Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-07-30
CARROLLTON, OHIO~FRlDAY, JULY 30, En

"Mr. AshIey's name was gwen u me, SIR" re-
| Piled Mary, with more calmness Of voice Than
feeling, Tor her father was nolaccus,omed to trou.
bic himself with regard TO her acquanances.
"And IS be that shabby-looking fellow who
came up The steps just before mel'
perhaps So" said Mary, the blood mounting
to The temples, Mr.. Ashley is rather careless II
his dress"
Judge Nlnsowsnode on to the parlor. and Ma
I ry paused moment with her hand pressed upon
her ihrobbing temples, to collect her bcwdcrsj
thoughts before she entered the room.
! "Swects 10 the sweet" said Ashley, rising ss
she entered the room. "Wil Miss Winslow &C.
ceP' 'rliie!' aud he placed in her hand taste.
Iuily arranged bouquet Of rare eXolics.
/ Mary fixed her eyes upon the costly gift and
uttered q cold and somewhat formal lucknow edg-
menI. 30 closely had she connected with Mr.
Ashley, IN her mind. an idea Of extreme puvcry,
that she felt surprised and somewhat panied, Ly
/ the present. She had every reason to suppose
that she was not an object Of indifference 10 him.
aud she thought thai he had doubtless Obtained,
at sacrifice 10 himself, that which was Of liue
or 10 value TO her. Besides, she felt that she
had. perhaps, been wrong in allowing her &C.
quaInlance 10 progress 10 d degree Of intimacy
with person Of whom she knew 50 liule. True
he had been introduced 10 her BY a friend on
whose Judgment she relied, aud il was Oh Ihis
ground thar she had constantly excused herself
/ Tor the favor with which she received him. Per-
haps this introduction was \ forgery. She did
not believe il, yctiIwas snoiImpossble. Buno, it
1cas impossible. Mr.. Ashley possessed a high
tone Of thought and feeling, d lofliness Of SEMI
mcnt and Of principle which she had never met
before. She was sure that he must be all that
was good, and more than he appeared. Yet her
elegant acquaiulanceS had started when they met
him in the parlor; Miss Carpenter was loud in
her prOIesallOnS against her receiving such com
pany, and Carolhers, a friend Of long standing
and decidedly good sense. had read her homily
upon admitting to her society persons Of 50 hum
bic appearance, of whom she knew nolhing.-
All this Mary had weighed and pondered in her
heart, but without changing her conduct towards
Ashley: he was still the prominent object in her
minds eve: the remarks he made on various sub.
Jccls were constantly recurring: his judgment,
his TASTE, his principles, seemed model on which
she was ian 10 form her own. She could not
but confess 10 herself that he was an object ofno
common interest Yet her fathers question and
barrassed and absent in her remarks, aud when al
last Ashley asked her TO accompany him on a
ride that afternoon, she started aud he was obi.
ged TO repeat the request before she comprehen.
ded il. And then, as she attempted 10 slammer
u halfframed excuse, she felt his deep, darL
eyes fixed Searchingly upon her, and she stopped
short from confusion.
81 understand you, Miss Wnslow," said Ash.
ley, rising, after waiting in vain for her 10 finish
the sentcnce;-"l understand you perfectly
Nor do in the least desire thai you should con-
sent to appear in public with one whose society
you would consider disgrace. ! was wrong in
supposing that ever your mind could overlook
the distinctions of rank and station, and meet It's
fellow as its equal. Forgive my presumption.
| will annoy you with my presence no more
Farewell"
His hand was upon the door; it was opened,
and nearly closed behind him before Mary had
recovered herself; but then, starting suddenly up,
she exclaimed
"NIr Ashley, stay. You shall not think thus
of me- will CO."
! mo, Miss Winslow, do not wish that your
generosity should lead YOU 10 do that which costs
you so evident struggle. Your happiness is oi
more value TO me than my own gratiication.-
Fortune has placed an impossible barrier between
us, and it is better that we never meet again.
Withdraw the invitation. Good morning."
Mary had recovered her self-possession and her
decision. mir. Ashley" said she, "wl you
ride with me this aliernoonF"
81 will"
"Ah, Mary Winsow. whereas the boosted calm.
ness of thy mind! the cold discretion which has
been thy pride! Where are the guards with
which thy heart is setl Behold, thou art weep.
ing like a child over the image of one whom thou
woudsl Gain Danish from thy heart. What is the
paper which lies crushed in thy hand! A note
that lay concealed in that bouquet. Thou has
read it, and what does it contain! Words of bur
ming import to hyself, and Of little value to the
world beside Keep them, then; we would no
know them, for. even with thee, they bave bu
added to thy grief. But hush, thou art calmel
now; what are thy words! "Why was he evel
doomed 10 cross my path? why have | suffered
myself TO become thus interested in one upon
whom all others look with contempt Am no.
mistress of my own atfectionSl 1t were better
that we had parted then, but it was so sudden tc
think of never meeting him again. Yet it shall
be. This meeting shall be our last. | will tel
him frankly how regret our acquaintance, ant
| know that he will approve my judgment,-hc
will respect me the more for dealing openly viii
him. (Ha! what carest thou for the respect o
one whom it is thy duty to despise3) Yes, | will
do it. My father shall not have occasion 10 fee
annoyed aboutthe persons with whom associate.
Aye, Mary, thy father has been thine idol and hi
wish thy law Is there yet bond on earth tha
can bind thee more strongly than thsl vii
thou abide by The wise resolution thou hast form
ed! We shall see.
CHAPTER ".
"If his head and heart are what think then
10 be, would marry him though he were chin
ney'sweeP," and Mary returned her fathers Sc
rious glance, with look as calm and decided as