Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-07-03
l can never be as good and worthy Of love Is

| can never be as good and worthy Of love IS
you arc"
Dear child it was the goodness of her own
sweet heart, instead Of any virtue in mine.
The next morning she went away with
Aunt Wheedon. Mother was to visit Arthur;
was to spend a few weeks with Jennie Wilde,
and rejoin her there, then return home in time
to receive Ada and Aunt WheedOn. We
soon made our preparations, and had hardly
time to think ere Jenne's warm welcome fell
pleasantly on my heart All the girls rejOiced
to see me, and grieved that Ada had not come,
for their was 80 much gossiping to do. Marion
and Jennie were to be married the ensuing
winter; Grace had lover, who, according to
her account, was much superior to her intend
ed brothers. We were SO happy that l for
got my sad thoughts. Ada, sweet girl that
she was, found time to write frequently.
Marion's lover was wealthy farmer, resid-
ing in their vicinity, 80 she saw him every
day; and shortly after my arrival the others
came to spend short time. Jennie was per.
fectly happy; and in this as in ali other cases.
was made participator.
One day she received letter that, for
moment clOuded her usually sunny brow
Marion inquired If there were bad tidings
"Not exactly" she replied slowly. "It's
from Cousin Hugh; hcis coming to visit US"
"And you are troubled what to do with
him when you have lover of your own to
attend to?" Marion rejOncd. --..-
al should enjoy his visit better at any
other time" was the answer.
There was pause then suddenly Jennie
started up, her arch face full of laughing mis-
chief exclaiming:
81 have it girls-a capital plan-Cousin
Hugh shall fall in love with May; just think
how nice it will be to have her for a cousin"
perhaps May don't choose to be bargain
cd off so unccrcmoniouSly," Grace said. "She
may not like Hugh as well as you do"
Now was only Percy You must know,
May, that Cousin llugA has quite fortune,
and is d rising lawyer. He is atfectionate and
thoroughly good, but his twin brother, Percy,
ran away with all the family beauty, and is
rambling up and down the world, no one
knows where; but if Hugh is plain looking,
you can't help liking him.
So they settled it that Hugh and should
fall in love with each other. did feel inter.
ested, though had not the vanity to suppose
that could interest him. But when he came,
his frank, cordial manner pleased me at once.
He was not ut all handsomc, yet thought he
compared favorably with the other gentlemen.
Does any event happen ever MS it il plann-
ed! Very rarely, | think yet in this in
stance the course affairs took pleased ALL
Whether it was that Hugh Wilton liked me,
or suffered himself to drift unconsciously to.
ward the haven to which the others were
sailing, could not tell; but tender and love-
like he certainly was. He gathered the choi.
cest fruit and flowers for mc, read to Inc when
| was walking, lifted me tcndcrly over little
streams and damp places, and exercised a
watchtul care that was exceedingly pleasant.
We had such delightful conversations, for
did not feel afraid to tell him my thoughts, as
Jennie said he WAS so good.
| said liked him-l dared say no morc.-
Sometimes dream, wilder than any had
ever cherished, rested for a moment in my
heart, and l would shut my eyes until
thought and hope fondly fingered over it {;
then, by strong effort, would leave the ab-
sorhng fancy and come to real life. Ah, those
were strange days when the sunsine lay ut
my feet and dared not let it warm my heart.
" hen we met some one, handsome, and win
ming as my sister Ada, alas how soon he
would forget me.
That visit seemed Q whole lifetime to me {;
long, delicious days filled with every joy heart
could desire: tnen came the parting He was
to take journey some distance beyond my
brothers, and therefore accompanied me-
Jennie was delighted with the apparent sue
cess Of her plan. Hugh and were to stand
with her when she was married. "And then
you will 60 home engaged" she said, joy.
fully.
The journey with Hugh was q pleasant one.
He was looking forward to the time when he
should visit me at home, very soon after my
return, he thought, as his business would de-
tain him but short time, and he gave me to
my brother at the railway station. Was there
q deeper meaning in his parting words than
was apparent? thought so then.
When Arthur asked me about Hugh, my
heart beat tumultuously, and could feel the
color come and go in my face until feared
betrayed my agitation but he was 70 intent
OH telling me how mother had enjoyed her
visit, and how the children had improved, that
gained courage, feeling my precious secret
was safe.
After while mother and went to prepare
for Ada's return. She canc looking lovelier
than ever, and with clfposscssion fairly re-
gal, yet she had lost none of her sweetness
and truth Aunt Whecdon was delighted with
her. and predicted brilliant future, charging
her over and over again not to spoil it by mar
rying poor man.
1t was not until she left Us that Ada and
had chance to talk as We desired. Then she
tOIu INC now Wcll sue naO enjoyed everything;
how happy she had been at meeting SO many
pleasant people, and mingling in such gay
scenes, having lovers TO praise one and crafty
the slightest wish but, after all
"Well?" said, interrogatively.
~ don't think should ever Inect any one
there that could love much as want tC
when marry. The people seem well enough
for company, but l think they lack heart.
want some one deep, fervent and tender
strong Of mind and will, who can love me and
yet retain his own individuality. I've been
thinking. May, if it is possible ever tc
meet such q person. Perhaps, after all, IhavC
dreamed;" and she sighed little, thought
Hugh Wilton was such person.
For weeks after Ada's return we wero very
gay Every evening there was company, ant
parties without number, filled in with walk
and drives. Ada was certainly lavorite fol
no party seemed complete without her. Amit
all the faces looked for one that came not
did not conjecture why Hugh Wilton's few
weeks had woven themselves into two months
If had asked my heart only painful IOnginl
could have echoed the question for Answer.-
a