Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-12-03
Number IL.
CHAPTER III.

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caves extending within reach of the
ground, and tall pointed windows, perched
along its roof, as a substitute for second
story lights. 1t was a venerable, grey,
old house, which seemed to have dozed
away, amid the great sIradowy trees which
crowded about it, becoming hoary and an.
tiquated, yet retaining an air Of substan-
tial comfort. Creeping vines, Of various
kinds, cambered about the windows, and
in assures of the walls, forming a green
mat over much of the roof, and stealing
up the trunks of the old trees; which form
ed the home of MANY bird, who peeped
INTO the narrow windows, or mounted on
one OF the iopmosI branches, which tow
cred so high aloft, that its voice, as it pour
ed forth It's song, seemed carolling mid
way, which was at least half mile dis
tant. Altogether, it was a rural, snug,
dreamy old house; and in il was one of
the snuggest rooms, fitted up with little
knlck-knacks rare in those days-with
snowy windows and bed curtains, and a
bed as white and snowy as the curtains,
mt only to be occupied, as it was, by the
most beautiful little fairy of a a girl that
ones eyes had ever rested on,--and that
was Mary Lincoln.
Atabout eight o'clock, on the morning
of the day succeeding that in which oc-
CURED the incidents narrated in the last
chapter, and in the small room just men,
toned, sat very beautiful girl, with CLOS.
sy golden hair, engaged in sewing; tho
it must be confessed that her eye was more
often wandering through the window, and
along that deep vista-like lane, which her
window looked, than fixed upon her work;
for it was nearly tho hour at which Harry
Blake usu ally contrived, on some pretext
or other, to find his way to the house, to see
how she was, and ask a few questions, aud
made few remarks, the nature of which
was best known to herself That dav, how
ever, he was behind his time; 5nt still she
felt sure he would come. lie had said no.
thing about ii; but she expected him as
much as if he had; and was endeavoring
to select out half-a-doxen slightly coquet.
fish ways of receiving him, which just then
presented themselves to her mind. At first
she thought that she would keep him wait
ing for her--a very little time--just e.
no Ugh to make him more glad to see her,
when she came; but then, she would be as
much the sufferer as he; for, impatient as
he might be below, she would be equally SO
above; so she abandoned that Then she
thought of taking her sewing in the wide
hall, and OF stationing herself on one of
he old settees which FINISHED its sides,
md that she would be there very leisurely
1t work, and, of course, would not see him
until he came up and spoke to her; or, per-
laps, might accidentally 60 out just as he
vas coming in. That, too,she abandoned;
md then she fancied that she would stroll
nut and meet him in the lane; and,itmust
re confessed, that she inclined more to-
Yards this plan than either of the others;
Or she had accidentally met him in this
way before; and on these occasions Harry
ways tied his horse to tree, and walked
With her to the house; and although the
istance was short, they sometimes con-
umed great deal of time in going it, and
e had an opportunity of saying much
which not unfrequently he was unable to
ay at the house; for her father was al
1ost as fond OF Harry as his daughter, and
ad SO much to tell him abodt his crops.
nd about this thing aud that, and 50 much 4
} ask him, that he sometimes infringed up
n time which Mary thought belonged ex-
Iusiuely to her; and although she endea-
ored to bear il cheerfully, yet at times she
ould othelp thinking how snug and hap.
y and comfortable the old gentleman
'uold look if he were only snoring away
| the easy armchair which stood in the
h!mney corner, although it was but eight
clock in the morning.
She threw aside her work, and was ris-
lg for the purpose of adopting this last
Ian, when she heard the dashing of hoofs
! the lane. dts too late,n thought she,
but Ill keep him waiting" and down she
1t, out of sight of the window, SO that she
ould not see the new conner, for she did
OF wish Harry should know that she had
cen watching for him. The noise of the
pots increased; and the horseman dashed
full gallop to the door. This was not
ke Harry. lie generally came fast e.
ough along the road, but he did not g lllop
the dooI like mailman. II was notre-
'eclful, and she would tell him So; still.
: might be in hurry. 1t argued strong
ssire TO see her, and that was some palii.
ion. There was evidently stir below.
front of the house and she even heard
S name mentioned. What cou d be go-
g on there9 She was dying TO know.
here was no way Of learning, unless she
ent to the window. So as to look over the
-ojecting caves Of the house; aud then
he could be seen. No, no; she would
ot dothat. Sill the stir increased,
nd she caught the sound of voices
/ earnest conversation; but Harry's