The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1858-03-25

tlons whicl he answered with an air o
pre-. .occupaGon. She wandered from bis
side aIewBards among the rocks, turn
ing over with her foot some pebbles Gov
cred with gay and orange moss, and dis
turbing all he swarms Of busy insect life
which mae its home there. The inhu,
ence of til day stole into her heart, and
made her answers more soft and natural.
At last Handy broke silence, calling
her to hin as she stood watching the stir
which the loint of her foot had produced
in an ant ILL
Miss Cynthia
is it f1ished?' she said quickly.
'Nos ,he garland-but the struggle in
my heart is finished, have been ques-
tioning myself whether | should say to
you what | am about to say
Cynthia gathered leaf, and began
slowly to tear apart Its delicate veins and
fibres.
Miss Cynthia, is it pleasant to you to
have man say he loves you
4 don't know, Mr.. Handy. sup
pose so. That is, | think it is very en-
barrassing sometimes
b Why embarrassing, Miss CynthaP
: He was taking her on new tack. 1t
NJ different from anything she had ever
bA&e experienced. She did not Ike
this way ofhaving his offer.
1t is embarrassing when I know that
my onlyRka@or can be No." she said
looking 3Jtm inthe face for moment, and
thon oastirg her eyes upon the lime leaf
she was dissecting.
1T would be more embarrassing, |
think, if you were not SO sure.' he said,
and ii yo., .vsk he matter into consider
ation.'
1T never wants any consideration with
me- she answered
What did you never place before
your mind the subject of lnarriage?-
Have you been satisfied with the vain
triumphs of belle? And did you 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 of,
fected and constrained. what nonsense,
Mr.. HandyP E.
1T is not nonsense he replied; such
thoughts are fit for maiden medtatons-
hey are womanly--and 1oOmaniy, above
everything else, l should wish my wife
TO be-
i hope she may be all you wish her,
Mr.. Handy. We will go now, if you
please, il you have finished my garland
'ltis not quite ready for you yet said
Handy, passingit over one arm while he
ook her hand. 'Cynthia, beloved you
must listen to me-
She drew her hand away, but he took
t again, and resumed: you must let me
eel its pulses beating against my hand,
While | tell you the secret of my life-of
ny love, for l have always loaed you
Then you were blooming littIS girl, and
'e both went to school tpgether to ,
,zekias Reed, dear Cynthis. | have !
,ved you against hope-at fines against ,
~ better reason. have hesitated to .
III you this, because encumbrances on =
~ farm made my position less than that .
hich ] thought ought 10 be offered to I
ou. l have watched you with your +,
ther admirers; and in some moments, =
ave not thought that any other had d
our preference, SO that other men have a
ken their chance before me. This offer :,
a profess0rship, which adds thousand -
'llars to my income, makes 1t possible I,
r me to address you. Cynthia, there ~
e depths Of tenderness which no human !,
'e has ever fathomed, in many a strong q 9;
ans heart-depths which, perhaps, y, :"
e never, by the ghallower nature of ~
,ur sex, entirely reQiprocated or under 81 .,
ood. 1t is not alone my heart, it is my - -
'ry nature-heart and soul-mind and -,
| offer 10 you. The love y, y
you, like things which plants absorb ", ",
ID assimilate into their growth, has be- n' "e
me pant of me. This is a tried and %
le affection, Cynthia. 1t has waited ~ ~
.tiently until the moment came when it c. J"
ight be offered to your acceptance ., sm
1nthia, ifyou will lay this little hand in L
me- (and he let it fall, but stretched a. a.
t his hand towards her, L will ui ,ai
'engthen you, and elevate you, and W. W.
ide you, YOU shall be a woman Of ~ ~
CHER rank, (as God ranks woman, for VI. Wv
ur union with 1 mans stronger, steadi- ~.
and more single-minded nature, and w; wy
,nthia, your influence for good on me ~ ~
IL be incalculsble. Whoean estimate tN'
lat man owes to the affection of !"
mani All that | have in me that is yo
cd will be doubled by your influence. =
j. must draw forth-~perhaps create IL
gehlaness, delicacy and the tender sht
IS that coHalete The manly character the
lie paused, and CYNTHIA stood with her ber
ndS hidden in the klds of her mantle.
No. she said. sloylN Il am sorry "
;. Handy, but | canno be what YOU sPe
sh 10 YOU ~ n so
There was an embarrassed silence .be. [del
zen them for few f16;haAts, and then Ilos
Ahia, gathering catEage g VIII her re- Y q
asntinneds N AZ tiky
.1agh to aHSyer 70 bbui