M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1856-04-03


know that once during the morn.
ng q sudden mist dampened her ha-
eel eyes, for the wind brought the gay
rhythm Of the sleigh bells to her ears,
and she heard the joyous laugh of the
young party, as it leaped out, full and
rich, on the frosty air. -e-I
For moment the oaken desks, the
long benches of black, brown, and
flaxen heads, swan before her, and an
" I wish / was with them I" rushed
ingoluntarily to her lips. But the
after thought followed quickly, 81 am
glad Matte is there"
And when the work was done, the
last scholar dismissed, and the short
December day, reaching out its cold
arms to the night, Grace Hammond
knelt down in that little school room,
and thanked the Great Father that he
had given her strength to make this
sacrifice; that she had lived His great,
royal law in loving that dayher neigh
Dor as herself. - 80
It was a merry company the great
parlor Of the old hotel framed in that
evening, Sweet breaks Of laughter,
the eferyescehcc ii youth and glad
spirits, came over rosy iips,and bright
eyes GLANCED, and graceful figures
futtered abollt tholopg, old-faahioued,
room. 3 Q st.e,, . e 5ga sjg5.l Sca III
%ponltyou think itggery funny
Grace Hammond is Mt here; Jane ~
asked laJoung girl, as she eameup to
the eorperawhere the village belle sat;
her head leaned gracefully down to
some, complimentary speech which
Charles MppsOR was that moment
making hers; Err .asl 7aig3E 80 as
swell, | dom know.p And the
lady twisted her diamond ring round
her, white finger. ~ presume she
would have come, had she received an
invitation" -.-nc
There was a quick, half impercop-
tible curl Of the young mans lip, for,
notwithstanding his affront at her re-
fusal, Grace Hammond was to his
heart 'whatthe naughty lady at his
side could never have been. - w
a"I had the honor Of inviting her
myself" was the reply that well,nigh
sPrang to his lips, and, with all his
cLivalry, it was exceedingly dificUlt
to suppressit. a.,
But Matte Palmer had heard all
this as she stood near, leaning over
an engraving Of rustic life, on whose
naturalness Mr., Hunt was descanting,
and her iaee finished eagerly as shI
turned toward the trio, and her sweet
earnest voice answered: "Grace re-
mained at home TO take charge Of my
school to-day, SO | could come here
1t was gory, ae,y kind Of her." ~
Charles Munson's proud face bent
on Matte look that she could not
interpret ; look Of mingled delight,
gratitude, and tenderness, which she
had never seen there before.
lie understood it all now-the sac
rifice she had made. and the pain i
had cost her, and looking down in hi
heart, he felt, for the first time, who's,
face shone there, serene and holy, anC
that Grace Hammond was his souls
election. ,",...., -.-.r. ?
No wonder his companion repeated
her question three times before h,
heard her.
$50 you prefer school teaching t.
sleigh riding, do you, Grace 2 Yor
know always thoughty you something
of blue, but | never supposed you
would carry the matter to such lengths
1t was the morning Of the day at;
ter the sleighing party, and Grace was
leaning over the rare exotics which
occupied the deep recess by the sitting
room window; now peering into the
rich heart Of a half-opened moss rose
or cautiously lifting the delicate bell;
of, the clematis- blooms, sprinkled like
snow flakes among the dark leaves
She lifted her face from the flowers
among which it was half concealed
"Why, cousin Charley, good morn
ling! Who told yOu had been teach
ingp % d" '.. 2
"No matter now. You need n
blush 50 prettily about il, though yor
were very naughty girl for not tell
ing me the truth, and letting me g
off offended with you" And he laic
his hand on her shoulder, and looked
fondly down OH the dropping face
which surprise and embarrassment
was incarnating with bushes.
"Of course, | could MT tell you m,
motives for declining your invitation
cousin Charley" she said, unconscious
lily pulling off the geranium leaves, anC
scattering them on the carpet. 81
would have looked quite too mucl
like soundinga q trumpet i'll my owl
praise"
]; "You re a proud little girl, are n
you, Oracle ? But | do MT like yol
ANY the less for it." He smoothed
carressingly, the plaits of hair owe
the fair forehead. 81 wonder if 20,