Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-04

nament for your hair than any ribbons you
could buy in the village"
And will you get me some ?"
e.: Turn this way into the weeds, and spare
me half an hour while twist it into wreath.
| am going away from here tomorrow, per-
haps have been offered profeSsorship in
a school of agriculture"
Indeed, Mr.. Handy !" hi
There was pause, and Cynthia resumed,
little hurriedly should think you would
like going away from here. There is nothing
to tempt young gentleman to remain among
u.s."
shall like it, in some respects, better
than my present life,' said Handy "This far
mer's life, when there are no higher interests
to accompany it, does not draw out the best
energies of man. His nature like his tho'ts,
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 q moment, she felt humbled in his
presence but she rallied her pretensions, re-
membered her belehood and her conquests,
aud the light in which she always had been
looked upon by all her lovers, and was almost
disposed to revenge upon Frank Handy the
passing feeling of inferiority. Frank stood in
silence, twnng 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 the silence. He was satisfied to have
! her waiting at his side, waiting for the hop
wreath, with lis pale green bells, that he was
! twining leiSurely and Cynthia grew impatient
as she found she did not speak to her. She
addressed him several questions which answer
ed with an air Of pre-occupation. She wander
ed from his side few yards among the rocks,
turning over with her foot some pebbles cover
ed with gray and orange moss, aud disturbing
all the swarm of busy insect life which made
| its home there. The influence Of the day stole
| into her heart, aud made her answers 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
| hill
Miss Cynthia"
as it finished ?" she said quickly.
Not the garand-but the struggle in my
breast is finished | have been questioning
myself whether | would say to you what | am
about to say"
Cynthia gathered leaf, and began slowly
| to tear apart its delicate veins and fibers.
Miss Cynthia, is it pleasant toyou to have
| man say he loves You 2
Il don't know, Mr. Handy. suppose so.
! That is, | think it is very embarrassing some
! times
Why embarrassing, Miss Cynthia ?"
lie was taking her on new tack 1t was
different from anything she had ever before
experienced. She did not Ike this way of
having his offer.
at is embarrassing when | know that my
/ only answer can be No" she said, looking
him in the face for moment, and then cast
/ ing her eyes upon the lime leaf she was dis
secting.
1t would be more embarrassing, think if
YOU were not so sure,r he said, land if you took
the matter into consideration"
:" 1t never wants any consideration with me, y
she answered.
What did you never place before your
mid the subject of marriage? Have Won
been satisfied with the vain triumphS of belle ?
| And did Won never look beyond TO see what
the happy duties OF a wife, and the sweet ties
of home might be =
CYNTHIA laughed but the laugh was affect
ed and constrained. What nonsense, Mr..
Handy ~
&" 1t is not nonsense he replied such
thoughts are fit for maiden meditation-they
are womanly-and scomaRiy above everything
else, should wish my wife TO be. =
- / hope she may be all you wish her, Mr..
Handy We will go now, if you please, if you
have finished MY garland
&" 1t is not ready for you yet, said Handy,
passing it over one arm while he took her hand,
" CYNTHIA. beloved yOu must listen to me-
! She drew her hand away, but he took it
/ again. and resumed "You must let me feel its
F! ayises beating against NV hand. while | tell
YOU the secret of nv lIfc-of my love for | al
ways loved you. loved YOU when yoa were a
blooming little girl, aud We both went to
school 10 Ezekias Reed, dear Cyutha have
loved Won against hope-at times against my
better reason | have hcsitated to tell you
this because incumbrance, on ny farm made my
position less than that which | thought ought
TO be Offered u YOU | have watched You
with other admirers and in some moments,
have not thought that any other had your
preference. 50 that other men have taken their
chance before me- This offer of professor
ship. which adds thousand dollars to my iii
cone makes il possible for me to address you
CYNTHIA there are depths of tenderness which
no human eye has ever fathomed, in many a
strong mans hcart-depths which, perhaps
are by the shailower nature of Your sex, en-
tirely reciprocated or understood. 1t IS not
alone my heart, it is ny very nature-heari
aud soal, mind aud aud streugth-that | Offer
to You. TIE love of you, Ike things which
plants absorb and aSsimilate into their OWE
growth, has become part of me. This a tried
and true affection. Cynthia. Ii has awaited
patiently until the moment came whenit might
be offered to your acceptance. Cynthia, II yoU
will lay this little hand in mine" The let it fall
but stretched out bis hand towards her, a
Will strengthen you, anl elevate you and guide
Won You shall be woman Of higher rank
! as Gods rank woman. for Your union with .