Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-12-30

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a. we used to do in old school days; there
II reserve between us that was not there
in our childhood. -
"NelIie. dear" at length % id Mary, "sr,
yeu tired yet Of fashions5ie Iifef'' fs''
Idid not IKE to acknowledge, even /,
Mary, SO hesitated. "Yes-no; we'll, the
truth is. Mary,"sI said, sphses dad sssur
fsit.s siIf rest awhile, suppose IT viii b
dosbly ehmmiag." 7ssEsa ssJ al ;Sss'
-sMary =Iooksa ss me doub,folly, and son }
said. ~oh h.r=-by which expressive intesjec.
tion concluded she understood very wei
how liked Il. ~ - ssTTsgt zsKzTszs
v'~WeIl,n, ,Lssid,as llsid my head agaias'
her. IL wilI confess. Ian heartily sick of it,
Mary laughed in triumph. "There.I told
ycu SO the very evening you came outs did
not!" y lzra8 essssaa1l- :azss sss r.
sssYou need Lot throw il up to me now
exclaimed, a little vexed .s.5 es ss.s zsf
| eNo, dear" she answered. II do not wish
10 vsx yos, Nell; for wbea one has few to
care for them, or understand than they do
not willingly Lease those whom they know
like them; and you do ike do you MOTIF
said Mary, very, sadly. g., ,rz.-r = .yysa
"Yes, vesy much, very much" IIeplied,
heartily, and kissing her sfsctiOnately.
"And by and by" I continued, '.ysu viii
marry"
-T"Never, never, ~ she exeisimee. passion
ately. "fsshall'be an old maid" - Fss
T-e.An old maid:" I said, laughing at the
idea.z ,ezastsi J. ssesats1s 80 = - -.
'd"Yes. ranswered Mary, ~ shall be one
ofthoss dear, quiet, kind, unobtrusive old
maids that 60 about doing good. 50 quietly,
SO gontly-thst sacridce everything, if it
adds to the happiness Of those around them;
vet do all so silently that no one knows
their worth Until they have passed away
forever. Then they leave racant place.
and their memory 10 loved and reverenced."
Mary's soice was low and very sec, and
her eyes were filed with tears.
Mary, Mary,"l said, with something
like shudder, and I put my arms around
her as / spoke. "Oh no, i.o. never in this
world; you are too good, too noble" es-
"Why have, you such horrnr of old
maids!" asked she, smiling.
"Oh, just think - answered. "to be like
those five Miss Smiths, who every one says
are try ing to catch husbands, and every one
despises. or like that queer sentimental
Miss Sincisir, or like old Miss Prim, who
looks as though she lived on, 'sour grapes
and 'persimmons."
Mary laughed. "Oh, Nell" she said, a
shall belong TO none OF those classes; but
there are old maids whose lives are SO good
and beautiful that We never think of them
as SUCH" .-.....
NO" exclaimed, 'you shall not be an
old maid; you must marry some noble man
like Mr.. Morton"
Mary shaddered, thought, and drew away
from me; and cbarlis coming in Just then.
prevented Us talking any more in that strain.
Charlie and had never spoken to each other
of love, AMI | felt, as I walked home beside
him, how hard it would be to introduce the
subject. Oh, my heart was as heavy as lead,
and Itrembed a little! 'H
'sNeliie, darfing,' said Charlie, bending
over me, and gazing. down upon me out of
those beautiful, dark gray eyes, all lit up
with sffecI ion, s.wf,at sils your ''s ''
His look, bis tone. thrilled me to the
soul; bot answered, calmly, ,"Nothing. -
saWhy do you moi. .talk." lasaid, after we
had been walking some time in silence. I
"Because am SO happy" said he, press
ing my arm close to his side, and taking my
hand.
Whata load of guilt Jay on my consciece!
"Oh, heavens, pray do mott" exclaimed.
as hastily withdrew my hand. ss6
Just then werescEed home; and as Char.
lie followed me up the steps, he looked as
though he thought had taken leave OF my
senses. Mammsand Mrs. Mason were both
at the opera, and felt very much relieved
at this, for could not bear them to know.
"NelIie, dear" said Charlie, grsvely, as
be seated himself on the sofa, 'i- d. not
think Mrs.. Mason suitable com mpsnion for
you; she istoo deep, too passionate and im-1
pulsive for woman of her years ''isos
sYou are an acute ohs'rvef,HS + said,
haughtily "fs presume am At liberty TO-
choose my own companions.l'. -s 'see 4
The truth vas, I knew all Charlie said
wss true, but I did not know how else ioi
pick quarrel with him. So - s97r' -sta'
sYes, Ne lie," answered Charlie, rather
sadly. "you are at liberty to do snything
you like; but would warn you to beware
CT her; no man would choose her as q com
pan;on for his wife.."s1F Ha5E 3D. 'apEs s'.
/ "Mr. Morton admires her,"f said, sand
he 10 man Of great intellect" '-'''5si e /
] "Mrs. Mason Is woman Of great intel
lcct; and while admire her fine mind,
hate her principles" -.
"But Mfr. Morton Goes not hate anything
about her," answered. ...1.rI s1-sesa
"Nellie, is Mr.. Morton your oracle!' sa'd
Charlis, bitterly. "You have quoted him
twice. within few minutes" '7i-H n
|, colored and. and looked down, and ssid,
F"No; but Mr.. Morton is a noble gentleman,
and as good as you." b -r--a l -r- 4
Charlie smiled, in spite of himself, at the
chiljishness of the remard, but the saue
bitter. stern look sgain settled on his face. :.