The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1850-12-23
Proorastination.

REORGANIZATION,
Yet could suffer Clara todepart? lmpos-
siblel Iwould that very day make my dec
laration.
But the day passed, and though was Of
ten alone with her, every time opened my
lips my heart beat so wildly, that co Id
not summon the requisite courage.
Dinner over, walk was proposed. Of
fered Clara my arm, and we wandered forth
into the meadows to enjoy the beauty of an
tumn evening. The 'witching hour ofeven-
ing has always a peculiar effect upon me;
and now, with the lovely Clara leaning up
on my arm, averting her melancholy face, and
scarcely breaking the silence except to sigh,
| felt ashamed Of my irresolution, and resolv-
ed to propose.
1t was easier to resolve than to execute
My heart fluttered so that | was afraid to
speak; accumulated nervousness made me
powerless. We rambled on. The last tints
from the declining sun had faded away in
the distant sky-the harvest moon was rising
full and brilliant--and Col. Grant suggested
the propriety Of our return before the word
had risen to my lips.
They are going home, said Clara, timidly.
Il could ramble thus all night l yentured
to reply.
There was pause.
Il hope it win be fine Tomorrow she said.
so do l. was my answer, then feeling
that it was very feeble sort of reply, | ad-
ded ,-'And this is the-last evening we are
Ito have you've shall miss you terribly
She said nothing,
Wa ,,ta1Lad o,, n fa,,, ,-a,de a,1d T ca;1
Are youno sorry to leave England?'
mo; lam an orphan. have few friends,
and no one to regret me- l g
do notch! do not say that, Miss Law
rencep | impetuously exclaimed, and then,
blushing, stopped suddenly.
felt her arm tremble within mine, and
heard low sigh escape her. trembled also.
expected her to speak-to say something
which should encourage me to proceed-but
she was silent; and we reached home before
the word had passed my lips. Upbraiding
myself for my timidity, determined that
at tea | should declare myself; Iwould whis-
per it to her at the piano.
The Fates had willed otherwise. Clara
was not present at tea. She was not well
and had retired to her own room. Next
morning she was gone
/ The state of despondency into which fell
at her absence was truly pitable. Mrs Grant
was excessihly cold in her manner towards
me, and also thought the colonel changed
But was too unhappy to pay much attention
to these things. was perfectly miserable
and neglected my flute.
What makes you so melancholly?' asked
Mrc Grant ono aftarnoop .
Am melancholy !? replied with an af-
fectation ofjoviality, Il suppose its because
Pm poetical.'
More likely, because you are proud
'ProudF
Proud @
'What can you mean q
f Il mean, Mr.. Meek, that you have tam
pered with the feelings of an excellent cir
: that you have lost an estimable prize, ant
YOU know it--lost it out of pride Do no
1 pretend amazement. You know you wol
, Clara's love, and yet allowed her to depar
without word from you. And why? Be
: cause she is poor
Indeed, Mrs. Grant, you mistake me.
have not trifed with her feelings. | low
f het; indeed do, upon my honor 1t wa
. only doubts Of her love.
Mrs. Grant shook her head incredulously
e Mrs. Grant give you my word as gen
II tleman it is So.
s you are willing 10 marry her?
Tomorrow
, Then lose no time! Quick 10 London
quick, Lady Doshwood must still be il
London. Go and plead your own cause
and ur tror,l for ~ Y,nulI ko (lu -
= the happiest Of women
/. That night was in London.
q After careful toilet went to Portmal
/ Square where lived Lady Dashwood; bu
: as | came up to the door began to hesitate
r surely, it was not proper to call at this hour
! | would call tomorrow afternoon.
On the morrow was in Portman Squar
!. by eleven O'Clock. The sight OF some gen
,,,,email looking out Of the parlor windo,
made me SO nervous, that instead Of knock
! ing at the door, l walked past. About a
hour afterwards returned, when 10 my di:
= gust found footman lounging at the doc
- What can these insolent fellows do, Away
- lounging on the door steps! could nc
= - face that hunky, so walked away again.
y Determined to write. The whole of IL
- - next Gay was consumed in writing, and j
\ tearing upwhat lwrote. Skilful as am wit
,s my pen, could not on that occasion pleas
4 myself; so | resolved to give up The plar
70 70 and see Clala myself, and open my heart t
E E her in the burning eloquence of words
Icalled next day, The house was shut
,f A bill was in the window. Lady Dashwoo
!, had gone abroad
came home and sohbed like child.
To this day am bachelor &
l. Tur .sT ,Asr r AsT, RE ..ucr AN Vor