Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-08-06
"A penny for your thoughts, Mr.. Brady!'

Ialfly Stung MS cneeK IKE mHHoH VI
needles. "A penny, is it, Miss faith, an
it's dear they'd be at that same
and what might you be thinking of,
may I ask, Mr.. Mark said Bridget. ac-
companying the question with one of her
very sweetest smiles.
Just nothing at all, Miss, replied Mark
"Nothing!' then they Mould be dear,
and that's true Mark but supposing now,
she continued, archly; only say, suppos-
ing it happened to be your sweetheart you
were thinking of, you might fnd another
meaning for that same little word!'
Mark felt as though he had been detect
ed in some fault, as he replied, sketching
away on the floor faster than ever, sBut
what if hadn't sweetheart to think of,
Miss O'Conner.' 1t was miserable at
tempt at prevarication, and he felt that it
was.
why, then, should I say, as you're not
blind, it's mighty lucky you don't carry
such thing as heart about you. I'd be
ashamed if were you, rising twenty years
old and neither crooked nor ugly; it's dis
graceful to hear you say so-a pretty ex-
ample to set to the boys
'True for you, and so it is, said Mark
'and more betoken, it's a much greater
shame for me to tell any lies about the mat
ter; [ hare sweetheart, though she doesn't t
know it; ay, and have had one for this nigh
hand twelvemonth.'
fOn!y to think replied Bridget, cast
ing down her eyes, and effecting to conceal
some sudden emotion, and for twelve
month nigh hand Oh, dear !! don't feel
wellY
Mark was puzzled, in point of fact. en-
barrassed. There was something in Bird
gets manner he couldn't understand; he
had vague presentiment that there was
mistake somewhere, but when she, pre-
tending to be overcome, flung herself in
to his arms, the truth burst upon him at
once. He was in precious dilemma
Bridget was in love with him, and he felt
downright ashamed of himself for being SC
fascinating. What was he to do, or how
to extricate himself, he couldn't tell, as she,
casting fascinating lance right at him,
said softly:
Dear Mark, those good-looking eyes Of
yours told of your love long, long before
your lazy tongue.
Love interrupted Mark, endeavouring
to put in demurrer.
ITO be sure, said she, Il saw it, knew
it very well;' she continued, seeing he was
about to- gspeaks Z w hen. do -,nu mean &
talk to Aunty? You know my fifty pound!
are in her hands She was an heiress
Bridget was.
Pounds! Aunty yes, to be sure, re
piled Mark, perfectly bewildered, sbut
thoug Int Ned Riley was
'Peggy's sweetheart-well, we all kneJ
that interrupted Bridget, inly enjoyinI
the CONSERVATION that painted Mark
cheek livid white sAnd are you to be S
jealous of Riley, she went on, las not to dane
with me last night; [ knew the reason
but the jealousy that springs from love
soon forgot, so | forgot yours
Peggy! his sweetheart? Riley'sP
ITO be sure, don't you know they al
going to be married?
'NoY vacantly replied the sorely bewi
dered Mark.
ooh, yes and now I want to tell you
pet plan of mine, if you don't think n
too bold, Mark, and that is, how nice an
cosy it would be, if we could onl all
married on the same day.
This was too much for Mark he couldn
endure it any longer; he started up, pusl
ed his hat very far on his head, saying,
what he intended to be most severe tone
Miss O'Conner, | don't know VIII
could have put such an idea into your hea
Marry, indeed I've enough to do to tai
? care of myself. No, I'm sorry to wour
your feelings, but shall never marry!
'Oh yes, you will said Bridget, pl
! cling her arm in his, which he disengage
, saying bitterly:
s'Never! never!
Nonsense, I'll bet you will, and, if
was only to humor me, Mark, on the vel
same day that Peggy is!
Bridget, didn't think [ could hate
woman as I'm beginning to hate you.'
; Better before marriage than after, NJ
Mark. Come, I'll bet you new Sund'
coat, against calico gown, and that's lol
r odds in your favor, that what I've said W
come true
Y Nonsense!
e Us it a bet?'
t sPooh! I'll bet my life against =
0 sWhat it's worth Mr.. Mark just not
$ ing at ALL
: True for you, now, Bridget; true
e you,' and Mark suddenly quilted the hou
: in such real sorrow that it touched for
s moment even Bridget's heart; but Oh
r, for a moment. Pshaw thought she,
| him fret; it will do him good, and ma
r the JOY greater when he comes to know t
D. truth. A hunt would be nothing witho
y, hedges and bitches. Proceeding to t
y window, she uttered an exclamation of s,
prise.
ty Ha! as l live, here comes Peg herse
y, She must meet Mark what fun He s.
IL her and stops short; what quandary b
ou in. She sees him! How the little f
be bushes; now they meet. Mark does
Mt take her hand. | wonder what he's 8
he ing. Its fine day. I suppose, Or sol
lie thing equally interesting; he passes on, 6
as Peg looks as scared as if she had see
he ghost
81 A sudden thought at this moment seen
to strike Bridget; she clapped her ha
III together and laughed little, sharp lau
,or saying, 'Pll do it, will; I'll have a bi
yly fun with Peg, too so she pretended tc
len very busy at her spinning-wheel as Pc
by entered, and hanging up her cloak and
net, sat down without saying word.