Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-04-20

knowledge 1t to my own heart. When
as lay there awake, had 10 confess the
tact, L resolved that none, not even Mel
lie and much less Alfred Fletcher him.
sell should ever know my secret.
From that day felt an increased en-
barrassmsnt in Afred's presence and |
fancIed detected in him a little reserve
towards myself. What could it mean g
Nellie had been mistaken in her asser-
tons, | said to myself; he did not love
me, and be must have discovered my Sc
cret. L wept long and bitterly, from min
gled grief and shame, and resolved that
he should no longer believe in my weak
ness. So, encaslng myself in an armor
OF pride, swept proudly past him when
we met, with barely bow of recognition,
and always IN his presence assumed a
careless and naughty air.
Two years had passed since | left
home. As my education had been limit
ed to common school one, | made ar
rangements to return home in the coming
autr mn, having laid by a sufficient sum
to support myself year at the seminary
| IN my hative town.
U
/ intended departure The last Sabbath of
my stay arrived. As usual, | attended
church. As | walked home after service
[ heard a step behind met was one |
well knew; and directly Alfred Fletcher
joined me. l offered my hand. He
grasped it warmly in his own.
= Aud 50 you are going to leave US,
Mattle,' said he. | bowed in the affirm
alive. g How long will you remain
away g. he asked.
:" replied that my stay was indefinite;
and for the first time | told him Of my
plan of attending school, saying that then
| hoped TO find myself qualified to teach,
and that 1t was hardly probable that |
ever should return lie was silent awhile
and then remarked. 'And are you 90
ing, Matte, without saying goodbye to
my mother 2"
& Your mother has been very kind to
me, Alfred" l answered, q will call
upon her tomorrow, for leave on Tues
day moraing."
SO soon! :" said Alfred L" But do not
fail to come. Mother would hardly for
give you for going away without calling
upon her"
AAOhN ~ CtAl VI NY young lIituuS JOlu-
ed me, and saying, Il will see you agaio,
Matte" he bowed aud left Us.
" Yes, yes ; it IS 10 see his mother he
wishes me TO come" | mused, that even
ing. However, suppose | must GO
Courage | shall soon be out of reach of
all this nonsense; only one more Trial,
and then l shall be free"
The next afternoon | called on Mrs.
Fletcher. She urged me to PASS the af-
ternoon with her; but l was inexorable
so, after few minutes, arose to leave.
Bidding her an affectionate goodbye, |
walked rapidly down the lane, congratu-
Iating myself that had not encountered
Alfred. The constant fear of betraying
10 hIn my sentiments was now stronger
than ever. Could ] get away without
giving him any clue, | fancied that it
would then all be over; that by giving my
mind wholly to my studies, | should soon
forget him.
As | turned from the lane into the road,
Alfred sprung lightly over the fence
." Going so early, Matte said he. Il
thought you were going to stay till after
tea
g replied that / had no such design,
as had much to do to complete the pre-
parallons for my Journey"
d" am sorry, Mattse,' said he; d"
have only one load more of corn to get in,
and then | had promised myself pleas
ant afternoon in your society"
/ He took off his hat and brushed the
clustering curls from his fac forehead.
/ He seemed at loss what to do.
''MattieS" said he, finally, " can't you
! e,
! ciety!"
" Us" Had he said me- | would
have returned with him; but my pride
/ rose in an instant. 'sI cannot" replied.
The train passes early in the morning,
and must hasten home, and g It my trunks
ready" He walked by my side little
way in silence then halted as though he
were going to return. Ny naughty man
ner seemed to puzzle him. | halted too,
and gave him my hand, as | said, Good
bye, Alfred"
" Matte" said he, retaining my hand,
q will you not sometimes think of me 3
May l not hope to hear from you Z"
"Oh, yes" | replied, with assumed III
difference 81 am not going to renounce
my friends. | shall write often 10 Nellie,
and no doubt you will hear from me as
much as YOU wish" He looked earnest
ly into my face. | removed my hand
and drew myself proudly up. Oh! why
could | not have unbent and been myself
| would have given worlds afterwards if
had done it; for IN that eager gaze
read his heart. Bat pride and timidty
interposed. Hardly knowing, in my con-
fusion, what | did, turned and walked
away.
Goodbye, God bless you!" l heard,
in trembling voice; but | did not look
back | reached my room, threw myself
upon my bed, and wept long and bitterly.
There, that is the last trear | shall shed
for him. said at last. | arose, bathed
my eyes, and set about completing the ar