Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-07-08

| 'uo Ps.~c hSSh. woman VIII desire 10
effect conquest because the object is
loved by others, or honored for his talents
by the world at large. was anxious 10
captivaie M'Lellan, because knew he
had genius and energy, and thought il
very probable that he would one day be-
come famous. | saw that he was more
pleased with Julia than myself; and here,
ambition to win what another possessed,
urged me to greater effort. In short
had thought so much Of M'Lellan, and
was firmly determined on curing his in
difference, for so deemed it, that again
found myself absolutely and unequivocal-
ly IN love; and now, rs ever before, |
had fixed my affections where contrary
inclinations opposed barriers. But it was
ever my nature to strive against fate. |
should have been born man.
was uncertain how to manage M'Lel-
Ian. was not quite sure that UNDER
stood his disposition. At times he SEEM
ed miracle Of frankness and simplicity /;
at others, directly the reverse. thought
him quite indifferent to me, but felt equal.
Iy sure that were Julia married or out Of
the way, should stand good chance
Of success. could devise no good plan,
and felt obliged to let matters take their
own course, hoping the best as TO the iu.
ture.
Two or three months passed away, and
| thought myself gaining, though slowly,
in his estimation, when one day he invit.
ed Julia and myself to long ride. We
were gone the whole day, stopping to dine
at hotel, which was to be the end of our
journey. During the ride thither, Julia
was his idol. She was perfectly happy
II was equally unhappy. But after din.
ner he began all at once, without any
cause that could discern, to change his
tone toward me, and to be less assduous
in his attention to Julia. She saw il, and
like little cur, whose jealousy has been
excited by his masters notice of another,
she redoubledber play fnlness and her iawn-
ings; but he perseveringly, though gently,
repelled all her advances, and finally Turn
ed away from her, and asked Of me some
trifing favor which Julia nigh, have done,
and which she expected always to do. 1t
was impossible TO understand fully the
meaning Of all this, until | saw her black
eye fash with snge, her dark face grow
ashen, ard her lips pressed bloodless to.
gether her bosom heaved convulsively,
and her foot beat quick upon the ottoman;
then was quite satisfied that something
had occurred. From the suddenness OF
this strange yet petty incident, we were
all for some time silent-Julia from sheer
wrath and surprise, from surprise and
satisfaction, and he probably from embar-
rassment at the dilemma in which he found
himself placed. ! broke at length the
painful silence, by recommending an i'm.
mediate return home, at which all started
up-he to order the carriage and horses,
and we to dress.
"What does it all mean, dear Julia ~
inquired I, as soon as M'Lellan was out
Of hearing.
81 neither know nor care" replied
she, snappishly "some whim, presume.
He will repent Of this before night"
Observing my wicked, increduous smile,
she added sharply, " suppose Miss Ma
ry, you imagine that your beauty has ut
last en,rapped him whom you have SO long
courted IN vain.
was always too proud to scold or to
quarrel; merely gave julia Byronic
Took, and an iDstant's reflection drove
the really good. hearted girl to my arms,
begging forgiveness. M'Lelan soon re-
entered, Offered his arm first to me, then
to Julia. She had forgotten something,
and babe us go on, and she would follow.
During the whole ride buck she opened
not her lips. For my part, had recover
ed the use OF my tongue, and was very
lively the whole way. In due time julia
was dropped at her door, and We rode on.
M'Lellan then asked mo to grant him the
pleasure Of a promenade with me the en-.
suing evening. So reasonable reques,
| could not refuse. watched at my
chamber window long after night.fall,
feeling constant alarm and anxiety lest
something might have happenedto prevent
his coming. At length described his
figure under the window, and few sec.
onds only elapsed before | met him OF the
door. At the commencement OF our walk,
he began talking in very distracted
way about the weather, and continued SO
long talking TO himself, without noticing
my remarks, that was at length obliged
to recall him to this world, by the vulgar
inquiry, "What is the matter T. He an
swered not word, but I-ielt his sinewy
frame ,remble. | then expressed my fears
that he was i'll, and proposed returning to
the house till another evening. lie pro.
tested that he was perfectly well, and pre-.
rcrred no, to return; and thought it ad.
visablc to give him all the time he desired
to arrange his ideas, and commence the
subject which | was now sure was upper
most in his mind. Finally heaving hall
a dozen very heavy signs, he seemed to
erect and brace himself for the dreadful
task. Had he known how perfectly de.
lighted felt, his mental agon'es had
doubtless been materially less.
He told me he loved me, and had loved
me since first we met; that ne hau ap'
peared Indifferent to me, nay, deeply at.
tached TO Julia, only that he might have
better opportuni,ies TO judge Of my char
acter: thai he was fully satisfied, and now
fell that the time had come to make de-
claration of his affection. He concluded
his harangue with the usual query whe.
Their i. were possible that an angel like
oysalf could reciprocate the affection of