Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-03-07

anu cares, ana ScrrOWS, WHICH single woman
without relations or fortune, must encounter. y
Chow careful you are, my dear aunt, foi
my happiness said Clara, gratefully. II
wish / could follow your advice; but should
wrong Mr.. Tineford's generous heart if
married him when do not love him.
| "You would love him, Clara''-
ooh! never attempt to persuade ME that
love can be awakened after a marriage, when
there is no kindling of affection before the ce-
remony. 1 should undoubtedly esteem him; j
hope, treat him with propriety, but 1 never
should loved him, and you know have always
declared that 1 would not marry except 1 low
ed the man to whom pledged my faith.''
Mrs. Crosby looked distressed. ssI must
then relinquish all hope" said she.
ssYou think that if / have lived twenty-nine,
years without being in love, that my heart is
ossified, suppose" said Clara, laughing.
81 think when young lady has had the
numbers of admirers and offers which know
you have had, and rejected them all, that
there is little reason to expect she will receive
others. have made up my mind that this is
| to be your last offcr.''
e'You said the same, dear aunt, when I re-
I jected Mr.. Bellows
| ssHe was good man, and is highly prosper
Gus. 1t would have been an excellent match
for you.''
| ga most wretched one-for positively dis
| liked him--he was SO pressing and particular,
| he would have driven me crazy with his small
fdgetings and solemn reflections. / would
rather prefer living like Madame Roland, in a
! garret on beans, than to have married him,
| though he had been rich as Rothschild.'
aThen, there was William Hopkins, he was
a fine talented young man; thought for q
| long time that you liked him.
ssI did like him as child does its rattle, for
| the amusement he always made me; but
could not respect man whose manners were
so frivilous-so like my own. Is not that a
candid admission ?''
ssBut what could you have found to cavil at
in the character manners of that noble
young man, Lucius Howard? 20
she was too perfect for me, dear aunt, re-
piled Clara; a blush crimsoned her check, and
there was slight tremor in her voice she
added-ssHe never offered me his hand.''
ssClara, l am sure l understood at the time,
that you rejected him.
ssNo, no, aunt-you were deceived;'' Clara's
voice grew firmer, though her face was deadly
pale; while she continued-ssI have long wish
ed, long intended to conide my weakness and
disappointment to you; but, it is so humilia-
ting to own one has been crossed in love, that
L never could find the opportunity when my
mind was in right mood. Now it shall be
4 faa naI I Il or;,r
in declining to marry Mr.. Tineford-you
would not wish me to VOW at the altar to love
him, when my heart is irrevocably devoted to
another. Yes, I did, love Lucius Howard,
and-he-loved me, but thought me unworthy
to be his wife, She covered heI face with
her hands, and burst into tears.
s'Clara, my darling, this cannot be. He
never could have thought you unworthy
but he might fear you would reject him.
said Mrs. Crosby.
s.No. no,'' replied Clara, in voice of deep
agony; seno, he knew that loved him, and /
believe he had little doubt that [ would accept
him; but he thought permitted or rather
couraged attentions from others. You know
how many admirers had in those days, when
l rejected Mr.. Tineford and a dozen others;
there was then no shadow on my beauty, and l
triumphed in the power it gave me. Fatal
power, most foolishly used to yex the noble
heart that loved me, and whose love I return
ed. trifed, till Lucius Howard thought mea
confirmed coquette, and when he acknowledge
ed his deep affection for me, he told me that he
did it to prove to me the consistency of his
principles as he knew he had often betrayed
his love, he came to make the avowal openly,
but at the same time to tell me that he did not
seek return, that he did not ask my hand-he
believed our dispositions and tastes were too
dissimilar to allow him to hope for happiness
with me. He invoked heaven to protect and
bless me-and took leave of me-for ever"
Mrs. Crosby was sadly distressed and con-
founded by this disclosure. She had always
thought that her neice remained single because
she found no one to suit her fastidous taste.
Never had she dreamed that Clara, the gay
Clara Dinsmore, had nursed secret and hope
less passion. Mr.. Howard, she well knew, had
left that part of the country entirely; he was
settled in the ministry at the South-she had
heard that he was one of the shining lights of
the age, and she felt almost certain she had
heard of his marriage, too-so she could not
fiatter her dear Clara with the least hope of ev-
er renewing her acquaintance with him. But
if she would be persuaded to accept Mr.. Tine
ford. who she doubted not would be too glad
to marry her, though she had loved another,
the good aunt thought she might still look for
ward to days of happiness for her niece. So
she began her work of comforting, by remark.