The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-12-19

VI N'h' VIII.
"Ha IIa !" laughed Miss Bentley.
IL s:c that Mr.. Fort understands the
Vulnerable points in your position, and
can return Your shots with effect. -
This ! certainly had done, for Miss
R blushcd deeply; but cilrcting
nomrhnloncc, she laughed with us.
The afternoon sped rapidly away,
and what with laughter, aud song; aud
wordy jest, evening come on al
most before | was aware orits approach.
Declining All invitation to tea, and sha.
king the hand OF each, l walked to.
wards home.
did not long remain in ignorance
Of her position. She was an orphan
girl-thc honsckccpcr at MIR. Rs,
but ever treated as one Of the family.
Months rolled round in their usual
course, and | visited there frequently
in company with an acknowledged suitor
of Miss II R.. This threw nc more
Particularly into the socicty Of Mary
Bentley, whom found b. larmorc con.
genial company than her friend. She
WAS ice (a'llost to io!iy) aud open
hearted and kl:'l, AID I.crc Was a
freshness about her hearts earl. SYM
pathics that it was pleasant to be with.
The dew was "n every loIc-thc flow
els OF lifr's morning were ojcn. neither
~i,.;@'cI by the sunshine Of prosperity
nor !.astcd by the storms Of adversely.
1t Was not long before we came to see
and think and speak alike, and cluny
together as natural y as ivy and oak.
Among other a;nus"mcnts frequently
enjoyed was riding Oh horses, and it
was not the least agreeable; for, the wood
land scenery abcut---is very beau
tiful. We were returning from ride
one evening when our conversation
turned Upon Irritation. After repeat
cd assertions that l had never lilr!cd
during the period Of my natural cxis-
tcncc and knew nothing Of the game,
she plavtully constituted herself my
teacher: and proceeded 10 initiate me
into its mysteries.
'To Commence said l, "suppusing
l take your hand-lhc next step pre-
sumo would be 10 press it."
Stop, stop, sii - said Mary: YOU
proceed too fast, it is hardly time Tor
that vet"
AS you please replied; "you
will find me an obcdicnt scholar.'
The introductory lesson was contn-
ucd until we reached the door, and
awaiting the company who fingered be-
hind, she proceeded with instructions
concerning my conduct On the occasion
OF my next meeting with her. These
were concluded as tho loitcrcrs arrived,
and bidding the ladies adicu, my gen
tlcmcn companions and myself rode
homcward.
My fair instructrcss pursued the
theme declaring that | was an apt schol
ar, (who wouldn't have been y and SO
Admiralty did VIC play the lovers, that
what was jest with us appeared to the
world clearly earnest. Dame Gossip
soon counted us rs one. The thing was
pleasant enough, and as the agreement
was that neither should ask for n ccssa-
ton Of this minnie coultship without be
ins willing to acknowledge won, and it
became fair reality, | went on, little
dreaming it must shortly end. AS l
was i'll the garden Oh a beautiful even
ing in the fall, she said to NE in scri-
Gus tone" Charles, it is time we should
cease this idle l,lay. 1t seems to me
very like tritllny with sacred passion.
"Say you 50, my lady lovc!' replied
gailv; Sand you acknowledge that ten
der heart Of yours given over to my
keeping"
II do not say that, Charles; bnt eve
ry one speaks Of us---wc are subject to
the worlds remarks. Do you know
said she ",hat they say we are cnga-
gcd!"
And if they do l replied, "do
you so much re -arl the worlds idle
tongue +? For me, give me pleasant
hour ilnoccm:ly eng, ed, and the world
may talk itself hparsc an take to bed
with a sore throat, and would not 50
,nnch rs once send to know when it
might be convalcsccnt.'
NC, 10, Charles; it is not for that
but, ''Sald She, sadly, and pointing
slowly towards the house, 81 have
friends to please
"Mary,' said | 81 am sincerely
sorry, Tut | suppose it must be-.