Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-10-26

steps towards the Clark's; music and
mirth met his ear, and bright lights
| streamed from the windows. Making his
greetings to the ladies of the house, and
uttering few agreeable truisms to those
about him, he sought among the beyies Of
| fair women one pretty maiden named
Fanny Day. She bade him welcome
! which seemed to say. ''come hither. y
He stood aloof. in no seeming hurry to
seek a place by her side, already half &C.
cupied by another, whilst his eye discussed
with keenest scrutiny the tout ensemble of
Fanny's dress. Conscious Of his earnest,
admiring gaze, Fanny seemed to hear the
quick beatings Of her own heart. and
hope. and fear, and love, came and went,
and went and came, like smiles and
shadows across her spirit. GA new and
splendid silk, thus ran Charley's thoughts,
''that looks extravagant the bracelet |
never saw before wonder ifshe is fond
of such gewgaws? What is that dang
ling from her hair gold pin or gold
tassel-I should like to know how much
it cost mot very love-lke comments, it
must be confessed; but he was looking
beyond the betrothed and the bride, to
what signified great deal more--he was
looking for "help meet" one for dark
days as we'll as bright. 81 am afraid she
wont do for me and this is her uncle's
bouse-she will want to live just p
Something like sigh escaped him as he
walked away to the other part of the
room. Fanny watched his departure,
wondering when he would return she
was sure he would rejoin her, by and by;
he always had of late, But no return
had he only known that Fanny's silkwas
not new one, newly turned and newly
fitted it had indeed been, by her needle
and her skill, so as to make it quite as
good as new; how prudent and thrifty
that was had be only known the brace"
let was gift two years before ; and the
gold pin. why it was a decoration, Dor
rowed to please his eye; SO Fanny was
not so culpable after all. | say, had
Charles known all this, he had not stray.
ed away SO strangely and eoidly all that
live-long evening, while Fanny's heart
was sinking. Mournfu!Iy did tear gath
er in her eye as she beheld him depart,
without parting glance or farewell
word
Charles Scott was not quite satisfied.
He really loved Fanny, but he was afraid
to marry her. 1t was not a sickly, seuti-
mental love. 1t counted the costs and
calculated the chances, albeit love, it is
said, understands no arithmetic, and knows
no reason. He had fixed principles of
action and settled rules to govern his
choice Of wife; he did not mean that
love should laugh him out ofthem or blind
him to their value. No, he determined
to abide by them.
Some time passed away, and never was
man more devoted to business. Perhaps
be dreamed of Fanny, but he did not visit
her.
Behold gathering of friends, a pleas
ant little company Charles is there and
Fanny too. He thought she never look
ed SO charmingly, with her simple braid
ofhair, and her fawn. colored dress; there
was something sad and reproachful in her
eye; it srnote him to the heart-Dear
Fanny, how can she interest my coolness?"
was the questioning ofreturning fondness.
ST mean to see her, and be frank with
her: and explain to her all my views-if
she is girl of sense, she cannot but APP
prove: if she is not"--such contingent
cy remained unprovided for; an excellent
Charles, abide by it. 1t SO
happened, or was so contrived, glove
chances are not always scrutible,) the
two found themselves threading their way
through the hushed streets at an early hour
Now for Charley's resolution-yes. he
kept it.
"But Fanny" he continued, with re-
markable selfpossession, with few pre-
liminaries not to be repeated, 81 want you
to understand exactly my situation--how
/ intend for the present TO live, and what
plans we must pursue. must live within
my means, and just setting OUT in life, my
means are necessarily small. am liable
to the fluctuations of the business world ;
we must begin with what we can indie.
pendently afford--no dashing out with
borrowed capital for me. You must take
all these into consideration before you
answer. Perhaps you may feel that you
cannot conform to such humble circum-
stances. | will not disappoint or deceive
you" At the moment, Fanny thought
she could decide instantly--for she saw
only rose-tinted future.
Now Fanny listened.
''Do not decide now, Fanny; think this
all oyer,' was his parting injunction. at
the close of this long walk, during which,
THOUGH he had said a great deal. he had
great deal more to saY--''and then decide
carefully and conscientiously."
Fanny did think it all over; much that
he had said was quite new to her. To be
married, it must be confessed, had implied
to her mind, what it does to the minds of
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