The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1847-11-04

mystery.
sThs is truly delightful said Paul one
evening to the widow, as he leaned his arm
over the back Of the chair, worked his face
up to the blandest Of all his acquiescent
smiles, and cssaycd some flattcring com
pliment concerning the widows fine en-.
tcrtninmcnt. This is delightful; so much
hilari.y and chcerfulncss-so many happy
faces, love to look on thcm.'
Paul Inadvertently rniscd his eyes as he
uttered these words, and Mt the close Of the
speech was looking straight into the wild.
ow's face. He meant not the least harm
in the world; but tho widow pretended to
blush. She purscd up her pretty mouth
%, Mr.. Pliant, You're great fattcrcr
but we know you are honest. You never
say one thing and mean another
Certainly, by nll means, my dear mad
am.'
sBut really Mr.. Pliant, my dcar sir, when
q gentleman tells lady that he loves e
look on her, You know that is really signif:
icant.'
% yes, certainly, you are quite RICH,
madam
well, you arc frank, Mr.. Pliant, and
shall certainly give you credit for sinccri-
ty. Another man might say ten times as
much and l never think Of regarding il;
but know can rely upon the word Of Sc
honorable gentleman MS Mr.. Paul Plant.
'Re'v upon my word surely you may,
Mrs. Wilful, ! should DO very sorry if
%, don't mention il, my dear sir. ne.
yer doubted it for moment; certainly you
never could have limited anything like at.
tachmcnt unless you had been sincere
Certainly, ma'am,' replied Paul in great
amazemcnt, with the conjecture how he had
been 30 unlucky rs to say more than lie
meant; for Paul would as soon have thought
Of jumping off a stccpIc, as Of telling wild
ow Wilful he felt an attachment for her.
Certainly, by all mcnns.' he continued 10
repent mechanically. %, yes, certainly
sPray, Mr.. Plant, DO so good as TO hand
me glass Of water; really, the room 10 &C
warm-just reach your hand
sCertainly, madam, my hand 10 entirely
at your service Paul wns in such ilut.
ter that he was not aware what he was Ut.
tering until the words were past recall
BLESS me! what have snid 2 thought he te
himself But il was too late.
20, Mr.. Plant! said she, blushing up Il
the cars, you arc too generous. | moan
you are almost too prcciptnte. Now were
il my othor uncu, I aliouid have suspected
him Of trifling. But such o man as Mr.
Pliantn
'Confound the jader quoth Paul to him.
self, show shall get out Of the scrapcg
hope she isn't going 10 faint. Mrs. Wilful
madam, YOU know ] shy thousand things
Of this sort. can't help il, you know
chats just what always supposed, Mr.
Plant; man Of your sincerity and frank.
ness can't help uttcring his true sentiments
Oh! like the honest man Of all things! O.
Mr.. Plan; you are IN honest mani
sNow this is too bad,' thought Paul, ia
great tribula,ion. What shall say Ny
dear madam, certainly wish to be honest
Compliments you know arc complimcnts;-
but when q man means nothing, YOU
know
Certainly, Mr.. Plant, you arc quite
right. When q man means nothing, be
should say nothing. knew these were
your sentiments. Wasn't rightr
% yes, by oil means; quite right 70
turned Paul, in deeper embarrassment thar
ever. He found himself fairly caught; the
widows eyes sparklcd, aud she languishet
three times at him. 4 won't speak ano.h
CT word,' said he to himseli--sit only make,
the matter worse He snaichcd cup O
whipped cream and pretended to cot il!
The widow saw his embarrassment, ant
whether she suspected his determination 4
resist oil farther attempts TO entangle hin
or not, we do not exactly know; but sht
wns resolved not to let him escape. A 81
lcnce Of some moments followed, till Paul
finding hc could not decently hold hi.
tongue any longer, set about for something
innocent to say. After some hesitation
upon variety Of topics, no judged it safe
to admire the carpet, from the carpet, Z
natural transition was made to tho picture
and from the pictures to the window cur
tains--thc window curtains led to the arm
chair, tho arm chair to tho sofa, and the 90
"a to pair Of little babies in alabaster OF
the chimney place.
Charming! delightful exclaimed Paul
not exactly knowing whether he meant t
DO understood Of the arm chair, or somt
other article Of furniture.
sAin't theyr said tho widow.
what harc | said ngainr qucth Paul t
himself, beginning to tremblo with appre
hcnsion. THE furniture 10 10 good taste
Mrs. Wilfnl--vcry clcgant--very fine.'
sAll vanity, Mr.. Plant said the widow
affecting very solemn look-'thcse thing
are oil vanity
% ycs--you are quite right-all vanity,
replied Paul, taking q spoonful Of whipped
cream, and finding he had got nothing il
hia mouth