Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1856-04-25

grct exceedingly TO have them meet with
rcyerses." lie soon after took hi, leave,
and returning TO his Office stated himsclfa.
his writing desk and wrote, sealed and dis
patched the following:
my DE,K MISS hRLH During tho
tune that has elapsed since ] saw yOu la,i,
my feelings have become somewhat changed
or rather have analyEcd them moro
closely I fear we can never become
happy together. | see now that was some
what premature in proposals, though ] still
entertain the warmcst feelings of regard and
friendship for you. Your cool reply 10 my
proposal Led me 10 suppose that your icol-
ings were not very much interested IN my
s,lf-and perhaps il j. best for both that
the affair should terminate here. ! remain,
most respectfully, your obctient servant.
WALTER ROBY"
Minnie shed some tears when she received
this cold cpistlc for tio hal hoped, rs
maidcns sometimes DO, that her lover might
"bc tried in the balance and not found
wanting" Bot brushing the tears away.
she went to her father, and handed the noto
to him saying, All, father, you've lost
the handsome, accomplished young lawyer
for n ,on.in.law. lie doesn't think your
homely, poor Minnie can make him harry"
leaving the room she caurhtup her straw
hat, and went ont 10 rambl, in the woods
TO hear the favorite haunt. hoping she sweet
influence ofnaturc might soothc and calm
her somewhat troubled spirits.
The socnc was lovely, FOR ii was tho sun.
.et hour, and the dreamy golden lish;
glanced down between the intcrlacing boughs
npln the IN green NOS, making dancing
lights and shalo-' in every greenwood path.
Tho air WI. soft and hllmy. No sound
broke she stiffness of the forest shade save
.ho .ishinc. plaintiff Wind harrs, OF the oc-
casional carol Of hirl. Yielding 70 the
lullins influence Of the scene, Minnie seated
hcr-elf upon fallen tree, and was soon lost
in = rcyerio. IN her musings 'ho though,
how pleasant II would b" % ." loved for
ono's sslf and voice seemed whis-
pcrinc in her ear. with sofr, thrilling tone,
loves own cadence. nnddark cyes wcrr saz-
ing into her own, with tender, loving look.
She had wandered thus far into loves fairy
drramland. entirely unconeious Of all around
when the cracking Of dry iWrg startled
her, aud she sprnr up in alarm but =
pair Of dark ewes looked into her own, and
a familiar voice rc-a,surcd h'r She laugh
ing greeted the intruder, saying, Why,
Herbert how YOU startled mo-" lie csmilcd,
anl advancing to meet her, replied
"Iam sorry frightened you, ill not
think to find You hero butyou nrelookius
ralc-ar, YOU f,iut2"--and he caJol at her
with - much anxious solicituic that POOR
Minnic's cquanimiiy was entirely over
thrown, and sinking again upon her Eat,
She covered her face. with her bands AMI
burt into tears. The feelings 80 long pcnt
up. and the tear, which hal been gathering
for several days, had At last found vent.
Herbert Clayton had grown up with
Minnie from childhood. lie had always
loved her, bu. had felt thata dcp gulf
separated him, poor widows '1n, from
the only child OF the wealthy Mr.. Arlin,
and there, and therefore he FELT compelled 70
.. worship from ahr." H.. too, had heard
The rumor, Of Mr.. Arlin's lo,sc', and no
supposed that this was the cnu'c OF Minnc's
agitation. lie could scarcely rcprrs tho
horc sweet aud faint as it was, that Minnie
might now be hs, but checking this feeling.
he seated himself by her side 10 comfort and
cheer her If possible. Gradually she b.
came calm, and then she impaired 10 him
the story Of Roby lie wa- indignant al,
such ba.ancs,, and, led on by hi- feelings,
told Minnie Of his love sud hopc-. Ills un-
selfish affection touched her heart. Hero
WIS one VIII, loved her frr hcrsrlf, and was
willing 70 take her, even II poor. But the
wound sho had received was too fresh TO al
low her 10 do ought bul rise embarrassed
and though thanking II''h-rt with her cya'
70 shake her head sadly
but that chance interview decided the fate
Of both. The more she thought Of Her.
5crt's disinterc.tcl offer, tie more his char
actcr rose in her estimation. Meantime. as
she had consented TO receive him as a friend,
he often visited her, and gradual esteem tOr
him ripcncd into love.
One soft, summer evening Herbert ven
turcd 10 urge his suit again, and this time
Minnie though as embarrassed as before, did
not say nay, but returned bushing answer
tha, filled his heart with JOS. They lmgcr-
ell long amid the forest shades, and when
they returned Hcrb,rt sought Mr.. Arlin,
while Minnie ran up to her chamber like a
frightened deer.
When Herbert had confessed his suit, Mr.
Arlin. looking archly in his face, made re-
ply: "Do you. wish to make poor Minnie
Arlin your bride? Can you think Of taking
a do,ccri," wife,"
ooh yes" earnestly replied Herbert, 80
should never have told my loyo had she still
been as in days gone by"
Tho old gentleman smiled peculiar
smile, and said, "Ycs, lIo.hort, she is yours
you are worthy OF her but nln glad for
your sake aud hers, that am NOT - poor
that she will bo a portionlcs bride. But
you must let Minnie tell you the story"
Minnie did tell him tho story, aud Her
bert was unsPeakably delighted at the idea
that he had won the hand Of tho boiro-s Of
Mr. Arlin,s ,rnolih- hnt Minnin hnghinrIY