The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-17

WHICH hlgn-Dfeu lauy SHOULD nave. OccdSi0n-
ally he quizzed her somewhat scanty wardrobe
But these discussions gradually became less fire.
quent and finally ceased altogether.
i Frank, meantime, was seriously in love: and
for the first time 10 his life But he almost de-
SPARED, for while Miss Trevor always listened to
him with attention, her smiles and her interest
seemed wholly engagedby Harry. Indeed, ne-
yer had Frank known his friend TO be so enter
taining he would have. given worlds as II ne
could have been half as talkative But the pre-
sence Of Miss Trevor seemed to act on Frank
like spell the moment he enterd her moth
er's little paror, his ease of manner forsook him,
and his ideas failed. asaef sGe
The pang Of jealousy was soon added to Frank
! other torments Harry day by day evidently
became more interested in Miss Trevor: he often
neglected his mornings amusement and devoted
the time wholly to her. The two friends now
rarely conversed of their mutual mistress; for
Frank was too jealous to trust himself to words
and Harry, seeing his friends feelings, had too
much generosity to speak on the subject.
/. Frank, meanwhile, industriously continued
his angling, at least IN appearance, for every
morning, with rod and basket, he took his way
to the mountain streams, back Of the village, and
often did not return until the sun had set, when
tired and dispirted he remained at the inn alone,
all the evening, instead Of visiting Miss Trevor,
as formerly. Butin these long excursions ho spent
little ofhis time in angling. Perhaps he would
make few casts until he had partially filled his
basket and then, putting up his tackle, he would
climb to some height overlooking the village,
where, himself concealed, he would spend hours
in gazing on the white cottage Of Mrs Trevor.
One afternoon, returning sadly to his inn, he
had reached the foot of the mountain and was
threading his way through the forest, when he
was aroused from his abstraction, by the sound of
voices close at hand. Looking up he beheld Miss
Trevor and Harry seated on the trunk Of fal-
len tree, which lay right across his path. As
there was no other way by which to advance, he
was on the point Of addressing the lovers, when
his attention was fixed by some words of Harry
and he stopped unceremoniously.
''Pray, jest not at me, dear Miss Trevor"
his friend said, 'swhy will you not believe me in
earnest 2" rg I31t 1s ta
''Belieye you in earnest" said Miss Trevor
speaking gaiy, but with an averted face, while
her fingers were tearing wild flower to pieces,
''dld ever any one know men to be in earnest F.
as well believe woman not tickle, or country girls
no simpletons." n 4 sa s, asa4a
"Upon my word-upon my honor" was the
reply in tone Of vexation. ssWhat can do to
assure you Of my seriousness ~
do nothing, Mr.. Haviland. We country
girls are not 50 unused TO fine speeches as you
fancy, and do not take all the pretty compliments
for truth that are whispered in our ear, especially
by fine gentleman who would amuse himself
during a dull visit to stupid village" II
"Really--solemnly-
NAY, no oaths," said Miss Trevor, still gaily
rising, as she spoke, 'syou have carried on the
jest bravely so far, but there is no necessity to
swear. I'll give you a certificate that you know
how TO flirt and even propose, without asking you
to go on your knees or call heaven to witness ;
you, play the part admirably. Practice makes
perfect, and Eve no doubt if you can get in love,
that you'll pay your devoirs to the lady fair in
the most elegant manner. And now, having got
through your lesson, we will return if you please
for the air grows cold"
But my dear Miss Trevor said Harry, re-
tanning her hand, and speaking rapidly and pas
sionateiy, this is no jest, love you-deeply,
Idistractedly-life is, nothing without you. Here
| | offer you heart, hand and fortune, all have
OF ever shall have
/ Miss Trevor blushed over neck and brow, at
these mpassioned words, but her answer was
calm and assured, though tone of feeling was
perceptible in her reply. a
'If you do not jest, Mr.. Havilaud,' she said
seriously, Il am sorry. very sorry But never
can be yours , I
Harry gazed at her in amazement. He had
persuaded himself that Miss Trevor had long
been in love with him ; indeed he could not un-'
derstand how it should be otherwise, for, to say
nothing of the intimacy which had subsisted be-
tween them, was he not rich aud she poor, he
one Of the elite of city, and she an unknown
country girl? But his assurance began now to
desert him. & r
Then you do not love me = he said, in tone
between astonishment and despair.
4 do not,' said Miss Trevor, half in pity
half haughtily.
Not after our constant association for the last
six weeks
Not after even that SIR said she, now quite
loftily. .s.. .5..
! Il don't understand it, Miss Trevor said Har-
ry, in a tone where vanity predominated quite as
much as love.
1 lam sure cannot explain it,
+ did you not talk with me, laugh with me
and walk with me in preference to all othersP
Really, Mr.. Havland.' said Miss Trevor,
coloring with anger, this grows impertinent.
am not aware of having given you any encour-
agement;' she added more kindly, 'for | never
suspected you were doing anything but amusing
yourself You made no secret, at first, Of your
intention to do so with me; you quzzed all coun-
try girls and myself in particular. may have
tried to be as pleasant as possible in order to
convince YOU that country GIRL was not. in