Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1856-04-03

~ W tssf sfefs tts oetfcotc vetpe ebt Ghrea
Miss Cynthis, isit pleasant to you 20 ,.y.
. man say be loves yosf'
i don't know, Mr. Handy. suppose %.
That 10, I think IL is very embarrassing
sometimes
why smbarrsssiDs. Min Cynihiap
He was taking her on . new tack. IL
vas different from anything she had ever be-
fore experienced. She did not like this way
Of having his offer.
1T 10 embarrassing when I know that my
ouiy answer can be No. she said, looking
hiu iS the face moment, and then casting
her eyes upon The lime leaf she was dissect.
ing
1T would be more embarrassing, I think,
IL you we're not 90 sure, be ssid. and if You
took the matter into consideration
1t never wants any consideration with
me-. she answered.
What di6 you never place before your
mind the 'ubject Of marrisgei Have you
been satisfied With the vain ,riumpbs Of .
belle2 And did you never look beyond, to
see what the happy duties Of q wife, and the
sweet ties Of home might bel
Cynthia laughed, but the laugh was af.
fected and constrained. What nonsense,
Mr Handy
1t is not nonsense he replied such
thoughts are ft for maiden meditation
they are womanly-and romasiy, above
eserything else, l should wish my wife to
be- --------
Il hope she may be all yea sish ber, Mr.
Handy We will 60 now, il you please, il
you have finished my garland
ii is not ready for you yet,' said Handy.
passing it over one arm while hs took her
hand. 'Cyntbia, beloved you must listen
TO me
She drew her hand away, but he took IL
again aud resumed. You must let me feel
its pulses beat against my hand. while l tell
you the secret Of my life-of my life for
have always loved you loved you when
you were blooming little girl, and ~e both
went to school TO EEekias Reed, dear Cyn.
tina have loved you sgairst bope-at
times against my better .eason. Ibave hes
itated to tell you this, because encun bran
ees on my farm made my position less than
that which l thought ought TO be offered 10
you. i have watched you with your other
admirers aud. in some moments, have not
thought that any other had your preference,
so that other men have taken their chance
before me, This offer Of q professorsbip,
which addsa thousand dollars to my income,
makes IL possible Tor me to address you
Cynthia there are depths Of tenderness
which no human eye has ever fatbomsd. in
many strong mans beart-depths which,
perhaps, are never, BY tho shsllower nature
Of your sex, entirely reciproeated or under
stood. lt is not alone my heart, il is my
nature heart aud soul, mind aud strength
that / sffer you The love Of you, like
things which plants absorb and assimilato
into their own growth, has become part Of.
me This is tried aud true affection, Gym
thia. IL has waited patiently until the mo.
meat came when it might be offered to your
acceptance. Cynthia, il you will lay this
little band iu mine" (and be let il fall, hut
stretched out bis hand towards her,l Il will
strengthen you, aud elevate you, and guide
you. You shall be woman Of higher rank
(as God ranks woman,) for your union with
mans stronger, steadier, and more single
minded nature and, Cynthia, your inAu.
ence for good on me will be incaleul.bic.-
Who can estimate what nan owes to the
affection Of n womani All that I have in
me that is good will be doubled by your in
Auebee. You must draw forth-perhsps
crsats-the gentleness, deliescies. and the
tenderness that complete the manly sbarao.
ter
He paused, and Cynthia stood With her
hand hidden in the folds Of her mantle.
NO. she said slowly 4 am sorry, Mr..
Handy, but cannot be what you wsh TO
you
There was an embarrassed silence between
them for few moments, and then Cynthia
gathering courage With ber risibg pride, con-
tinued
81 am not good enough to spsuer your
expectations, Mr. Handy You must look
el.ewbsrs for the Kind Of woman Who will
satisfy you" I"
Handy started, and his face flushed eager.
~ He was about TO speak Cynthia caught
the lighting of his eyes; but when they
rested on Der face. be said that her words
we're not wholly sincere. aud the look faded
You are not dealing fairly With me. Miss
Cynthia nor yet With your own heart he
said little hitterly 'Yeu are not cou.
vineed of what you said this moment You
think IN yosT heart I AN = foolish fellow.
snd that ! ssktoo much You do MT think
that Cynthia Simpson falls short Of the
Tsasnbsbio ideal ofahy man
i doBt know shy you sAoaiJ ssy such
things said CyBibis, growing angry aad
nearly ready TO cry IL was the Grst time
any offer bad bosn made % her Which bad
not lsft behind IL = solf satisfied feeling q
triumph aud yet here wss Frank Handy.
~ ineamrsrsbiy superior "a any other suitJr
she hsd ever bad ~ Well. 90 matter
'Aiss Cyntbis.' sid Frank. vheu man
loves Woman. - I have long loved you, be
singies beF cot from tie shols world a. Lis
representative q uomsBhood and tbere is
that IN her before which he boEs doSn. do
log homaes 70 tbs Womans nature uithin
her But this does aot imply unconicious
ness q hsr faults Ile may see sbors she
comes short of Der ESQ espsbility Aud
that marriage Is true union 10 vhicb the hue
bsHd, op 70 wsom she looks. aud o. ubom
she shoall lean, strengthens her batter 10
iis struggle Agsinst Der WsfssF nature
They Usro saltinR towards the kons sstead
ssd sslkina fast cybttis was angry. dis
tarhsd aad noTtiasd Wss ttis time q
dssli sPon her faal,s' She a5mitisd that
she bad some Vsgae sonfsssioa by 40
assas implyisg tbs, Cyashis knss that, 81
that 'aomsbt she vas prDud, vais, Issiaesfs,
sd yeiulanf asa that she vas eyushiae
dovn ibs better fsslisgs n ksr Assri, % give
ihs victory uithin her 10 ths ssfst ~
Hshdy waited hsf, shs thought Ne aieht
ues kss with asfs fospeet 80 bee pssfes.