The Winchester home journal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-03-25

bow and blush, she trpped off lightly
and rapidly; but as | stood watching her,
| thought | could see her frame shake as
if with laughter.
walked home to the inn on air. !
was never so buoyanlly happy in my life
before. | could not retain my delight at
the adventure. ! began to plan the most
glorious results as sure to follow; made
up my mind 10 fall in love with her at
once; | fancicA myself an accepted
suitcr; | specuatod upon the marriage,
and even determined upon the marriage
suit, grew excited upon the subje
and with flushed cheek went stalking
down the road with all my might. !
walked faster; it began to grow doubtful
if ] was walking at all; it soon grew Ger.
tain that was not walking-in fact, my
elation became so uncomfortable, that
before knew it, | was running at ride
ulously furious rate--upon which discov.
cry stopped short, and came to my
senses.
determined to find out her name--to
find where she lived-to lay siege to her
acquaintance, and then, Of course, the
rest would be easy enough. Her little
heart would Autter and strugg Ie at first,
Of course, but in a liltlo time it would
fall, fascinated and helpless, into-stop
That is an awkard kind of smile | have
got into. 1t has snakjsh suggestive
ness; but let me make haste to supply
the missing worl--laII helpless into my
arms-and not jaacs, as some mendac'ous
reader has been tempted TO suggest.
soon found out her name and " local
habitalion''- - for, angel as she was, she
was blessed with both Of those mundane
luxurios but the acquaintance, ah !! that
was not so easy OF accomplishment.
Her name proved to be Mary Cole ;
and an exquisite cottage on the outskirts
of the town. 5nd near noble old forest,
soon discovered to be the casket which
held the Jewel that coveted.
How hung about tho cottage! How
surveyed it from a(ar, and how stole up
to it ,hdcr cover of its shrubbery, and
peered in a, its window catching glimp,
scs Of passing figures, which | was al.
ways ready to declare. could be only
Mary's.
And then met her, too, in the streets,
on the green, at church--and then the de-
light OF lifting my hat to her--ol catch
Ing the downcast look, the rising blush.
the qnic|l smile, the sharp, hitting, pierc'
ing glance that fairly impaled me through
and tIn,oGsh and took my breath away
why all these were ranlures only to be
experienced in love chase.
At last we met to speak. 1t was away
from the town, in forest road, hidden
among Icary trees quiet, narrow road
with damp, oycr.rown turf dimIy shadec
with olI trees and thick underground uG
to its very borders--lhe very spot to ren
der a meeting romantic and delightful.
She was riding, and | came upon he
around q turn so suddenly that her horse
SHE'D, and ia the confusion of meeting mt
she dropped her whip. ..
BIe~sc opportunity In an instant
secured it, and with hat in hand wa:
bowing and returning it.
The horse was restive, and startled
little by my proximity, backed into the
brushwood | caught his bride and led
him back to the road, quicting him by 4
few pats and soothing words.
"Why, Charley, Charley" said his
rider, stroking his arched neck, "don
be afraid Charley -
"CharIey !" exclaimed |, laughing, "i'
it possible ? My namesake -"
ooh, sirr' exclaimed she, reddening tc
the very roots Of her hair, 81 didn't
was quite"
"Accidental, of course" said |. "Bu
believe me, | never was so proud OF
namcsake before"
Still blushing, and with her eyes ben
upon the ground, she tapped her hors
lightly, and would have rode on, but
was determined not to let the encounte
end so fruitlcssly.
"Will you pardon me-" said |, with al
easy movement getting before her in th
road, "wilI you pardon me if | ask il
what direction this road will lead me I!
at enters upon the highway, sir, abou
a mile beyond"
"And as charming as this all the way :?
81 think it very beautiful, SIR,
al am very ignorant Of all your local
: ities," said /, "lor | am stranger, an
only accidentally wandered into this ex
quisite retreat about an hour ago--and-
: | beg your pardon, but ] am sure yo
must ride and walk here very often, it i
so unsurpassingly lovely"
"It is my lavorite ride, sir. But, par
don me, will you permit me to ride on {?
stepped back, and lifting my ha
de(ercntially, remained uncovered unit
she had passed by and was out Of sight
did not, like Ferdinand in that re
markablc love story Of D'lsraoli's, rus
forward and kiss the sod upon which he
horse stood, but | have no doubt that
induIced in antics equally extrayarant-