The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-04-19
woonsFIKLD OHIO, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1914.

refuse, and might not justly 'be offended at her
prudery! could hear her breathe, and see her
snowy bosom heave with contesting emotions.
The conflict was going on between love and
reserve, and yet, poor girl, she knew it not!-but
had seen more of the worldthan my unsophisti.
Gated cousin.
'tAnd you really won't come to morrow evening
-without--witlout-" she paused and blushed;
while the low, soft, halfreproachfu tone in which
she spoke, smote me to the heart, and almost made
me repent my persistence. But then it was so
pretty to see her perplexed!
Harriet" said I, al feel grieved; you do not
think that should rife with you. never be-
fore tried to test how true were the professions
of those love, and if one is 10 be thus bitterly
deceived, care not to try again." and half letting
go her hand, turned partially away.
For second she did not answer, but she looked
upon the floor; and as she ayerted her head i saw
crystal tear-drop fall. Directly cloud came
over the moon, and just as the whole room was
buried in sudden shadow, heard a sigh that SEEM
ed to come from the bottom of my cousins heart,
felt breath like zephyr steal across my face
the ecsac touch sent thrill through every nerve,
as ! felt her soft and glowing kiss. had conquer
ed. But hot tear was on my face; and as
pressed her hand more warmly than became a
cousin, sudden revusion of feeling came across
her,-the true secret of her decacy flashed like
sunlight upon her mind, and feeling how utterly
she had betrayed herself. her head fell upon my
shoulder and heard her sob. My heart stung me-;
and would have given worlds to have saved her
that one moment OF agony. But in another instant
came the consciousness that loved her, and put
ting my arm gently around her. and drew her
gently towards me. We spoke no word, we whis-
pered no vow, but as felt how pure heart had
won, a flush of holy feeling swept across my soul.
That moment shall never forget. She ceased to
sob, hut she did not as yet look up. II might
have been five minutes, or it might have been half
an bour,-I could keep no measure of time. l
softly pronounced her name, "Dear Harriet"
"Will you not come tomorrow night" Whisper
ed she, lifting her dark eyes tmidly to my counte-
nance.
ssHow can refuse, dearest" said ], kissing the
tears from her cheeks.
'And you will not think me unkind, William" !"
"No love-not n0,o," and pressing her again TO
my throbbiDg bosom, and imprinting OH her rosy
lips kiss,-a hurning-psssionate- ubduing
kiss, murmured, "Good night, dearest" and VIC
parted Tor the night But not to sleep that night,
did 60 to he'd. My hgh-wrought feelings, were
painful to my om,-the unusual excitement
seemed to have exhausted all my energies; and
could hardly convince myself that all that had
happened was not dream--so much did the scenes
of the last few hours appear like pleasing, fleet
ing vision.
The next morning was greeted by glance
from my cousin, which eloquenty told the feeling
of her heart. Her, embarrassment did not escape
the penetration Of my good uncle, and when he
heard the particulars of our interview, his laugh
rang loud and joyous, in spite of the bushes of my
dear Harriet. Though that was many years ago.
l am still happy-vcry happy man; no less happy
than when my lovely cousin first became my iDife,
MORAL
story, in conformity with the received custom,
proceed to unfold my moral. The most striking
lesson contained in 1t is, that any thing may be
accomplished by proper management, and that the
female heart is never SO obstinate, but that it will
finally yield to genteness. Again, cousins should
be closely watched They play the deuce with
the girls hearts. They're always pluckng your
daughter fresh rose or lifting her over the pebbly
little brook; and then they take such long walks
in the summer twilight, ride for hours alone in
September afternoon, or sleigh away for miles,
on the clear moonlight nights Of December, with
nothing but themselves for company, and all this
time when they are both budding into life, and fall
into love as naturally the moth flies into the
fire. Egad! I've got daughters myself, fegs no
cousin comes palavering about my house with his
flute and familiarity; for if he does. I'll either make
up my mind at once to have him for son-in-law,
or else kick the young rascal, neck and heels, down
the staircase. Cousin indeed!