Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-11-12

'Wel,' replied Vincent, Il have seen little
of her, to be sure, but from the sobrety OF
mind and good sense that seem to charact-
erie the family, have some hopes that you
will not succeed
That's past praying for, fear said
Bcresford. IF may judge from certain little
indications, and so forth'-and Beresford
turned on his heel and whistcd himself out
of the room, with very contented and as
surcd appearance.
His confident expectations had arisen sim
ply from the fact that our heroine, from the
joint influence of acquaintanccshlp and ma
tural good humor, had grown, of late, much
more approachable besides which, for
few days past, more marked change of
manner had supervencd. Mary had become
absent, occasionally melancholy, and more
than usually excitable, --her color was vary
ing, her eye was restless, and there was a
nervous tremor of manner, entirely different
from any thing she had ever before exhibited.
The truth was, that she was wholly engros-
sed by certain little perplexltes and sorrows
of her own; but as Bcrcsford knew nothing
of the kind, he formed for himselfa very
natural and satisfactory theory, as to the
cause OF her altered manner.
Accordingly, at the close of still after
noon, when Mary's mother and sisters were
absent, Beresford stole suddenly upon her,
as she was sitting by an open window cur
tanned by green vines. He commenced his
enterprise by IA series of complimentary re-
marks, in just thatassumcd, comfortable way,
that Is incxpressbly vexatious to an nexpe-
rippcpd n nd fx,nv th
seems to say, Il understand all about you,
and can manage you to admiration. Mary
felt annoyed, yet conscious of Ter own ina
bility to meet, on his own ground, the prac-
tIscd and ready man of the world, who ad-
dressed her
'Mr. Beresford,' she said at length, after
some silence, Il presume that all this is very
fine in its way, but beg you will not waste
itupon mc,-.lreaIly have not the cultivation
TO appreciate it,
Bcresford protested that he was entirely
and devoutly serious in every word.
Il ain very sorry for it, if you are said
Mary, smiling.
Beresford proceeded to reveal his name
and title and to make an offer in regular
form.
With some surprise, but with great SIM
picity and decision, our heroine declined the
proposal.
Beresford pleaded the advantages of sta
ton he had to offer, his own disintercsted.
ness, and so forth.
Indeed, Mr.. Bcrcsford,' replied Mary
Il do not know enough about these things tc
feel in the least honored or temped by them
1t may, very possibly, seem to you that yol
do me great honor by this proposal, but
have no such feeling. You are accustomed
to such different manner of estimating
things, from any thing have ever known
that cannot very well understand your feel.
ings. If ever marry, it will be one who
can fully appreciate the affection give, fol-
its own sake, and not one who will Away,
look upon me as a sort of ornamental ap.
! pendage to his station, and so forth.
Some Yankee pcdlar or tinker perhaps,
replied Beresiord, angriy.
Very possibly replied Mary, calmy
'and yet he may be more truly noble thar
the only earl ever had the honor of know.
ing'-apd our heroine left the room.
And yet on the evening OF that very day
you might have caught glimpses OF the white
dress of Mary, she stood bcnoatl, the ole
vine arbour, in the garden, alone with one
other, listening to the oft told tale again
But this time one might perhaps sec tina
she listens with no unwilling ear, while
| a manly hand clasps hers, and words of pas.
sionatc feeling are poured forth.
Il must 90, Mary-brgh,est dearest, To-
vclicst, with such a form and face, such a
soul, wha, might you not demand in one that
dare hope for you, and have nothing to Of
icr-no thing
And do you think that | count heart
and soul like yours for nothing? said Mary
yes, but there is so long an uncertainty
before me-so much to be done single-handed
and not soul thinks shall succced-not a
soul-not even my own mother
'lcs, George, you know do, said Mary
'and You know what say is worth mo,c
than all put together
Indeed, DOOR should have given up
in despair long ago, my angel
TO be sure am an angel said Mary,
'and so beg Of you, believe every word |
say,-that six or seven years from this time,
you will come back here the great Mr.. George
Evarts, and everybody will be making bows
and shaking hands
Sab, Mary!' said the young man, smil-
ing,-and Immediately after his face chang
ed; an anxious and thoughtful cloud again
seemed to settle upon 1.-THE took her hand
and spoke with an expression of sorrow, such
as she had never before seen.
MARY, fear have done you wrong, to
involve you in my unccrtanties--to make
your happiness in any respect dependent on
my doubtful success in a long, hard struggle.
ought not to leave you bound to me by any
promise. If, during these future years, you
see one who makes you an immediate offer
of heart and hand-onc worthy of you-and
you think that if it were not for me
Il am 10 take HIM, of course said Mary
well, | will remember it. Oh, George,
this is just like you,-aways Responding
when you hope most. Come back to me five
or ten years hence, and if you have any adj
vice OF the kind to give then-why, I'll think
of It,
Ruf what ,ro- ia ,co, H., ,,o ,,;ll NO,