Amador weekly ledger., 1857-11-21
MAY BENTON;
Or, Conversation and What Came of It.
BY CLARA SYDNEY.


May Benton, have you never got married?"
This question was asked by gentleman
of some thirty-fve or six years OF age, who
had been nearly twenty minutes closely
watching the movements of lady who sat
near him at a work table.
The gentleman was a fine, noble-looking
man, with frank, well formed features, and
pleasing expression He was handsomely
dressed, and to Judge by the looks of his hair
you might have said that he had wife, had
he look in other respects like married
man, which he did not.
The room in which they were sitting beto-
kened wealth and taste. Its occupants were
evidently in highly respectable position in
life.
The lady addressed was woman of fair,
interesting face, and graceful form. She
certainly did look remarkably well as she
bent her head with its abundant and glossy
hair and piled her hands in the task which
employed her sight, and apparently her whole
thoughts.
Probably conviction of her attractiveness
and worth had caused the question her COM
panion put in such hearty abrupt tone, that
May started aud dropped the red worsted
work upon which she had been intent
what question:" she cried with light
laugh-'just as if cared about being mar
ried T"
"Why should you not care, May? Surely
it is the best and happiest state Tor man or
woman"
Granted ! with a proviso" said May;
"but, Mr. Rosster, if you thinkso why have
you never marredw
"You are true Yankee, May, and an
swer question by putting another; but tell
me. now, why are you at thirty years OF age
still single?"
"IIow do you dare to say am thirty years
of age? Upon my word, if you were not
brother to my sister-in-law, I'd not speak to
you again for week"
May Benton tried to pout; but the at
tempt was only futile and made her look re-
ally charming.
Didn't you yourself tell me your age, and
only the day before yesterday? Your mem
ory seems very short"
"Well, | didn't expect that you was going
to throw il up to me that | was an old maid
to pay me for my confidence in YOU"
ooh! May--did | say thaty-and If did
you can break my 'glass-house' by hinglng
back my very taunt. But, come now, an
swer my question"
81 never could get anybody to have me"
said May, rather shortly. "Are you satisfied
now?"
"No. You need not tell me that a person
so interesting and attractive as you are, has
never had ardent lovers know better,
May-so tell me truly why you are not Mrs.
Somebody, now~
May suddenly sobered down and said,
nervously-"It's because no man sohose lore
L could return, ever loved me-"
And she resumed her work.
How her faced altered There had come
over it stern, hard expression, as if she
were saying, inwardly-
at matters not-I can wrestle down these
yearuings for something worthy and noble,
and true aud strong, against which to lean
for something winning and tender and loving,
the which to love. If there is no heart on
earth, whose best love is the love | want, l
can do without i'll can walk to the end OF
life as | have thus far"
Rossiter regarded her ia long silence. He
had known her many years, and had often
wondered at her great indifference to the at
tentions of gentlemen. He had even, on more
than one occasion, taken her to task for her
manner toward them.
"You wont allow them to become acquaint'
ed with you at all,D he said. when you
are introduced to man, that's the last OF 1t.
All the young men admire you, but they are
afraid OF you. You chill them to death