Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-08-16


certain what there was about his person that
appeared to be so pleasing to the fair maiden,
but be discovered nothing unusual The
stage rolled on towards Derby, at its usual
rapid rate, of five miles an hour and Walter
and the merry maid seemed as chatty and
cosy together as though they had known
each other for years instead of minutes. The
minister tried to engage the ringlets in con
versation, but he soon found himself "no
where" She had neither eyes nor ears for
any body else but Walter and he had told
more about bis travels and Bombay scenery,
..than be ever told anybody else before or
since
Al last they came to Derby Their horses
had to be changed, and four fresh skeletons
were harnessed and tackled on to the old
stage Walter handed the gentle girl back
to his old seat as gracefully as he could have
done had he never lived in Bombay, but al
ways stopped in New York. They were
alone now. The minister and the old woman
had got out at Derby.
Well, we are off once more how far are
you goingF said Walter, as the stage went
off.
Not quite as far as Litchfeld. You say
that your friends reside at Pomperary. How
glad they will be to see you"
Very probable, unless they have forgot
ten me, which is likely, for suppose have
altered some in seven years"
"Not a particle Z"
The pretty maid fogot what she was going
to say, but at last remembered, and contin-
ued:
81 should suppose you had not altered, for
you said you were seventeen when you were
last at yonr home, and now you are only
twenty-three You must have been grown
nearly as large as you are now"
Perhaps so, but still / am somewhat
tanned by exposure in an East linda climate" +"
Yet | think you will be recognized by
everybody in the little village. Do you know
a young lady in Pomperaty of the name of
Mary Fuller"
"Whatl little Mary? my little wife, as
used to call her! Why Lord love you, do
you know her? Bless her heart My trunk
is filed with knick-knacks for her especial
use. Do / know herr Why have thought
of her ever since | went away Young lady?
Why, she is a little bit of girl; she is only
ten years old. No? she must be older than
that now ! suppose | shall find her grown
considerable. BY the way, are you not coldl
It's getting chilly"
The delighted young lady was trying to con-
ceal her face; which had called forth Walters
exclamation
Yes, it is getting colder; it is nearly
dark; and so it was Walter had a boat
cloak, and after very little trouble he was
permitted to wrap it around her lovely form,
and some how or other his arm went with il;
and in the confusion he was very close to her,
and his arm was around her waist, outside the
cloak, though; then he had to put his face
down to hear what she said, somehow these
long ringlets of soft silky hair, were playing
across his check. Human nature could not
and would not stand it any longer; and Wal
ter, the modest Walter, drew bis arm closer
than ever, aud pressed npon the warm, rosy
lips of his beautiful felow-traveler glowing
burning regular East India, Bombay kiss,
and then blushed himself at the mischief he
had done, and waited for the stage to upset,
or something else to happen; but no, she had
not made any resistance; on the contrary, he
felt very distinctly that she had returned the
kiss; the very first kiss, too, he had ever
pressed upon womans lips since he gave a
parting one to little Mary Fuller and he
would have sworn he heard her saying some
thing (about the very moment be had given
her that first long kiss of youth and oye)
that sounded like Dear, dear Walter"
The stage was entering the village In
few moments he would be at Mary Fuller's
house He thought of her and he felt
ashamed and downright guilty. Whatwould
Mary, his "little wife" that was to be- say if
she knew he had been acting so? As these
things passed rapidly through his mind, he
began to study how to get out of the affair
quietly and decently
Iou go on in the stage suppose, to the
next town. or perhaps still fartherw
oh, no. not me-"
What could she mean? But he had no
time to indulge in conjecture; the stage drove
up slap in front of parson Fuler's door and
there was the venerable parson and his good
lady in the doorway; he with lamp in his
hand, already to receive - Walter, as he sup
posed.
" Where will you stop in the village?
will come and see yon"
i shall stop where you stop. / won't
leave you. Here you have been kissing me
this last half hour, aud now you want to run
away and leave me. | am determined to ex-
pose you to that old clergyman and his wife
in the door yonder More than that your
darling little wife" that is to be, as you call
ed her shall know all about it,"
What a situation for modest, moral mani
1t was awful To be laughed at--exposed; /;
and who was sheg Could it be possible? He
had heard OF such characters 1t must be. .