn'
r. it would be good thing for you tc
he for every body says the sooner you
Ir. people are married the better, VIII
he they are prudent and inclined to 10
ire one another"
on "That's just what l think; aud no
X Maria, | do want to get married, and
en- you'll just"
so "Indeed / will, John, for you KIN
ID / was always partial to you, and L
* said so often behind your back"
be "Well | declare I've all ale
it thought you might object, and tn;
ct. the reason I've been always afraid
ely ask you.''
nd "Obiect! no I'd die first; you n
yht ask of me just anything you please
TO "And you'll grant it. )"
re- civil"
son "Then, Maria, want you 10
rne the question for me to Mary Sulliv
for
"What!"
1en CHI"
CO. "Do you love Mary Sullivan
ion 80, indeed l do with all my hea
9Th q always thought you was TO
oil "Eh?"
the II say you're fool, and you'd
he ter go home. your mother wants "
ere o, you you-you-stupid!' exc
the Emed the mortified Maria in a s
sn.; tremble, and she gave poor John
BALE on the cheekthat sent him Keeling
red was MONDAY, and yet John decl'
nar- he saw myriads Of stars flashing
,ere around him, more than he ever saw
- fore in the night time. Poor N
to aNeyef told her love,
ade But let concealment, ike worm i the