Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-10-06

Shirley had the supreme felicity of putting
sugar and cream into Juliette's cup, and bet
ter still, of setting near her for several hours.
Ihen, TOO, when tea was over she was his :
| tagonist at chess and he looked with delight
| on her taper fingers, looking still whittier by
contrast with the red pieces she moved so dan-
! tily and skilfully over the board. Her delight
fulvoice was still lingering on his ear as he
closed his eyes in sleep, for no other train of
| thought had broken the enchantment.
His friend and himself did not talk much
as they wended their way home that night |;
but Shirley was not quite so morose as to de-
cline his friends invitation, given at parting,
"What say you TO calling on the ladies to-
morrow, TO if they have recovered from
their fatigue 3''
The next day they did indeed call, and paid
them an unconscionable visit--if one can trust
| Miss Henderson's account, who lived opposite,
and who actually lost the whole morning. peep
ing through the blinds to see when they would
leave. And the next day, and again the next,
Shirley had an eyer-ready excuse for calling.
To-day, it was, ''I must take those drawings
promised at other times, 81 have piece
OF music which | must take, - or new book /;
till at last, grown bolder, he made no excuse
at all, but visited there quite en- famille-or,
to nse the prying neighbours expression, as
she watched with enviouS eyes, the comings
and goings of the handsome Iieutenant-sshe
had hung up his hat there for a dead certainty
One morning he sat with his friend Ellery-
1t was two weeks since the opening of the story
in the same room; and his face now was as
listless then, but wore preoccupied and
rather troubled look, as, turning with sigh
TO his friend, who was watching the wreaths of
smoke curling over his head from his cigar
he said
''Ellcry what do you think will be my
chance for success with Miss Martin 20
s'Miss Martln!'' replied Ellery, with pro-
voking smile, as he knocked the ashes from
his cigar deliberately against his boot, sswhy
to be plain with you, my dear fellow. think
you have but slight chance. Take my ad-
yicc-far better try the widow"
s'Oh, hang the widow ~ exclaimed Shirley.
stBut, Joking aside, why do you think SO (?
She appears to like me; and, without vanity,
may be considered handsome and agreeable
enough for any girl, with an unoccupied heart,
to love; more especially when | woo.''
sAh yes. But there's the rub, Shirley
The unoccupied heart! There is no apartment
.'to lets in that heart, f1attcr yself; at least
If L can trust to woman'S VOWS, as am inclin-
ed to do in this case.''
''What do you mean, Ellery? That you
love her-and that she-Pshaw 20
'sYou may sspshaw'' as much as you like,
Sir Irresistible, but tits true, Notwithstanding !;
| am myself engaged to that very same Miss
Martin %
.'For once in your life be serious, Ellery, If
you can.''
'sSerous, Well. If you do not take my word,
I'll swear TO ii, Shirley. And if you still doubt
me, go and ask her yourself [ give you leave.
But you had better take friends advice, and
inform the widow of your matrimonial propo-
sails whilst in the spirit.''
Shirley came very near saying that which
were better left unsaid. as he rose from his
chair and paced up and down the room. Ellie
ry sat smiling to himself, as tilted back in his
o. hai wit Saf In 80 a.. .<,f
his hcad-he coolly finished his cigar-tempt-
ing the now thoroughly rritated Shirley, by
his mocking air, to knock him over every time
he approached. At last, having finished smo-
king, Eliery rose, and as he was drawing on
his gloves, making ready for start, he said,
''Come, my good fellow, don't be cast down.
II you can't get Mss Martin, take Mrs. Mar
tin. sOne of the name is as good as the same,'
as the old saying has it, and | really believe
she has fancy for you.''
He did not stop to hear his friends answer,
as he left the room with a laugh. Shirley con-
tinued his walk-now rapidly, then stopping,
again fast-tll he came to dead halt in front
of window.
s.Impossiblei ! There is no truth in this world
if it exists not in Juiette Martin. have heard
her express an opinion concerning Ellery, and
even laugh at him, which no woman ever does
at one she loves. will go, by George, and
ask her indeed. If tits true, then will L never
never trust woman KIND again -
And, walking to the glass, he brushed his
dark locks as carefully as ever did one of the
weaker sex; and then. taking his gloves and
hat, started for Mrs. Empton's.
Ills own heart was humping as loudly as an
old-fashioned knocker to his nervous rap,aS he
stood on the doorstep. He was ushered into
the comfortable parlor, where the suns rays
came slyly in through the closed blinds, play
ing at hide and seek with the roses of the car
pet, and where the red. glowing light from the
fire fell on the bright face of Juliette, she
sat on low ottoman, playing with the curly
headed Annie, whose silvery laugh was echoed
by the mellow, cheerful one of her mother.
There was no one else in the room. After the
morning salutations, Shirley said
s.Has not Ellery been here ?''
eyes," she replied, ''he and my sister are
out visiting.''
Shirley moved his chair closer to the low
ottoman. ssExcuse me- he said, ssif ask you
one question, and do not, L beg, deem it inn
pertinent; l entreat you to answer me frank
ly, for l assure you my whole earthly happi-
ness depends on the answer. Are you really
engaged to Ellery ?''
ssWho! l, Mr.Shirley 2 You must be dream
ing" said Juliette, and she opened her large
dark eyes still larger in her surprise, her lace
and neck coloring deeply as she met his glance.
s'There is some mistake in this,' muttered
Shirley. 'He told me, this morning, that be
was engaged to you, and bid me ask You to
convince myself"
s'Why, the man must be crazed, surely. Yet
| wonder still more at you in believing HIM.
You TO whom p and again the face was bent
over Annie's ringlets, to hide the tears weilins
up in those eyes, whilst the child sat demure-
ly listening, as if bound to recollect each and
every word.
ssf did not-I do not now believe him" said
Shirley .'though he told me that he was en-
gagged to Miss Martini
merry -lanph hrnln from her linS as She