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

some marriages DeIWeen, members Ob I
their respective families gave the
young people the privilege Of this ap-
pellation. "a T., ~. .'re e7si i
+" Charley, do not urge me. lam
very grateful for your invitation, and
pains me more than you can imagine
to refuse it. But | am compelled to |
do this" XII. ne f.g
If Grace's manner was cold, twas
because her words cost her such an Of |
fort. i,.. "a n i
every well, Grace. Of course, | |
shall not press my claims any farther.
Excuse me, if in my desire to secure
your company, ! have been impoTtp.
nate. Good morning. - s,ss-s II
He lifted his hat with his natural
grace, but, the DID,. frank ,smAs was
not on his lips as he lefther, fgs sg
!" Therel he is certainly offended
with me. i knew it wonld be so,''
murmured the girl, as che sank back
on the sofa, while the tears bgimmed
over her brown lashes, for Grace was
making no light sacrifice this morning.
q I'm almost sorry ! sent Matte
that note, BUTTS too late to recall it.
Charley'll take Jane Morton with
him, know; and it will be q great
triumph for her to think he 3 Sighted
me-" And the fair. naughty face, Of
the doytor's daughter rose before the
young girl, While asharp papg Of jeal-
onsy 4piyered through her heart, Z. /. y
Bat IT, was wearing towards, nine
O'Clock, and Grace had little time for
reflection. ~ y, !.
| @I must get Tom'to take me over in
the cutter" she murmured; "I can
easily gain mammals consent, she is
SO nd-hearted, and Matte is such a
favorite with her. Goodness !" CLAN
cling at the small china clock on the
mantel, 81 must be off in twenty
minutes" '' - r--..-
@"Gfacie, Oracle, how shall | thank
you 2" '.'' .'-' ,,... o.. d, o'', - .,'
! Grace stood at the window, robed
for her ride to the school, and waiting
impatiently for the sleigh to present
itself at tho front gate, when these
words, iChispered, because Of the tears
that lay behind them, reached her ear.
She turned quickly. "Why, Mat
tie, what has brought you over here Z"
4" Icould MT 60 without thanking
you. OIL Grace, Grace, you have
made me so happyp And now Mat
ties arms were round Grace's neck,
while great sobs were shaking her fig
ure, and tears raining from the large,
mellow eyes. + w =.
"You re q real naughty grip
Grace's tone was half expOstulatory,
half scolding. " Now you II spoil
that charming face Of yours, after all
my palms." and she stroked the rich
brown curls that fell out of the black
straw bonnet.
"Do you know you 're goingto pass
, this day with the only son of a mill.
. ionaire, and who, by this invitation,
f gives very strong evidence of having
, been captivated by your naughty little
self {"
, Matte placed her hand on Grace'a
, lips. and shut back the tears from her
! shining eyes. - .
Gracie," she said, and the tones,
tremulous at first, grew strong and
deep with pathos as she proceeded
81 mnst bo growing very weak, fof it
} came so hard for me to refuse that in
} vitation this morning. You know il is
} so long since have had any relax
> ation-any pleasure, and this hard,
barren, toilsome life seemed closing
all around me, and l struggling vain.
ly through it, reaching my gaze out
for the light that never came, lifting
my hands up with a sharp cry for the
, blessings that never filled them. And
somehow, that invitation was such O
! mockery to me; for you see, dear, /
D was growing morbid, and l thought
9 how they would all go off light-heart-
] ed and happy, leaving me choked In
by the bare walls of the old school.
room. Well, ! sat down an wrote my
g regrets with a steady hand, but, oh
f with such a heavy heart. Just as
t had finished it, your note came-oh
3 Grace, how shall tell you the rest ~
"By saying nothing about it, Mat
tie. And now, do yon go straight
/, home, and dress yourself nicely as
Y possible for the ride. There comes
r Tom. Good bye, and a bright day tc
3 you, darling" There was a quick
rain of soft kisses On the damp checks
: Of Matte Palmer, and Grace Ham
3 mond was gone. 5a ..li v1m
/ am not one of those, reader, who
believe that the "good doing" always
, brings at once its own exceeding great
: reward; but rather that it is oitime;
: a blessed legacy, which the present
t bears through darkness and sorrow, tt
} dover the future. And, therefore,
t cannot assure you that Grace Ham
+. mond passed an especially pleasant
dvy in the old red school house, which
, stood at the intersection of tho foul