The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-07-08
ANA, WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1861.

up. One frightened yisibly, and the other
as visible paled; while a mingled expression of
scorn and disappointment passed over her fea-
lures.
Good morning, ladies, good morning!" ex
claimed he as he entered their presence. Il
find myself in rather an awkward position just
now, and need some one to help me out. I
must have drive this morning, yet l have
been unable to obtain any conveyance except
the one you saw as drove up. What shall
do?" and he looked to Charlotte for an ad
swer.
can awkward position, indeed,' answered
she, ssyou had better drive alone a7
..But must I?'' he asked somewhat sorrow
fully s....z g., --
Bella looked up quickly, but she did not
speak.
sSurely you do not think lady would be
seen In such conyeyance?' continued Char
lotte, what slight toss of her beautiful head.
Again Bella looked up, while painful flush
suffused her cheek. She was very sorry her
sister had thus spoken-sorry for her, grieved
for Ernest. 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 thus?
Charlotte noticed the expression, and half
read its meaning She did not like the reproof
which it conveyed, and turning to her she
said, somewhat scornfully:
perhaps my sister would gowith you. Will
you, Bella?' ........ ,..---a
"Will you, Bella?" the young man repeated
earnestly, as he bent on her glance which
thrilled through every part of her being,
For moment the blood rushed overher 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 the straight forward manner which ever
characterized him. ss 45a ~
Il should like it of all things" answered
the enthusiastic girl, forgetting the emotion of
the moment before.
'But remember how we are to co. contin-
ued Ernest, quickly.
| "Yo GU will be the observed Of all observers, -
added Charlotte.
And what of tbat?" called back the de-
! lighed girl, as she was halfway up the stairs.
In a moment all was ready; and gaily bid
ding her sister good bye, she was soon seated
beside Earnest and they dorve rapidly away.
Charlotte halfrepented 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 sence 10 wrap
herself But it was too late now; SO, taking a
book she prepared to spend the morning alone
| In the meantime Ernest and Bella had joined
the motley throng now moving SO rapidly
through the city.
Now they drove down close to 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 o
so many miles in the interior. Anon they look
ed upon the wide spreading prairie, now pure
and white with the new fallen snow, and stretch
ing far way till it was lost where earth and sky
: seemed to meet. Then again they were pas
! sing through the wide and level streets Of th
city.
Oh! there is life and exhilaration in givin
up ones self to the enjoyment of the hour
Nature is good mother to us all; and whe
we give ourselves to her keeping she will eve
fill the heart with Joy and gladness. Woul
that more such exercises-more such out-oi
door exercises were freely enjoyed by ALL
This shutting ones self up so completely with
in doors, as some do in winter, is enough I
drive all the roses from the creek, all Joy an
gladness from the eye, and all freshness fror
the heart, making one old before his time.
The spell Of the hour was then upon them
and as they sped merrily along, Ernest fe
his heart warm more and more toward th
pure and artless girl by his side. He ha
. known her long-he had known her well; an
she had ever seemed the same--ingenuouS
S truthful, and good. He wondered how, eve
t for moment he had ever thought of another
for she seemed to him then, all that his heal
0 could ever wish for or desire. But could sh
: ever be his? or was she destined for another
: The thought made him desperate. He coul
n not endure it for moment. The questlo
n mustbe decided at once and with him, to re
? solve was to act. .....
: They had been talking gaily of the seen
e around them-or Bella had been talking, h
listening, for amid the multitude of vehicle
It in the street, each had to attend pretty careful
t ly to his own; when turning to her with anothe
e of those glances which thrilled through ever
: fibre Of her being he said, and his voice Wa
1t low and earnest as he spoke
"Bea,I am a business man, and shall d
6 up things in a business fashion. love yol
e Willy you be my wlfe?'' ..-..... =
e They young girl looked up astonished. sh
- had long liked him--hked him better than an
e other on earth; but she never dreamed of be
e ing his wife He was SO much older, so muc
, wiser than she-for she was scarcely eightee1
and in heart very child-why did he NJ
d take her sister? She could not comprehend
y lat all, and almost doubted if she heard Alright.
: For many mements she did not reply El
:, nest observed her closely and read in her fac
II the unuttered thought She was aboutto speal
: when, struck with the whole ludcrousness
the affair, she laughed outright 1t was h
e turn to look astonished.
d .sWhy, Bella, what is the matter?' he 500
e asked, somewhat hurt. ...
: "Only think, making love in ashogshead!
laughed the mischievous girl, more merrill
# than before 'tWho ever heard ofsuch a thing?
: and this time Ernest joined her, even at b
:, own expense. s.zs. ,..r1.. ..
: "Well, well no matter where, continued hs
e taking the little hand thatlay for moment ou
h side her shawl. '.Do you love me Bella? an
will you be my wife," eyes, Ernest, yes! BIT
= l must laugh, nevertheless. The scene is S