M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-06-01

'uS uNSIdCe you are so oDStlndtely Oent
on meeting, and her from the poverty
that would crush her youth, as to salts
ty my own feelings. What she is to
me, words cannot say. How will guard
and love her, my life only could prove.
Constance, what do you say2'
He paused opposite me, aud took my
hand. was like one in a dream
Love! Marriage! Brought up as had
been, al home, had specula ted less on
these popts than most girls of my age.
| had vague theories, indeed, gathered
from poets and novelisls; and my feelings
Tor Mr.. Lacy, man OF forty years ofage,
who had nursed me as an infant, aud
whom fegotfedwith almost Unlimited
reverence as one of the best and wisest
of the race, did not seem to correspond
with them, was unworthy Of the hon
or-incOpahle Of fulfilling the Office Of
wife to such a man. Wife!--it seemed
almost Iasphemous to mention the word
TO such child as | was, and | shrank
back from him towards my father, my
cheek ks burning,and my eyes full of tears.
You refuse me, Coustance7' said he.
Il should be villain to take advantage
OF my position, and urge you, Yet in
my heart believe could make you hap
pyj what would you have but youth thai
| could no; give you? There are many
chances against your ever being offered
again a strong, honest, undivided heart
like nine. No Young man could love
as do. Constance, what you might be
20 mel
The strange tone Of passionate earn
estness made my heart beat thick. |
glanced at my ia ther. lie was watching
me with intense anxiety; no need TO
question what his wishes were. As for
the meaning of this strange scene, |
wanted no details; enough that some
monetary crisis had come, that threaten
ed disgrace and ruin. | could avert it
and howl By marrying one whose af-
lection might have gra,iied the most
ambitious Leort-Oue o! the nObIest of
men--one loved, though perhaps not
as he loved me, In that hour of excite
meut aud in my unliscipinej mind, lit
tie was | prepared to weigh remote pos
sibIitieS and contingencies; besides, |
was ardent, eXci!able, apt to mistake
impulse ior sentiment. Constance,
what YOU might be TO mel wrought up
on my sensibility; bis expression of sub,
dued emotion still farther moved mel
1t never occurred to me to demand time
for explanation and reflection. ielt
constrained to answer him then and
there.
If / were less a child,'I said, blush
| ing end uembIing-'if | were more
your equal
TWAS enough; he drew neat and clas
ped me 10 his arms.
Child? he said, possionately, my
love, my wife! Then releasing me and
gazing atme seriously: You give your
self to me willingly Mildred; but will
not bind you. Six months hence, | vii!
give you hack your freedom, if you are
uot happy; and YOU will find it hard TO
deceive love like mine
My father rose aud grasped his hand
ia silence. God bless you,' he said at
length; 'Iwould have borne much to
secure a protector for my child. Leave
us, Constance, TO arrange some matters
that cannot be delayed even till the
morning
| was eager to obey, and be alone to
think; aud left the. room without a
backward glance.
That half hour had revolutionized my
whole being. | was a child no longer.
locked my bedroom door, to give way
to all the tumul,uous emotions Of a
woman. Sued for as a wile-engaged!
looked at myself in the glass, aud won
defed that man like Mr.. Lacy could
love such young, uninforued creature
as appeared. There was an incungrl.
ity in it that struck me painfully, Still,
there was distinction in his regard
that latIered me; had very high &c.
teen for him; was wurding of "a calam-
ity from ny fathers loved no one else;
no doubt should he very happy. | sat
down on the edge Of the bed, aud leaned
my head-littla used 10 ache with such
grave matters Of rehection--upou my
hand. Unaccust0med TO dream at tha,
moment an involuntary dream rose be.
fore my Imagination. Instead OF thi,
strange compact, the woong ofa youth
full lover; instead Of mere consent or
my part, the delicious hopes, the ricl
lIultion oil conscious, active passion,
might it not have been thus? If beau
" won love, l was fair erough; if fresh
ness aud strength of heart were needed
how mine thtobbed under the ideal bliss
The sound OF Mr.. Lacy's voice recalle,
me to d seuse Of my duty to him; it wa
wrong to dream Ol such girish posi-
bIilueS now.
lie was golng away, and my fathe
had accompanied him 10 the head OF the
stOlrcase. ! suppose he had asked hin
il he would not wish TO bid me goo,
night, for | heard him auswer-'No; sh,
would not wish to be disiurbed-l lea
TO weary her. God forgive me if | an
acting selfish pafl!' rose up reso
lutely, no more such weakness as tha
of the last hour; he was worthy of wo
mans love and honor, and would Civ,
1t. The next two months passed in
state OF tranquil happiness. If mani,
deN o!ion, il the most delicate and min
ute attentions could win a heart, min,
would have been won; and | thought i
was, aud reposed on the idea.