Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-04-17
clouded the fine features of the young
man, as he turned them on the lady.
". A

lVAVuoCO tuC uuU iOdIuIco vi tuc yOuI
man, as he turned them on the lad
'Yes l am, Charley. An engag
. ment forthe day, renders it qui
impossible for me to 60. I'm sorr,
f but it can't be helped
5 Spite Of her efforts, there was a Ii
> tie thread of disappointment runnin
through the studied calmness of th
speakers voice.
J "A fiddle for your engagement
Grace, why this will be the creates
sleighing party of the season..
Come, now, don't think of staying a
home-we can't do without you, s.
go and get ready, that's good girl
Poor Grace! it was hard to resis
the pleading Of those dark, hand
some eyes, for Charles Munson wa.
very dear to her.
Charley, do not urge me. / an
very grateful for your invitation, aud
it pains me more than you can i'm.
agine to refuse it, but l am compel.
ed to do this
II her manner was cold, it was be.
cause the words cost her a great el-
fort.
Very well, Grace; of course shall
not press my claims any farther
Excuse me, if in my desire to have
your company, l have been impor-
tunate. Good morning
There! he is offended. knew
it would be so,' murmured the girl,
as che sank back on the sofa, while
the tears brimmed over her brown
lashes, for she was making q great.
sacr ifice this morning
But it was wearing towards 9 O.
clock, and she had but little time for
reflection.
'Gracie, Oracle, how shall l thank
you?'
Grace stood at the window wait
ing for the sleigh to take her to the
school room, when the words reached
her ears. She turned quickly, why,
Matte, what in the world brought
you over here?'
i could not 60 without thanking
Iou. Oh, Grace, you have made me
80 happy! And her arms we're a.
'ound Graee's neck, and tears falling
rom her large, mellow eyes.
you are a naughty girl,' said
Trace, half scolding her, and will
poll that charming face after all my
'ains, and she stroked the rich brown
urls that fell out of the black straw
onnet.
DO you know YOU are going to
pend the day with the only son of
millionaire, and who, by this invi-
alton, gives very strong evidence of
aving been captivated by your
self?'
Matte placed her hand on Grace's
ps, and shut back the tears from
er eyes. Grace she said, and
er voice, tremulous at first, grew
trong and deep with pathos as she
rooeeded: j must be growing very
eak, for it was SO hard to. refuse
nat invitation this morning. You
now it is SO long since / have had
ny relaxation, and this barren, toll 1
,me life seemed to be closing around L
10, and struggled yainly through II
, lifting my hands up With sharp 1
y for the blessings that never filled s
lem. And somehow that invita- d
on was such a mockery to me; for b
ou see, ! was growing morbid and 4
fought how they would all go oA. q
aviDg me choked in by the bare y
alls of the school room. Well, / !.
t down and wrote my regret with Il
lch a heavy heart. Just as ! had Ii
lished, your note came-oh, Grace, p
w shall ! tell you the rest?'
by saying nothing about it, Mat. ]
}. And now do you 60 strait home E
d dress as nicely as possible for .he o.
lie. Good bye, and bright day if
you, darling ~ Il
/ am not one of those who believe A
at the good doing always brings, v
once, its own reward: but that it "
often a legacy which the present 81
ars, to dover the future. There t
,e / cannot assure you that Grace cl
ssed a very pleasant day. Once, "
ring the morning, sudden mist ta
mpened her hazel eyes, as the wind
ought the gay sound Of the sleigh
lis to her ears, and she heard the N
Gous laugh Of the young party, as ii
i IL c--.k.-s. III