The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-12-31

They alighted before the cabin door
where John Jones, the artist, camo out
and assisted the ladies to alight. Did
Hugh mark the blush upon the cheeks
of the young couple Of course he did
, not. Never was there man binder to
truth and fate than he.
After Mr.. Fielding had exchanged
! greetings with the tenants of his house,
and been introduced to their nephew, he
invited him to accompany them, and
they started out on their search. :
The fine artistic taste of the boy at
once attracted Hugh's attention, and he
learned that the young man was an art
ist by profession. 1t was JOHN himself
who, with becoming modesty, pointed
out the spot which he would deem most
desirable; and it's admirable fitness strik-
ing all the rest of the party, helped to
complete the good opinion Mr. Fielding
had inyoluntarily formed OF him.
"There is certainly a good deal of
genius about that young fellow" he re-
marked to Myrtle, when John was busy
talking about pictures with Mrs Denni-
son. "He has glorious eye-full of
fire and frankness." so
How the young girls heart leaped
up while she made not the least reply.
Alas, Hugh fattered himself that that
glowing cheek and dropping eye was an
evidence of some gentle emotion for
him
Learning that the young artist had
made architecture his study, Mr.. Field
ing gave him a commission to draw the
planfor the proposed residence giving him
summary of what he should like as to
size, style, and expense. He was usu-
ally man of piercing vision, and but
few things escaped his keen apprehen-
sion; yet, all-absorbed as he was in his
own dreams, he did not notice the ex-
pressive glance and stolen pressure of
hands with which Myrtle and the young
man parted. Mrs. Dennison, too, be-
wildered by gorgeous visions of man
sion over which size was to preside, the
site for which she had just seen selec-
ted, was deaf, and dumb, and blind to
everything but Mr.. Fielding.
So the party drove back to town as
contentented with each other as when
they started out.
Myrtle was impatient to get away from
the seminary, as schoolgirls usually are.
She did not know how to wait for the
new house. If it would not have in
volved the necessity of driving John
Jones away, she would have wished the
cabin immediately vacated, that they
might return to their romantic way of
living. Mrs. Dennison was SO continu-
ally with them that it seemed as if she
should never get an opportunity of re-
vealing to her father the weight that
was on her heart-a confidence she did
not fear so much to make, since she saw
how he favored her lover. When she
actually found herself walking out to
the farm alone with Mr.. Fielding, her
heart began to palpitate frightfully with
anticipation. She found that what she
so longed to say was very hard to put
into words, after all. So they passed
onward, Hugh doing most of the talk
ing, until they reached the bower The
sight of the spot where her lover had
sank upon his knee at her feet impelled
her to the trial. s
Dear father" she began, in falter-
ing voice, " have wished SO much for
for an opportunity
A long pause, while she stood pick
ing rose to pieces, the color suffusing
cheeks and brow.
"Dear father"
Nere1 call me father again 20 cried
Hugh in a sudden burst of passionate
energy. a.a
She looked amazed Ills cheek was
likewise flushed; and his dark eys were
bent upon her with an expression which
she could not understand.
Il cannot endure it," he said, grasp
ing her hand tightly. Every time
you have uttered that word since my re
turn, it has almost distracted me. Can
not you guess why, Myrtle ?"
Her eyes fell under the glow of ten
der light which burned in his. She
trembled with a sudden apprehension
1t is because love you with other
than parental love, darling Myrtle.
Since the first moment of my return,
have felt how impossible it was for me
to resist the torrent of passion which
rushes through my heart. You are to
be msy Myrtle-the Myrtle of old, whom
I once loved with the fervor of youth.
It is true that your mother-for feel
that she was your mother-was false:
but, in your heart, Myrtle, there is moth
ing but truth. You have not learned
the ways of the world. You are my
boyhood's dream. Will you marry me p"
Poor child how she trembledl He
thought it was with maiden timidity, and
put his arm around her and drew her to
his side. She leaned her head upon his
shoulder, sobbing: " You are my faith
er, Mr.. Fielding. Oh, still remain so,
| or you will break INV heart p,