The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1852-02-20

sin,gs cs,ne seeih Since bis former kis;t, Ii.
Inew btacelst had nut been seen. Now 4
was worn again. As we knew he Youne
man well and liked him the better the more
ultimately we knew him, we saw no impro-
pFie:g q leaving the young couple alone ID
Ithe 9aftor.
From that time, there was marked
change inmy niece. She was less spgiehlly
and more absent minded than usual. NEXT,
her appetite failed her, and she began ID
grow thin and lose her color-sure signs Of
a heart disease. Meanwhile, Loring was
constant ,isiter, and whenever he came,
the brucele was displayed, evidently in TO-
ken that she knew from whence II came,
and wished its iull acceptance TO be under.
stood. AT last, 1Rceiyed formal visit
from the young man, and formal offer fol
the hand Of Kate OF course, | had no Oh.
Ilections TO urge. The matter was, in my
mind, already fully settled.
Afier that, the bracelet alore entioned
was elwdys to be seen on the arm Of Kate,
One evening, il was about month be fore
her wedding day. as sat talking with Kate
for whom my affection bad slways been as
tend as that of father for his child, | took
her AMI, and said, as examined the brace
1t
'Ih I is very beautiful
'Yrs, | have always admhei il yery
much, she replied, the color growing warm.
er inher checks.
"a oye-token, ! presumef
And as said this, looked at her urehly.
The hue of her cheek became still deeper.
"A Valen.ineq' Iadded.
The blood mounted 10 her temples.
But 1t was not an ordinary Valentine =
1t did not come from triner, and was not
received as an insult. thought you were
not the girl, Kate, 10 reject sincere Offer
Kate blushed still more deeply.
"This little love token, dear Kate, is for thee,
Acceptit, and keep it, and wear it for me-"
AS repea ted this couple., the young girl
started with surprise, aad looked with in.
curing earnestness in my face.
But Pm afraid, Kate said I, with a
meaning smile, and voice half-regretlul in
its tone, that you wore it less for the real
than for an imaginary giver.'
She did not reply but looked al me more
earnestly, while sudden light appeared 10
Uiedk upon neI Ullnu. tH
Dear uncle said she, at length, bending
towards me-, had you seen this bracelet
before you saw it on my arm?'
Yes, love, wos my tenderly spoken reply;
and | pressed her pure forehead with nv
lips as Ispoke.
And you sent itY
She seemed half breathless as she awaited
my reply.
Yes, dear
She covered her face suddenly with her
hands and sat motionless for some moments
In little while, ] saw a tear come stealing
through her fingers. My feelings were
touched, for l feared lest / had done yio-
lence to hers by this little confession of the
truth. But, ere had looked for composure
of mind; she withdrew her hands from her
face, on which an afectionate smile shown
like rainbow amid the parting drops of
summer shower, and said, os she arose
'Henceforth, | will wear it for the real
giver.'
Bending 10 kiss me, she left tear on nv
cheek, and then glided from the room.
On her wedding night, Kate wore her
Valentine bracelet; and am weak enough
to believe-if the sentiment may be called
a weakness-that she priced it even more
highly than if Loring himself had been the
giyer.-Arthar's Home Gazette.