Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-05-12


hand than TO you for offering it like Charles
well for cousin, but | should not like such
husband at all SO if this refusal be the worst
that has happened. there's no great harm
done" And off the gypsy ran, declaring
that she must put on her habit, for she had
promised to ride with Sir Edmand and his
sister, and expected them every minute.
The father and the. fayorite daughter re.
manned in the conservatory.
"'rbe heart is untouched however" said
Mr.. Wordsworth, looking after her, with a
smile.
Untouched by Charles woodford, I'M
doubtedy," replied Agnes "but has be real
ly refused my sister Y
"Undonbtedly."
"And does be love another =
"IIe says be does, and believe him"
us be loved again."
That be did not say" tslt
"Did be tell the name of the lady p
"Yes."
Ills she worthy of hm?'
"Alost worthy" i
HAS he any hope Of gaining her affections ?
Oh, he must! What woman could refuse
him r.
"He is determined to try. The lady whom
he loves is above him in every way, and as
much as be has counteracted my wishes. it
is an honorable part of Charles Woodford s
conduct that be intends to leave his affection
unsupported by its object"
Here ensued short pause in the dialogue,
during which Agnes appeared trying to oc-
cupy herself with collecting the blossoms of
a cape jessamines. and watering favorite ge-
anium but it would not do; the subject was
near her heart, and she could not force her
mind to indifferent occupations She return
ed to her father, who had been anxiously
watching ner countenancc, and resumed the
conversation.
Father perhaps it is hardly maidcnly to
avow as much. but although you never have
in set words told me Of your intentions, have
yet seen and known, | cannot tell how, all
that your kind Partially towards me has de-
signed for your children. You have mistaken
me, dearest father, toubly mistak en- il, think
ing ne fit to gil splendid place in society !;
next in imagining that desired such splen.
dor. You meant to give Jesay and the lu.
cIative partnership to Woodford, and designed
me and your large possessions to your veal
thy and titled neighbor And, with little
change of persons, these arrangements may
still for the most part hold good Sir Edmund
may still be your son in law aud heir, for he
loves Jessy and Jessy loves him. Charles
Voodlord may still he your partner and adopt
ed son. for nothing has passed that reed d.
minish your affection or his merit. Marry
him to the woman he loves She must be
ambitious, indeed, If she be not content with
such destiny. And let inc live on with you.
dear father single and unwcdled, with NO
thought butte contribute to your comfort, and
to cheer and brighten your declining years.
Do not let your too great fondness for me
stand in the way Of their happiness. Make
me not so odious to them, aud to myself, dear
father Let me live always with you, and
for you-always your swn Agnes. p And
blushing at the carnestness with which she
had spoken, she bent her head over the mar
BILE basin. whose waters reflected her fair i'm
age asst she had really been the Grceiar
statue to which, willie lie listened. her fond
fathers fancy had compared her. "Lct me
live single with you, and marry Charles tc
the woman he loves
"lla,e you heard the name Of the lady il
question !? Have you formed any guess whom
she may be p
mot the slightest Imagined from villa,
you said that she was stranger to me
Have ever seen her q
"You may see her-at least YOU NAV sec
her reflection in the water at this very mo-
mcnt; for he has bad the infinite presump.
ton, the admirable good TASTE to fall in love
with his cousin Agnes"
Father"
"And now my own, my sweetest. do you
wish to live single with me p
"Oh, father father
"Or do you desire that 7 should marry
Charles to the woman of his heart ?"
Father. dear father !"
Choose, my Agnes. 1t shall be as you
command Speak freely. Do not cling
around me, but speak "
"Oh, my father. cannot we all live togcth-
or? cannot leave you. But poor Charles
surely, father We may all live together"
And SO it was settled. And few, few
months proved that love had contryed better
for Mr.. Wordsworth than he had done for
himself Jessy, with her prettiness and her
title. and her fopperies, was the very thing
to be vain of--tbc very thing to visit for a
day. But Agnes, and the cousin. whose no.
BILE character and splendid talents so well de-
served her, made the pride and happiness of
bis home.