Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-04-13

putting bernardS smallest trunk into the
carriage, leaving the others at the hotel
He no stop to look at none of the ships.
nor big biIdins and hardly to eat : won
der what's de matter wild him He looks
kinder dreamy like, too, and hardly an
swers when | speak to him
When he arrived in Mary's neighbor
hood, Bernard stopped at country tav-
ern, took dinner aud engaged lodgings
and then proceeded on his way He had
heard that Mary was poor, and he ex-
pected to find her, if at all in very hum
| Die circumstances so that he was agree
ably disappointed to have respectab BILE
| country house, with neat gardens and
fences, pointed out to him as her resi-
dence
They drove up to the door, and Ber-
nard got out and knocked, with his heart
beating about as hard as his hand.
After waiting some minutes in suspense,
the door was opened, and beautiful
young girl stood before him. She was
dressed In coarse calico. with the sleeves
rolled above the elbows her hair was
done up IN papers, and her whole appear
ance gave evidence of the active exercise
in which she had been engaged. L had
not dlmmcd the beauty of her rosy cheek.
/ however or the lustre of her radiant
dark eyes, or the purity of her white,
finely formed brow, or the beautiful out
line of her graceful form; and Bernard
hesltated a moment, in silent admiration.
before he ventured to ask if Miss Aston
was at home
My name is Aston, sir said the Young
| lady, bushlng to the temples
But Miss Mary Aston
Is my sister. sir walk in, and I will
call her.
She seated him in plainly furnished
parlor, went out, and Mary presently
made her appearance, much improved,
Bernard thought, in grace and beauty,
and received him cordially
But you have really surprised me.
Mr.. Hamilton said Mary. after the first
greetings and enquiries after the Masons
were over did not suppose your sum
mer rambles were to extend to this part
of the country
1t was not my intention to visit New
England. when we last parted, he replied.
but some peculiar circumstances induced
me to change my route and as Mr. Ma
son had given me your address, [ deter
mined to call and see if [ still held a
place III your remembrance
20 certainly said Mary, who did not,
as yet, suspect the true cause of his visit
: We have passed too many pleasant hours
together, at Mr. Masons. to be so soon
/ forgotten, and the stories Of foreign lands
with which you favored US will live in my
memory for many a day
+ Aud viii memory Of him who related
them live there too 2 said he, in peculiar
/ tone.
Mary raised her eyes in some surprise
to bis face and the look she met revealing
+ to her the truth she instantly framed a
reply to suit the circumstances
es,' she said, as the rich blood Grim
soned her cheek the memory Of all who
have been my kind friends and compan-
ions, Will ever be treasured in my heart
and upon this day, of all others, l would
gladly welcome them all
Why this day, more than another p
said Bernard in surprise
Because 1t Is to be my wedding day.
said Mary, calmly.
Your wedding day said he. starting
from his seat. and regarding her with
look Of blank amazement,' while his face
grew very pale. Your wedding day, he
repeated
Yes said Mary. her voice trembling
little, expect to be married this even
ing, and should be happy to have you
grace the occasion by your presence
You cannot have 1t, Miss Alston,' said
he, passionately, for | love you too well
to see you made the wife of another |
was rich and proud, and sometimes
Stunned and treated you coldly at Mr.
Mason's; but | loved you, Miss Aston,
at that very time, and when love at last
subdued my false pride, you were gone.
and it was then that resolved TO come to
New England, and if possible win the
love | should now prize so highly. 0, do
not say that | am too late, Miss Alston,'
said he, pleadingly.
1t has ever been too late, since we
met, Mr. Hamilton for all the love | had
to give was another'S before [ went South
but do not, [ entreat, think of it 50 seri-
ously there are ladies enough, superior
to me in beauty, wealth aud talent from
whom, with your advantages, you can
choose a companion
[ do not want them. Miss Aston if
cannot have one in your image, said he,
rather crustily.
But if you could have one in my i'm
age, only much handsomer. said Mary,
for the first time beginning to smile
As if to give substance and form to the
idea, Mary's sister at this moment ap-
peared at the door, looking more beauti-
ful than ever, now that the curl papers
were taken from her hair
Mother wishes to see you, Mary she
said, hcsitatingly.
Then you must entertain Mr. Hamil-
ton, said Mary. rising. My sister Lucy.
Mr. Hamilton, said she. as she left the
room.
What a situation for sensitive. we'll
bred man. was this To have immed-
ately left the room and the house. as he
could have wished. would have been a
gross breach of politeness and how. in
his present agitated state Of mind, he
could begin conversation with perfect
stranger. surpassed his comprehension
+ IL 81 t Il