The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-04-12

forehead with parental dclicacy; 'yon
are good girl and. wish | was more
worthy father. Blu, let me 60 now. dear.
and will be soon back again to help
YOU With this promise he soon toie
himself away.
Nav had been loo long accustomed TO
have her en,reaties tisregarded, TO shed
many tears fnr her present disappoint-
meni; so, having completed her house.
hold arrangements. she tied on her little
cotton s,raw--iis blue ribbons somewhat,
faded, il is truc, but thereby better s!li,ing
the exquisite delicacy Of her complexion
and proceeded 10 The garden. There
was a freshness and an exhilera,inn in
The soft spring air. that soon removed
from her hear, and fare, all traces of I'M
happiness; and if her cheek had been a
shade too pale, tins defec, was remedied
the instant the sound of buoyant and
has,y foo,-step fell upon her listening
ear.
The person who approached was the
son of Mays nearest neighbor. widow
Lowell. lie was fine looking fellow.
with complexion of the clearest white.
eyes Of the darkest blue, and hair that
would rival the gloss and blackness of
"a ravens wing lie had basket on
his arm full of young plants.
You were wishing for some Of those
gorgeous pancies, May. See. | have
been fortunate enough to procure you
some
You are my good genius, Harry. ]
have bu, to wish, and 10! ,he prize is at
hand. thank you thousand times.
The young friends busted themselves
in planting the roots, for sonic time in
silence. They were lovers. though non
acknowledged ones. The confession
had long been trembling on iIarry's lips.
(silly fellow did he not know his eyes
had already told it, over and over again 2
but there was something in Mays man
ncr that restrained and embarrassed him.
This morning, however. he had songh,
her with the determination 10 avOw his
love.
For nothing was Harry Lowell, more
remarkable than for his readiness and
eloquence Of speech. 1t was astonishing
what could keep him so silent on this ne
casion. Root after root was fixed in the
ground, and still his tongue f.llered in
its instructed duty. This is no Place
thought he. with the sun garing tnwn
upon us, aud in open view of half the
village He rose from the garden path,
and lifting his new palm-leaf ha,-May's
hand had braided it for hlm-hrushe.l
back from his forehead. which was very
white and handsome one, mass Of black,
glossy curls.
You are weary, May said he. 'and
the sun is really oppressive. have my
thoughts on a glass of your nice root
beer. In this shade Of the porch, j. will
be very refreshing
May laughed, and led the way to the
house. The beer was brought, drank,
and praised the glasses removed. and
Nav. with her bonnet off and her soft,
brown hair parted smoothly from her
brow, and seated herself ON the threshold
nf The door. Harry chose situation ON
The dnor-slep. Here they were quite
sheltered from the sun, and quite hidden
f.om the view Of the villagers. Harry
had no longer excuse for silence I; and So
IN que, way, but with a burning cheek
and eloquent eye, he told the tale of his
love.
May heard him with many hearl-,hrob-
bings. and few ill-concealed tears. %.
Harry feared this said she. Sweet
AS it is to know that you love me, it is
hitter indeed To know that we can never
be happy in this Affection
'Bu, wha, shall hinder us. dear May ?
My father, Harry, can never leave
him.
OF course not; but he shall have a
home with u.s.
You mus. no, think Of the thing, dear
Harry. You have already a mother
10 support. and can never consent. to
bring upon yon such burden as poor
father would he. Were he merely old
and descrepid. ] nigh, no, look upon the
case as so hopeless | might almost then
consent that he should become burden
to you; but as he is. y, Harry. yo,
know his unfortunate weakness /; you
know how unfit he is to ST. by any fire.
side. or be par,aker Of any domestic So
ciely, except such as nature has made
sacredly his own. A daughter can par.
don. can bear with his infirmi,y (; but, o,
Harry! your home would be desccraled
by such am inmate
Poor May how bitterly she wept, as
This painful and Illuminating reflection wa,