The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-02-29

few years hence it would make me happy
to see my dear son married to just such u
woman"
"Not quite so fast, mother > said
laughing away my embarrassment, which |
was very anxious to conceal.
| found that Grace had become q constant
visitor Mt my mothers, and did not fail to
improve the opportunity of becoming ac-
qualnted with her.
She was indeed gifted creature, endow-
ed with all natures best" She sang. she
danced, she conyersed with an indescribable
grace peculiar to herself. Though general
ly thoughtful and earnest in her manner, she
had VEN of quiet humor, and her strokes
Of playful drollery charmed all the more
from being unexpected. But more alluring
to me than all her gifts and accomplishments,
was the shrinking sensibility depicted on ev
cry feature of her sweet face. / soon found
myself deeply, painfully Interested in her.
say painfully, for Grace received my assid
uous attentions with perfect GOODNESS and
unconcern that gave me great uneasiness.
Sometimes | thought she remembered nv
early mpertinence and was disposed TO pun
lsh me. But there was rival, d cousin Of
traces, who always stood IN my way and
from whom Grace received, as a matter Of
course, numberles9 little attentions which
dared not even offer. ] hated this man
was insatferably jealous, but Grace seemed
perfectly unconscious, or perfectly indIfIer-
ent TO the by-play Of animosity which was
carried on between Us.
Grace, sweet, noble Grace, with her child
like simplicity and sensitive woman's heart
who could resist her2 | could not, my
whole soul was hers. In vain had | called
upon my vanity, Of which | had plenty to
invoke, to save me from the modification of
loving without return | could not smother
or control the passion which, strong Us a
mighty whirlwind had seized me.
One evening sat by the piano while Grace
sang to me. The cousin was not there; and
dear Graee's varying color suggested sweet
hopes to my vanity. | fancied / saw love in
those soft music breathing lips.
1t was the last evening Of my vacation,
and surely read a gentle farewell thought
in traces face. | was beside myself with
JOY at the idea-I was as if in a blissful
dream, "a sweet delrium, a rapture Of love.
As Grace rose to leave the piano. caught
her hand, unable longer To repress the one
thought that filled my heart, | exclaimed fer
vently
'.Grace, dear Grace, with aIl my soul /
love your
She lifted her large soft eyes ana said
slowly, while mischieyous smile stole over
her face
Il know it,
She was gone before had time 70 prevent
her, or u recover from my surprise.
The next day returned 10 the college ex-
pectlnE To complete nv studies III another
year. A year how long a time to be abb
sent from the beloved being who Was TO me,
felt henceforth and forever, whether she
returned my love or not, the nucleus round
which my thoughts would regolYe. ! need
not say how often her strange and uusatis-
factory answer tormented me. | perceived
IN her repetition Of the same words her re-
membrance Of the time She had used them
before, ana this then was the Just punish
meut for ms offence. | tortured myself by
bringing the scene again and again to memo
~. ''1he deuce YOU do !" thought !, some
times, would | had possessed the vii 10
have left You little more uncertain.
| often wonder that was able 10 stulr NJ
all at the time, for trace, graceful Grace,
was never absent from nv thoughts: she had
become the dream Of my life, the object Of
ali the love sonnets which tlll now had been
scattered Oh various riYal beauties | aid
study, however, and study hard, aud ut the
high honorS, much to nv dear mothers pride
AMI joy.
Idetermned to BE wiser when | saw her
again, to discover beyond . doubt If | were
beloved, before | committed myself as had
done, By foolish speeches.
II order to crafty myself on this point
AMI perhaps also 70 CRAFTY little pique,
when returned home did not 20 immedi-
ately 10 see Grace, as my feelings dictated,
but waited till, at my mothers summons, she
spent an evening with Us. Even then, though
ms heart was full Of tenderness for her,
affected GOODNESS. | had made up my mind
to playa part, and suffer as might, to act it
out. There was a young lady staying with
M mother at the time who arly loved TO
aIrt-~l was quite ready ut this time to con
tribute to her amusement. | devoted my
self TO her the entire evening. and felt the
sweetest pain ever experienced, when saw
by irace's dear changing face, that she was
deeply panied and wounded.
When this foolery was carried To It's height,
Iperceved Grace suddenly rise and step
through the open window out on the piazza.
In few minutes followed her; she had re-
tired to a little distance from the window and
stood with her head leaning against the rail
ing, weeping. Stealing softly behind her, |
passed my arm around her, and whispered
"Ah, dearest Grace, do not deny it You
lore me ~
There was little pause, then laughing, yet
still half crying, Grace turned aside her
head, and said
.ALAsi | KNOW IT"
REMOVAL,