Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-06-13

eral form, was not In her. She TOLD me,
with wonder at my wonder, that the idea
of Disposer of all things had never en-
tered her mind till suggested by some
one else. She could talk and think of q
future life, but the thought of a GoD ru-
ling over the present, with whom she
had any connection, could find no foot
hold in her mind. I tried to rouse a
feeling that thought must only SUM
Der, but in vain. She would look at me
calmly and smile. One day concluded
an eloquent burst, "Do you understand
me, Meeta ?" 1 asked.
"No," she quietly replied.
desisted after this, but wondered
that such lack was not more visible,
and that it did not extend farther.
When our party was made up for New
port in the summer, wrote to Job Tai
fourd to meet us there. In common
with every one else be was dazzled with
Miss Carr, and at once devoted himsel
to her. The drives and polkas he beg
ged for were granted far more freely thar
to older acquaintanees, his flowers wert
worn, his instructions at the bowling al
ley accepted, etc.
One day was Praising him to her
when she said quietly, 81 do not under
stand your friend. Tell me his peculiar.
ities."
81 think his character easily read"
answered, watching her closely, ''witt
the exception of a sensibility as tender
as woman's. He is a poet, as you may
have discovered, and has, perhaps, in
dulged too freely in the license of genius
but you ladies will not like him the
worse for that"
As we rose to go in-we had been sit
ting on the piazza in the moonlight-Jot
suddenly came up the steps. l looked
quickly around at Meeta. Her face wa.
quiet, but I saw she was holding hel
breath TO keep the color from rising.
felt convinced that she had undertaken
to win Talfourd's heart--undertaken i
with all a woman's wilfulness, the more
quickly because she saw it would be
difficult. Yes, tbs proud beauty, so dis
dainful of admiration and homage, would
change her character and bearing, and
try all ways of winning DEVOTION
Strange inconsistency Fain would ]
have given her more help, but too wa:
puzzled with Talfourd. He went too fal
to go farther.
Late that same night, 1 was walking
down to the beach with him, when he
suddenly collared me, exclaiming, "DC
Won love Meeta Carr? ?''
What the deuce do you mean p
Hands off, 1 replied, shaking mysel
clear.
/ ''Do you love Meeta Carr 1 ask ?"
"Do you?'
"Yes-no-I don't know.
''Say no, then. Meeta Carr is not q
woman to be loved with hesitation"
81 know it." After pause he con
tinued,
"You have not answered my question
You have been playing a part. You love
Meeta Carr and she loves you"
"Take care, Talfourd, what you say
have not the patience of your name
sake"
"Namesake be hanged"
81 will answer you in plain words
l do not love Meeta Carr, and neve
SHALL"
"And why not"
81 deny your right to ask the ques
1ion.''
els she not worthy of being loved p
"Aye! nObly, sincerely"
''Has she not a true heart ?''
"Truer than you think with feeling
far more deep and underlying than yo'
. have any idea Of"
There was ahop the next night. How
radiant Meeta looked She was dressed
in white, her skirt caught with bunche
of y.leaves, and a garland of the SAM
| twined in her glossy curls. She wore
I splendid wreath on her bosom, reaching
, from shoulder to shoulder, which a littl,
/; marred the symmetry of her costume, bu
l fancied. and aiterward learned, that
was Talfourd's gift. He did not com,
until late, and then only said few word
to her, and devoted himself to little
t blue sylphide from Philadelphia. 1 no
ted the fierce pang of jealousy that sho
through Meeta's heart. Allthat evening
, she eagerly tried to attract his attention
: She who before had scarcely deigned t
: accept.
Satin slippers were beginning to loo
sOiled and frayed, when he rclinquishe
: her hand after the single dance he ha
asked that evening. l saw the feverisl
' expression in her eyes. Suddenly sh
, extended her arm in a strange manner
: l thought, and her bracelet lay broke
at his feet He raised it, and asked pei
! mission to have it mended. She haugh
tily refused. He seemed nettled at thi:
F. and turning hastily, left her without
word.