Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-16
VOL. TX.

|
seen in such conveyance?" continued Char
lotte with slight toss of her beautiful head.
Again Bella looked up, while a painful flush
|! sufused her cheek. She was sorry her sister
had thus spoken-sOrry for her, grieved for Er-
nest She felt sure she could not have denied
him-that whatever he should ask would not
be improper or wrong. How then could her
| sister speak thus9
Charlotte noticed the expression, and half
| read its meaning. She did not like the reproof
that 1t conveyed; and turning to her she said
somewhat scornfully:
Perhaps my sister would go with you.
"Will you Bella" the young man repeated
earnestly, as he bent her glance which thrilled
through every part of her being.
| For moment the blood rushed over her brow
and neck, the next it receded, and she an
! swered gaily: ..- .
And why not, indeed?''
But will you go, Bella?" again asked Err
| nest, In that straightforward manner which
every way characterized him.
II should like it of all things"' answered
the enthusiastic girl forgetting the emotion of
the moment before.
But remember how we are to CO." con
tinued Ernest quickly.
You will be the observed of all observers"
added Charlotte.
"And what Of that?'' called back the de-
| lighted girl, as she was half way up the stairs
In moment she was ready; and gsily bid
| ding her sister good bye, she was soon seated
beside Ernest and they drove rapidly away
! Charlotte half repented her momentary pride
when she saw the tender glance of Ernest as he
! placed her carefully upon the seat, and drew
| closer the folds of her large, warm shawl in
! which she had shown the good sense to wrap
| herself But Ii was too late now so taking q
! book she prepared to spend the morning alone
| In the meantime Ernest and Bella had Joined
the motley throng now moving 80 rapidly
through the city.
Now they drove down close 10 the waters
edge, where, far as the eye could reach, one
saw nothing but the clear blue waters Of the
lake, with its masts and sails, making one think
he were upon the Atlantic coast instead of 80
many miles in the interior. Anon they looked
upon the wide spreading prairie now pure and
white with the new fallen snow, and stretching
far away till it was lost where earth and sky
seemed to meet. Then again they were pass
ing through the wide and level streets Of the
city.
Oh there is life and exhiaration in giving
up ones self to the enjoyment of the hour!
Nature Is good mother to US all ; and when
! We give ourselves into her keeping, she will
ever fill the heart with joy and gladness. Would
that more such eIercises-mOre such out-Of-
door exercises wore freely enjoyed by all This
shutting One's self up so completely within
doors, as some do in winter is enough to drive
all the roses from the cheek, all Joy and glad
ness from the eye, and all freshness from the
heart, making one old before his time.
The spell of the hour was then upon them
and as they sped merrily along Ernest felt his
heart warm more and more toward the pure
and artless girl by his side. lie had known her
lOng-he had known her well and she had ever
seemed the same-ingeniOus, truthful and good
He wondered how, even for a moment, he had
ever thought of another; for she seemed to him,
then, all that his heart could ever wish or de-
sire. But could she ever be his ? or was she
destined for another The thought made him
desperate. He could not endure it for mo-
| ment. The question must be decided at once,
! and with him to resolve was to act.
They had been talking gaily Of the scene
! around them-Or Bella had been talking, he
/ listening, for amid the multitude of vehicles i'm
| the street each had to attend pretty carefully
! to his own; when turning to her with another
! of those glances which thrilled through every
| fibre Of her being, he said, and his voice was
| low and earnest as he spoke:
Bella, l am q business man, and shall do up
things in a business fashion. love you. Win
| you be my wife?''
! The young girl looked up astonshed She
/ had long liked him-liked him better than any
other on earth; but she never dreamed Of being
| his Vffe. He was so much older so much
| wiser than she-for she was scarce eighteen.
| and in heart very child-why did he not take
her sister? She could not comprehend it all
and almost doubted if she heard Alright.
For many moments she did not reply. Ernest
observed her closely, and read in her face the
unuttered thought. She was. about to speak,
when, struck with the whole ludicrousness, she
laughed outright. 1t was his turn now to look
astOnished.
why Bella, what's the matter 20 he soon
asked, somewhat hurt.
Only think making love in hogshead ~
laughed the mischievOus girl, more merrily
than before; whoever heard of such a thing
And this time Ernest joined her, even at his
own expense.
Well, well, no matter where" continued
he, taking the little hand that lay for C mo-
ment outside her shawl - Do you love me,
Bella? and will you be my wife +! Answer me
| truly-ulu you be mine 2''
! - Yes, Ernest, yes but must laugh, never
theiess The scene is so entirely ludicrous-
/ quite a new order of rOmancen'
And again her laugh rang out loud and clear
| as the song of o bird. And this time Ernest
| joined in it as heartily as she. He could well
laugh now for had she not promised to be his1
No matter achere the promise had been made
1 no matter hour; she was his-aH hisr And "a
he pressed her hand at parting, he said
4 Laugh, now, as much as you like but to-
night shall come to appoint the wedding day
and arrange for its ceremonies. So good morn.
ing, dearest"
And in moment he was gone.
That night all was arranged-'Squire Reed
and his wife giving full and free consent
and in just six weeks from that time Bella Reed
became Mrs. Ernest Hammond.