Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-08-21

I" Let's drop 1t SAID he, earnestly.
"You have dropped it, if you allude to
your bait"
8" I mean the subject. 1t is sacred"
He looked grave for a moment, but
there struggled a smile about his lips that
would not be repressed and its gradual
unfolding into full-blown grin encou-
ragged me to proceed.
Tell me all about it" said l, finging
my pole upon the bank.
Fred coughed, and shook his head
again, and looked roster than ever, as he
buised himself with new bait. But
felt that this was a theme on which he
had long desired to converse with me; l
accordingly coaxed and insisted, and at
last he threw his pole beside mine on the
grass, and sat looking at it thoughtfully.
A singular coincidencew he said,
half to himself.
What ?" l inquired.
"Observe those poles and lines. They
form two distinct letters of the alphabet.
Do you see? ??
exercised my ingenuity, and suggest
ed / K.
q never knew you TO guess right the
first time Don't you see," he cried,
impatiently, your I is perfect 2"
1.-The same thing" 1 replied. "The
difference is all in my l."
"Not precisely for your K happens
to be an r." said Fred.
GAS you please grant you most
E distinct and unmistakable j. R. But
what then Where's the wonderful coin
cidence ?"
"They ART the initials of HER NAME p
responded my companion, in low voice
of mystery.
"A-h-h p said I, with a prolonged
aspiration of wonder. Every remarka
bic Now, who is j. R ?"
The dearest, sweetest, best little CIR
in the world !" exclaimed Fred, with {
sincerity and delicate tenderness that die
. his heart credit.
my dear fellow" said I, ''you make
me love you-and envy you 1ou arr
engaged"
f d" A commonplace engagement-I de
$ spise it :"
D Fred evidently felt hurt because
$ could mention any thing so prosaic.
a meant betrothed-plghted,' / sal
i believing the bill would pass with thi
= amendment. But Fred still shook hi
head with contemptuous expression.
, sour hearts are betrothed, our SOU
are plighted, 1 do devoutly trust !" h
- spoke earnestly, after pause ; but " n
vulgar terms of contract have ever pas
ed our lips :"
- Your lips have sealed more blesse
,a pledges, no doubt" suggested-not pr
faneIy, but seriously and tenderly.
81 For moment Fred appeared transfz
7 ed by a reminiscence of joy 50 dear,
delicious, that it was an inspiration
look at him. / could imagine that r
r meo looked so, when he thrilled to Il
ko name of Juliet.
es "Of course" the romantic youth co
ne descendedt to explain, in unromanticpro:
nd " the thing is understood between u.s.
Oh. she is truth ITSELF" breathed Rome
all in a glow. Trial and temptati
surround her; but is impossible for /
ny to prove false. In short, her friends g
to opposed to the match. They exacted
promise that there should be no engaE
er- ment. But what are pledges Eve
/. word, act, look, Thought, is a pledge p
v True" said 1 "but why dc
hat friends oppose?
md Why do narrow and calculati
be friends always oppose?" cried Fred
am poor law-student, 1 have no f
'm- tune, and my future is dubious. J. R
all lady of unparalleled attractions
nth can pick and choose where she will"
added, with pride and exultation in
curve of bis handsome lip. "They
claim all intention of influencing her,
it.vexes them that with wealth and tai
and fashion at her back, she should s
i at a moment to think of poor me :! Her f;
er is a good friend of mine, and, 1
lieve, wishes me we'll He is DR.. RI
wood-one of the noblest fathers in
world. But she has mother and
his aunt, who a1e-very excellent peopl
he declared with peculiar emphasii
rosy "They have picked out husband
her-a worthy man, benevolent, ant
ho! ! that-aoorthy means that he's worth
ker- a milhon-in short, tremendous ca
was It's dead certainty that he'll propo'
very her within a month p