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

the manly character"
He paused, and Cynthia stood with her
hands hidden in the folds of her mantle.
No." she said, slowly al am sorry,
Mr. Handy, but cannot be what you wish
to you."
There was an embarrassed silence between
gathering courage with her rising pride, con-
tinued
q am not good enough to answer your ex-
pectatioas, Mr. Handy. You must look else
where for the kind of woman who will satisfy
you"
Handy started and his face flushed eagerly.
He was about to speak Cynthia caught the
lightning of his eyes but when they rested
on her face, he saw that her words were rot
wholly sincere, and the look faded.
You are not dealing fairly with me, Miss
Cynthia, nor with your own heart" he said a
little bitterly "You are not convinced of
what you said this moment You think in
your heart am foolish fellow, and that |
ask too much You do not think that Cynthia
Simpson falls short of the reasonable ideal of
any man."
- don't know why you should say such
things" said Cynthia growing angry aud near
ly ready to cry. 1t was the first time any Of
fer had been made which had not left behind
it a selfsatiSfed feeling of triumph and vet
here was Frank Handy, as ncomparably su-
perior to any other suitor she had ever had
as Well, no matter.
Miss Cynthia" said Frank, "when man
loves a women, as | have long loved you, he
singles her out from the whole world as his
representative of womanhood and there is
that n her before which he bows down, doing
homage to the woman nature within her. But
this does not imply unconeiousness of her faults
He NAV see where she comes short of her own
capabjlity. And that marriage is true union
in which the husband, up to whom she looks,
and on whom she should lean, strengthens her
better in its struggle against her worse na-
ture."
They were walking towards the homestead,
and walking fast Cynthia was angry, disturb
cd, and mortified Was this time 10 dwell
upon her faults She admitted that she had
some Vague confession by no means in
plying that Cynthia knew that, at that mo-
ment, she was proud, vain, inSincere, and pet
ulant, and that she was crushing down the
better feelings of her heart to give the victory
within her to the worst If Handy wanted
her, she thought, he might WOO her with more
respect TO her pretensioas. And he sRoald so
WOO her. If be loved her as he said he did.
she knew her power was great. lie should
bring bis homage not coldiy to the woman
hood within her, but to herself-to Cynthia
Susan Simpson, in spite of the full display of
all her faults, and even in opposition to his
better reason. She was not To be defraatel
of her triumph and il would be great one
indeed, if she forced him, by her faults them
selves. TO surrender at discretion.
They reached the steps ever the stone
fence which led on to the highway. In their
path lay disabled grasshopper Frank set
bis foot on il anu crushed it firmly. e" NJ IS
Cynthia" said he, " few women have the cour-
age to treat rejected suitors thus. 1t is the
true humanity"
He helped her over the steps and paused
He took the hop-wreath carefully from his arm
and gave it into her hands. She took it with
an indifferent air, and, as she took it. crushed
some of the green blossoms. She would have
treated him with more courtesy thnd Frank
but known it if she had been entirely iuditfer
ent TO bis admiration
Miss Cynthia, said he now in q grave and
measured tone, which. in spite of herself. i'm
pressed her with . sense OF the pow erlessness
Of her little arts when brought into conflict
with his self-possession and sincerity. Il know
very well how YOU have dealt hv many men,
and ain not disposed to fall into the Ranks,
aud take nv chance among your many other
patient suitorS 1t is true, that the wound
which you infiict on IRE, will leave its scar for
life but | cannot make my self-reSpect an o.
fering even TO yoa. Aud if YOU have the feel
ings Cf true GobleneSSS, which ! always fan
cied diScerned in you. you wOu!d respect me,
esteem me- love HE less, foT such a sacrifice,
| shall never offer myself again to Won" Gym
thia started. Slight and rapid as her move
ment was, he saw it, and repeated. Il shall
never offer myself again and | leave this
place tomorrow. uc7cT TO return 10 il, til
have subiued this love for yoa. To night
shall be at the wedding | am grOon>man TO
Seth Taggart, and | shall stand M with you.
| am going home 10 consider faly what has
passed, to convince myself if | can, calmly,
whether my lore for yol has been an error in
my Fife, for which thy judgment is responsible
or onIy its misfortune whether the Cyathia
have loved Is really capable, Is have dream
ed, of scattering the clouds tna: dim her beau
", and shining forth IN her sweet qneenlncss
upon the lonely darknass OF the man who
can teach her what is 10 love | do not know
what | shall think To-day has shaken nv
confidence in Won As said before, | SHALL
make you no further offer but, il make n
MY mind to renew the one have just niadc
you, shall say Snip! during the eyening
and, if you answer Snap shall understand
il is favorably received by von Mind" he
added, - think it doubtful whether nctwith
standing my love for you. shall think if right
to say it. | an going into the fields to med
itate till eyentide" upon Eny coarse, and ma!
bring back the conviction tha, for the present
rejection of my salt onsht to be ulach oblg
ed TO YOU Nor shall say say SEip, morC
than once In this uncertainty / leave tbs
matter TO voar consideration"