Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-06-14
his arrival. she held a council Of the ladies. and


for you; you are quite sure he wishes to pro.
posel"
'Oh. yes! know he only wants an oppor-
tunty. The dear creature-how pale and in.
tercsting he is looking!" N
This evening. after dinner. we will slip out Of
the room and leave them alone-then he is sure
to speak"
So it was settled The gentlemen entered
readily into tho plan, each one delighted to find
the fair Clementina was not after him. Mean.
while the unconscious Spooner was deliberate.
kind intentions towards him.
or course, he handed Clement:na down from
the drawing-room and the tender speeches
and atirctionate glances she bestowed upon
him during dinner.iimc recalled many Of his
last years feelings towards her. Indeed, he
would have been still more suhducd had not his
tmdity led him into mistake, the confusion
arising from which banished all thoughts Of
love from his breast. Not thinking himself
sufficiently intimate with the chief to call him
simply "McDun,' he actually addressed him
as Mr.. McDuml The head Of the clan looked
like an ins ulted lion, and an embarrassing 81.
lenco rcbukeJ the trembling offender. He had
scarcely recovered by the time when tho gen.
tlemen resought the drawing room, and he was
glad enough to seek Tor consolation from the
charming Clemenllna. who allowed him to
nestle close by her in a curtained recess. En-
crossed by her conversation, hc scarcely re-
marked the departure of most of the company
from the room but, at last aroused by the 81.
lence, he looked mp just in time to catch u
glimpse Of the last couple as they disappeared
through the doorway. and he and Clementina
were the only occupants OF the room. He felt
the awkwardness Of the position, and suggest
cd to her that they should follow the others.
"Why should we, Mr.. Spoonerl Do you
wish to &C away"
"Oh dear. no!-ony ihoughf-thcy are oil
gone somewhere" gaspcd Mr. Spooner.
Dear me! so they nre: but dare say they
will soon be back; but pray go if you wish;
don't let me dctain you"
What could Mr.. Spooner dot He balanced
himself on the right foot. then on the left, and
then sat down again. but al the other end of the
sofa. A pause ensued; he felt very like a
schoolboy for whom the schoolmaster has sent
something was evidently coming. There
was music on the chair close by. Clemeutina
took up a song, "Oh! had I but one loving
friend"
"Can you love me as friend, Mr., Spoo-
nerl" shc said. with sweet glance. ~.
"Oh yes. dare say can. if you wish il.
Miss kill-Loon," replied the unhappy man,
clasping his moist hands together. and feeling
as ifhe would have given the world for a thun-
derbolt to fall in the room. "What is she
going TO say next :" he thought He looked
at the door; if it had been open, he would havo
fed. 1t was shut-she would catch him be-
fore he could get it open. An involuntary sigh
escaped ficm his lips.
"Why that sight" she whispered. "Is there
any grief upon your mndl''
He determined to make an effort.
REALLY. my dear Miss Kill-Loon. if you will
excuse me-" .--
"Oh. Mr.. Spooner!'
She blushed and turned her head.
"Now is the time to bolt. he thought. rising
from the sofa.
"He is going to fall on his knees. she thought.
"If you will excuse me for few minutes"
began
She turned her head back again. She seized
his hand
~ know it ALL" she said. "You have coms
here on purpose to see me-"
Hear me one moment. Miss Kill Loon!"
He would have given the world to cry for
help.
"On purpose TO see me--to tell me all; hut
papa will never hear Of i,-but. OIL my heart"
sobbng. my heart has long been yours"
"Whst will become Of mel'' thought the un-
fortunate Spooner it must be dream. 1t
was too horrible to he true. No-she held
him firmly by the hand-.there was no mistake
about it,
Take this" at last she said. placing ring
on his limp, passive finger, and abstrocting bis.
the most valuable Of his gems, in exchange,
these shall be the tokens ofourmutual affection
She paused lille; and then. as Le seemed
incapable of doing or say ing anything. she left
him standing alone, and disappeared.
The company returned. Mr. Spooner plead.
ed indisposition. and retired TO his bedroom.-
In that night his whskers became prematurely
gray. Before breakfast time he was on tho
mail with his face towards the south. At Car
Isle he was laid up with a nervous attack, a.
rising. as the doctor said. from some excessive
mental agitation. On his recovery he returned
the ring in letter, the concocting of which
cost him four days ncessant labor and quar-
fers pay expended in stationary. Even then
he did not think himself safe. and he seriously
entertained project ofemigrating to some very
distant settlement. when one morning. in look
ing over the Times for vessels bound for Cali
fornia direct. his eye was caught by para.
graph =" 'N' +
''On December 3rj. at Loonty. Augustus Re-
ginnld Fiiz-Stephen, only son Of Timothy Ste-
phen, Esq. Of Camberwell, to Clementina Al
exapdrina. eldest daughter Of Hector Kill Loon.
Esq, Of Strathbogle,and niece Of The Medium"
Mr.. Spooner Immediately gave up all inten.
ton Of emigraiing. and became calm; but al
ways. to this day. shudders at the very name
of fGrouseslire. m ET4lI eas
A CnARAcTER-"Old Bumblebee" was the
cognomen Of Mr.. =, Of Newburyport;
he gained the title from the fact Of his catchinga
Bumblebee one day as ho was shngling his
barn and inendeavoring to decapitate the insect
with his hatchct cut off the ends Of his thumb
and forefnger letting the bee go unharmed.-
Other mishaps happened to the old codger up
on that barn. In one Of his distractions he
shingled over his spare hatchet; and cutting
small aperture in the building to let in a little
day light, this man actually inserted wooden
pane 40 being economical and not liable to DO
broken! Uncle t. in one OF his oblIvl-
Gus freaks. nailed his left arm SO firmly between
two boards Of fence he was putting up. that
he had to call for help to get extricated from
his selfimprisonment. He once put button