The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-01-07

quaintance, can you find any conduct on my
part, which would not result from the dictates
Of friendship?" .... ....
ssAsk not that, Emma, for have long loved
you with true heart, and had hoped that my
| love was reciprocated by the object of my deep,
sincere affection. Have ] been mistaken?-
Can not still indulge hope, that has been
for months the essence Of my happiness? Let
me not be disappointed"
Emma dropped a tear of sorrow for the pain
she had occasioned, though there was no
! blame Or her part. But this was not a time
for equlvocation, which, indeed, was always
absent from her intercourse with others.
"lmust tell you,' said she s'that had new
er anticipated an interview like this"
:" Say not so. beseech you-my happiness
for life depends on you."
sThis indeed, is most unpleasant POSITION"
said she, rising and looking sorrowfully out
of the window. They remained in silence for
few moments, when again seating herself,
she continued - -s.--#aa ..srr.E
|
Salter, TO occasion you so much unhappiness?"
ssLet me not be the cause of distress to you
for rather than give you single disagreeable
feeling, would Danish myself from home and
society, and make the desert my abiding place.
But, oh, if you can respond heartily to my at
tachment, it would be the beauty Of my life."
"You have not answered my question:"
| "Tsue, true. Are you not acquainted with
Mr.. Harrold?'' as t.a #af
| Emma started at the mention of that dear
name, but speedily recovering herself, replied
! "Iam.n
| "Did he not introduce himself to your fam.
| ily, but few days since ?"
"He did"
ssDid he OF walk into the garden with you
at his first visit ?'
"Excuse me, Mr.. Salter, but you are getting
too personal, would crafty you as far as is
consistent with my duty to myself and others.
hope therefore you will ask no more ques-
tions concerning Mr. Harold"
| "Pardon me, Emma," said he, with deep
emotion" but had, perhaps enormously,
thought that my past intercourse with on just
| ifed my course-bnt see it all. Oh hope
sweet charmer of my life, hast thou fed for
ever? Bliss hast thou left me to the gloom
of un' equieted love? Is Emma to be the life
and light Of another ?'' As he said this, he
I turned aside his head and placed his hand up
on his brow.
"I have never truly loved until lately, when
met him whom nature seems to have destined
for me. TO deny this love would be doing
violence to myself, to him, and blaspheming
its source.' .... ...
Salter, at this declaration, summoned what
the matter to the test of reason and policy.
! "Are you acquainted with the circumstances
of Mr.. Harold ?" asked he.
"Iknow nothing Of him, except the fact
that he is student at the academy, and the
consciousness have of his noble excellence -
"Would it not be prudent, Miss Emma, to
know his character, and the probability of a
happy union, before cherishing too much an
infexible love? l fear you do not know the
facetiousness of love-how it will spring up
in spite of all consideration of reason, and be
the source of the greatest uhhappiness. You
have reflection and will concur with me, when
say. that he should not be the object of lady's
devotion, who has no. the palpable means of
making her happy. Poverty is the greatest
curse that can humiiate us, and no young man
should think of becoming the protector of a
fair one, until he is placed beyond the fear of
want. l say nothing against Mr.. Harold, but
however amiable he may appear to you. he may
prove bankrupt in character and fortune.
We should beware Of dissimulation. Besides,
he is taking most precarious course to make
an independency. The professions are crowd
ed with able mea, and many young aspirants
are compelled to suffer disappointment, aud at
last return to some humble position in life,
while one is successful. These matters are
important, Emma, and hope you will consid-
er them.o et'ht
r 81 hope duly appreciate your Kindness .
returned she, C but your suggestions have fail
ed to raise doubt in my mind"
"Emma, will you step to the window ?''
asked he, rising and moving towards window
thatlooked out upon the magnificent garden of
Mr.. Legrand. @
Certainly, if it will afford you any pleas
ure." ~
As they surveyed the enchanting scene be-
fore them, Salter said :-- ta5G "
You have been educated amid the beauty
of this delightful place. The flowers and the
trees, the plants and the fountains, have done
4 so much in forming yo1r taste, that were you
taken away from their delightful prospects,
and compelled TO live in rude and tasteless
residence, you would think that part of your
nature was torn away, and be unhappy. En-
ma, ! can surround you with princely for
tune. lean provide you . garden, with every
species of vegetable beauty, from all climes,
and without awaiting in doubt any contingency,
we can spend life of unimbittered bliss in
pleasant bowers,-by sparkling fountAiDs,-
breathing the fragrance Of the breeze, and sur
rounded by every luxury. As a companion,
you can have one who adLres you; and one,
let me hope, you can love. l ask not your
determination now, but willsawait your pleas
ure.,
"I will relieve yoa from all suspense" said
she, for am as well perpared to answer now
| a. ayor The oio ia casf-I am anofher,s -