The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-08-01

roau 10 explore IL.
1t was an enchanting little fairy cause
way, carpeted with turf, and canopied with
green; Cora was wild with delight. Hor-
ace seemed either less pleased, or more oc-
cupied with other thoughts, for he was un-
usually silent. Cora, observing his absent
mood, laughingly inquired the reason.
Horace rallied himself, and replied with
gayety, a little forced,
"Ah, Miss Cora, has not man in love
the sanction of Shakespeare, and all the
poets, to be merry or sad, absent or whim-
sical, at his own capricious will? claim
immunity under the laws enacted by the
poets in favor of distressed lovers-for do
you know, Miss Cora, you see before you
a man very much in love?"
cit is coming!" said Cora to herself.
"Well I'm sorry-perhaps 1 can laugh it
off," and she answered aloud, "Indeed! let
me take a good look then, for should
like to see the symptoms of state, come
to be regarded nowadays as problemat-
ical"
"Pray be serious, dear Cora, for my
sake" replied Horace, in an earnest voice.
~ cannot jest on this subject-it is one
too deeply involving my happiness. We
have not known each other long, Cora, but
/ am not one of those who believe that the
growth of friendship must always be count
ed by days and weeks. / think I know
you well, as if I had been acquainted with
you all my life-and I am sure you will
not think claim too much in asking you
to listen to me. The love feel is so deep
and earnest that it demands and must
have expression. May speak freely,
Cora?"
"Oh, no, no! /" cried Cora, in a tone of
distress-for though something of firt.
as have admitted, she was incapable of
a coquettish pleasure in witnessing her
victims pain, or keeping him in suspense
"Do not tell me any more-I am very,
very sorry if have done wrong, but do
not, and cannot return your affection"
Mr.. Henderson looked up in astonish-
ment; he appeared for moment not to
understand her, and then for few min
utes to feel some embarrassment, but he
said at last, with half-smile,
"You have made very natural mistake
Miss Cora, and one it would, perhaps, be
more polite, or at least, polite, to leave
uncorrected-but my policy is always a
straightforward one, and will confess it
was not to yourself I had allusion just
now, but to Miss c., of Boston. The
kind friendship you have shown me, in
duced me to hope you would allow me the
luxury of talking to you of what constant
ly occupies my thoughts. thrust you will
permit me to do so still, will you not?"
Cora's face was scarlet-she had made
the awkwardest of feminine mistakes
She dropped her horses reins, and hid her
face in her hands, overwhelmed with con-
fusion, and unable to utter a word
Horace caught the bride, and led her
horse for her, while he strove by saying
the kindest things in the worldly treat
ing the whole thing as trifling jest, and
by skillfully presenting to Cora the only
consoling feature in the case-that her
reply had been refusal--to Danish her
annoyance and modification.
After a. time she was induced to join
rather shyly in his laugh, and then fol-
lowed his promised confession. 1t con-
sisted simply of a lovers raptures over a
fair divinity, whom, Notwithstanding his
secret alteration, his poverty forbade him
to address.
Cora proved very sympathizing and
interested listener; and though she had
no advice to offer, Mr.. Henderson was
charmed with the absorbed attention she
gave his story, and they parted better
friends than ever, notwithstanding the
blunder she had made
A few days after this conversation, an
opening presented itself to young Hender-
son, in another city, and he left Spring
field to avail himself of it. He was alb
sent for about two years, and having sue
ceeded beyond his utmost hopes in his
business, he treated himself, one summer,
to the pleasure of returning to Springfield,
to spend his vacation.
AS matter of course, he renewed his
acquaintance with Cora. He found her
still unmarried, and unengaged; but quite
as pretty, and he thought, far more fasci-
mating than ever before.
The fact is, that having been entirely
cured of the youthful fancy he had enter
tained for Miss c., by the unexpected
marriage of that lady before his circum-
stances had so far improved as to justify
him in declaring his attachment, he met
Cora with heart free instead of fettered,
and he could not but see how very attrac-
tive, and loveably sweet she was.
His attentions were renewed, but in a
very different spirit from that in which
they had been rendered of old.
Cora, however, quite unaware of this