The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-11-12

15.to a@A hOehiu5 W iSoi' -.
So they walked on together, and Ma
bel walked very slowly without seeming
to notice it. She was charmed with he
companions conversation, it was SO dill
ferent from that she was used to hear
ing. Not that it was more pure or no
BILE; but then it had a peculiar refine
meut sort of deferential delicacy ant
richness of intellect and moral powe
which was new to her. She soeu learn
ed to respect him deepsy, and there wal
pleasurable emotion in the though
that one SO noble, and handsome, anc
refined should seek her society for hi
own good.
And so Mabel again accepted the
writing masters companionship. Ane
again-and again. At length she asked
him to call upon her and spend an eve
ming with herself and mother. O
course he did so. He found Mrs. Win
ship to be widow, with Mabel for ar
only child and when he had spent al
evening with her, he did not wonder
that the daughter was pure and eleva'
ted in thought and feeling.
Isn't be a good young man my
mothere" said Mabel, after Charles
Hoffman was gone.
He is truly" the widow responded.
And as she gazed into her daughter's
face she was sure she saw a tear in her
mild, black eye But she made DO re-
mark thereon.
The writing school was near its close,
and all the scholars we're very sorry
They had learned to love their generous
teacher, and they liked not to part with
him. Mabel and Hoffman were walking
home together. A silence of some mo-
ments was broken by the latter.
Mabel" he said in low tremulous
tone Il am an orphan. For several
years | have been alone in the world,
and am sadly in want Of something to
love-somet ething which can love ne and
appreciate the love l could return. l
am poor now--very poor-but with such q
companion as I seek L shall be veryhappy.
Mabel, will you not be that companion
Will you not come and love me always
be my companion, my guide, my love,
my wife? L am what you have seen.
Since have been here you have seen
me as I am always. I have no habits
which 1 have not freely INDUCED here.
I have read your soul, and l know you
are all seek VIII you be mine?"
Mabel did not Withdraw the hand her
conn panion had taken, nor did she seem
at all offended. Yet she trembled vio-
ieptlv. and it was some time ere she
could speak.
Mr. Hoffman," she at length MUIR
INJURED, such all answer as you ask l
could not give without my mothers con-
sent. She is all to me-"
And if sic consents? Oh-speak,
Mabcl-if couseuts ?"
=" should foiiow the impulse of my
own haart could not help it. You
have becL very kind-I believed you
true, virtuous; and noble-aud-aud--'
And what, Mabel?"
. loved you with my whole SOUL
Charles Hoffman vas very happy at
that moment; but soon change came
DER him.
" But, loved one," he said, "perhaps
you may fud more wealthy lover"
''You wrong ne by the thought
Charles"
"And if you were mine you would
labor for ne in your sphere of wife
You would not be ashamed to hel p me
over the rough ways of life 2"
"My greatest joy would be in labor
ing for the greatest good of one 1 loved.
Yet sir, L would wish to know that l
should have a comfortable home.
mean that you will place me in situa-
tion where by our combined efforts We
can find shelter from the cold and
storms Of outer life"
:" 1 understand you, Mabel; and if l
could take you under other circum-
stances should prove at once that my
love was not true. But 1 will explain
all. | work for kind master, and tho
be has TINS far paid me only about suf-
ficient to keep me in food and clothing,
vet when he knows there is need he will
not see me want. Have no fears on that
score
81 shall not fear" the maiden re.
turned warmly. You shall not find
me burden. Point out to me how ]
can assist you. and I will do it gladly"
BY this time they had reached the
widows cot, and Chsrles said that he
would speak with the mother. So when
they had entered, he called tho widow
into another room, and there he remain
| ed conversing with her over half an-hour
When they came ont the aged mothe'
was smiling through happy tears, She
took her daughters hand, and in
tremuleus tone she said,
. Mabel, my child, Mr. Hoffman ha.
told me all. 1 know he loves you well
and l have long known that you loved
him. Ny only wish in tho matter is
that you should be happy, and 1 fee