Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-02-15

purpose. ..--.
Lazily smoking one July afternoon, in
the position I have described before, a
rustling of gauze upon the walk struck
my ear. My eyes opened just in time to
catch glimpse of Bessie as she passed
the open door. Something white futtered
to the ground as she vanished. Bessie
had dropped her handkerchief,
Now, I do not mean to say that Bessie
intended to drop her handkerchief, or was
cosaNant of the loss. I am aware that
handkerchiefs are often dropped by young
ladies in situations which entirely pre-
clude the suspicion of any ulterior pur-
pose. am even prepared to admit that
Except on the stage) handkerchiefs are
more often dropped accidently than 9TH
erwise.
But yet, in the present instance, it was
singular that she should have dropped hel
handkerchief in that very place. She
might have been aware that / was at that
time particularly engaged, SO far as Office
business was concerned. Indeed, if the
reader will remember the position L was
occupying, she could have hardly passed
the window without having her attention
called to that fact. These reflections, tc
a mind accustomed, as that of student
at law in his second year must be, to the
weighing of evidence, led to an irresist-
ible conclusion. 1t was clearly my duty
to restore the handkerchief to its fan
owner. ...... -., -......-. -.
Rapidly as this train of argument had
passed through my mind, it yet occupied
some seconds, andstil1 more were required
to gather myself up and proceed to the
execution of my mission, with such DELHI
Grafton as its importance and the beat Of
the weather demanded. These few sec
onds were Of vast Importance in the life Of
Samuel Saunders.
reached the doorway just in time tc
see his huge figure bending to pick up the
delicate fabric, which he handled as gin.
gerly as if it had been one of the oobweb:
Of the law. Chagrined as I was to be
thus forestaIled, / could not help smiling
at what | fattered myself would be Bes-
sizes disappointment. But if expected
it to be visible in her face, it was because
| did not fully know Miss Bessie Little
ton, or young-lady nature in general
She never had given me a sweeter smile
than that with which she rewarded nv
telow-stndent's clumsy politeness, wher
his long strides had overtaken her; anC
Sam returned blushing like one of his
fathers blood-red beets. Two or three
evenings after, met him in unusual ar.
ray. To see him away from the Office
at that time was wonder; but imagine
my astonishment when he told me he was
going to call at Squire Littleton'si Thai
evening sealed his fate. The little firt had
played her cards well: she had trumpe6
Sans heart t. -r f.
The poor fellow was strangely affected
at first by his novel sensations. He. dream.
ed over unopened books; he scribbled
many things which he afterwards care.
fully destroyed, reducing the paper to the
minutest fractions of which his big fingers
could render it susceptible; he took long
solitary rambles; he committed all the
follies which from time immemorial have
been the signs of first love. But this
stage did not last long, for it was not ir
accordance with his earnest, serious ma
ture. After a week or two, he came
back to his books with redoubled energy
l thought he had escaped from the tolls
But one day Miss Bessie came to tht
Office TO look for her father. She NIGH
have recollected, had she taken the pains
that he was gone to try a case at N
But it so happened that she did not; anc
only Sam and [ were in the Office wheI
she entered. There was nothing in he
manner which gave me chance to .gues
at the true stateof affairs; she was to botl
of us the same bewitching little gypsy a
ever. But when I glanced at Sam,
could read his heart like an open book
His broad face lit up with smile tha
made it almost handsome; and from on
his great eyes there cleaned such tender
ness as if his whole heart were fowin!
through them toward the beautiful girl
With smile and gay word, she fit
ted away, and Sam turned back to hi
desk, and his eye grew dull and his lip
compressed once more over Chitty..a
watched him with strange interest, for
had just caught new glimpse into hi
character. He loved Bessie Littleton wit
all the power of his deep, slow nature, an
he had set himself down to win her b.
} the only means he knew-patient, plod
dlng labor. And the next time / saw he