The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-01-27

like his thoughts, goes round and round in
the routine, like a squirrel in its cage and
makes no progress"
This man thinks higher things than [
think was Cynthia's thought as he said
this, and, for moment, she felt humbled
in his presence but she rallied her pre-
tensions remembered her bellehood and
her conquests, and the light in which she
always had been looked upon by all her
lovers, and was almost disposed 10 revenge
upon Frank Handy the passing feeling of
inferiority, Frank stood in silence, twin
ing the hop-wreath for her head He did
not speak. His thoughts were busted with
the words he would say to her when he
broke silence. He was satisfied to have
her waiting at his side, waiting for the hop
wreath, with its pale green bells, that he
was twining leisurely and Cynthia grew
impatient as she found he did not speak
to her. She addressed hIm several ques.
tions, which he answered with an air of
pre-occupation. She wandered from his
side few yards among the rocks, turning
over with her foot some pebbles covered
with gray and orange moss, and disturb
ing all the swarm of busy insect life which
made its home there The influence Of the
| day stole into her heart, and made her an
swers more soft and natural
At last Handy broke silence, calling her
to him, as she stood watching the stir which
the point of her foot had produced in an
ant-hil.
"Miss CYNTHIA
is it finished ?" she said quickly.
"Not the garland-but the struggle in
my breast is finished. have been oues.
tioning myself whether | should say to you
what | am about to say"
Cynthia gathered leaf, and began slow
ly to tear apart its delicate veins and e.
bers.
Miss Cynthia, is it pleasant to You to
have man say he loves youT'
81 don't know, Mr.. Handy. suppose
SO. That is. think it is very embarrass.
ing sometimes"
"Why embarrassing. Miss Cynthia >"
He was taking her on new tack. 1t
was different from anything she had ever
before experienced. She did not like this
way Of having his offer.
at is embarrassing when | know that
my only answer can be No." she said look
ing him in the face for moment, and then
casting her eyes upon the lime leaf she
dicceetins.
alt would be more embarrassing, | think
II you were not so sure" he said, "and if
You took the matter into consideration"
at never wants any consideration with
ne, she answered.
"What did you never place before your
mind the subject of marriage2 Have you
been satisfied with the vain triumphs of
belle And did you never look beyond,
to see what the happy duties of wife,and
the sweet ties Of home might be %
Cynthia laughed, but the laugh was aE-
tected and constrained. What nonsense
Mr.. Handy !"
" 1t is not nonsense. ." "he replied :"such
thoughts are fit for maiden meditation
they are womanly and ioomaaIy, above
everything else, should wish my wife to
be-"
II hope she may be all you wish her
Mr.. Handy. We will 60 now,if you please
if you have finished my garland" at is
not ready for you yet" said Handy. pas
sing it over one arm while he took her
hand. "CXnthia, beloved you must list.
en- to me.
She drew her hand away, but he took it
again, and resumed You must let me
feel its pulses beating against my hand
while tell you the secret of my life--of
my love, for have always loved yon. l
loved you when you were blooming little
girl, and we both went to school to Ezeki-
as Reed, dear Cynthia. have loved you
against hope--at times against my better
reason. have hesi!ated to tell you this
because membranes on my farm made
my position less than that which thought
ought to be offered to you. have watch
ed you, with your other admirers and,
in some moments, have not thought that
any other had your preference. go that
other men have taken their chance before
me. This offer of professorship, which
adds thousand dollars to my income,
makes it possible for me TO address you
Cynthia there are depths of tenderness
which no human eye has ever fathomed
III many StioiS ihah hSait ~SPshe
which, perhaps are never, by the shallow.
er nature of your SCI, entirely reciprocated
or understood. 1t is not alone my heart
it is my very nature-heart and soul, mind
and strength--that / offer to you. The
love of you, like things which plants absorb
and assimilate into their own growth. has
become part of me, This is a tried and
true affection, Cynthia. 1t has waited
patiently until the moment came when it
might be offered to your acceptance. Gym.
thia. fyou will lay this little hand in mine
land he let it fall but stretched out his
hand towards herr 81 will strengthen you
elevate you, and guide you. You shall be
woman of higher rank, las God ranks
woman, for your union with man strong
en- steadier and more single-minded nature
and Cynthia, your influence for good ou
me will be incaleulable. Who can esti-
mate what a man owes TO the affection OF
n woman All that have in me that i:
good will be doubled by your influence
You must draw forth-perhaps create
the gentlenes, delicacies, and the tender
ness that complete the manly character.