The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-01-27
WHOLE NO. 6S.

to her. She has written a book. Frank
seems to be right down flirting with her,
doesn't he? I declare, now, he always
wanted somebody out Of the way. No,
body here was good enough for Frank
Have you heard he has been offered a
professorship and is going away l? He
is going to live in the same place she
does. I shouldn't wonder at his court
ing her-should you o.
II don't care," said Cynthia in her
heart, II don't care. Oh yes l do
l care that he should have weighed me
in the balance so calmly this afternoon,
and found me so unworthy that he takes
back the love he has offered me. Has
he judged me very cruelty? or am l
quite unworthy of his attachment .
Oh !! think that this morning I had it in
my power to be happy all my life, when
| refused him Oh how can any one
compare any other man with him -
And he loved me only to-day-and now,
tonight, his reason says I am not good
enough to be his wife and he is afraid
of being unhappy with me. Indeed, l
am not good enough-but would try
to be-"
"-If you would snip it."
1t was Frank Handy's voice. She
caught the word, and looked up eagerly.
Frank saw her, and stopped embarrass-
ed. Ee was holding up torn fold in
the dress of his partner in blue.
eff knew where tc find needle and
thread" said the authoress, with a half
look at the bridesmaid.
81 know. Let me sew itup for you,"
said Cynthia.
Her pride had left her. She felt hum.
bled to the dust. 1t would be a relief
to do something for this woman-better
than herself-whom Frank preferred to
Ter.
"Let me do it," she said earnestly.
"Mr. Handy, 1 shall depend upon
your escort"
Frank Handy bowed, and the girls
went together into bedroom.
Escort ?-was it his escort to the city I?
He had told her lie should 60 there
Cynthia sewed up the hole in the blue
dress, very sadly and quietly.
The animation faded from the young
authoress's face, as she looked down on
Cynthia's quivering lip, and saw big
tear fall upon her sewing. She had
heard some one say she had been the
victim Of false hopes raised by Seth
Taggart, and had in heart despised her
for it; but now she felt as if the sad,
heart broken love bestowed on him in
dorsed him as far better than he looked.
1t was woe. however, to which she
could not openly allude. But, as Gym
thia set the last stitch in her dress. she
stopped down and kissed her. every
sorrow has it's lesson," she said, "as
every weed has drop of honey in its
cup. Blessed are they that suck that
drop, and store it for good uses"
She had gone, and Cynthia was left
alone. Yes, she had much to learn
This nights experience had taught her
reign was over, and her career of belle
hood run. She, who was not good
enough to keep good mans heart when
she won it, would set herself to her new
task of self-improvement. She would
have her dear old fathers love, and live
at home, and little children, too, should
learn to love her. And then, perhaps,
some day, when they both grew old,
Frank Handy might, perhaps. see that
he had judged her hastily, and not be
glad, as he was now. that she had rejec-
ted him. At least, every improvement
in her would be due to his influence
though unseen and so. even in her
lonely life, he would not be altogether
dissociated from her. She sat in the
dark, with her hands clasped tightly
over her burning forehead.
She heard voices in the passage
The party was breaking up. People
were beginning to go. Oh! why had
she staid alone SO long Perhaps dur.
ing that hour Frank might have chang.
ed his mind. She had deprived hersel
of the opportunity.
She started up and hurried ou,
amongst the company. They were al
getting their cloaks and shawls on
Frank, in his great coat, was standing
impatiertly at the house door.
"Please to tell her that my buggy has
come up first" he said to some one, az
Cynthia presented herself in the pass
age.
IL am ready" said the lady in blue
presenting herself.
Frank raised his hat to the company
and took her on his arm.
"Shut up that door," said somebody
"and don't let the night air into thu
honse."
So the door closed with a jar that wen
to Cynthia's very heart. She turnet
aside and tried to help some of the girls
to find their shawls and hoods. "Every
lassie had her laddie." Cynthia only
had no one to take her home. She ask
ed Tommy Chase to walk home will
her, and he said he would as soon as h
had had some more cake and some NOR,
supper.
Cynthia went back into the empt,
parlor, and sat down by an open win
dow looking on the yard. She hid he
J face in her hands. All sorts ofthought
went singing through her brain but tn
one that presented itself the oftenes
was an humble resolution that she woult
! try to be such woman as Frank Hand,
wisely might have loved.
t There was stir among the vines tina
( draped the window frame. She did no
look up. It was the wind. She hear
it sigh. She felt its warm breath nea
, her cheek-warmer, surely, than tn
! night wind. She lifted her head quick
: ly.
} "Snip!' said Franks voice at he
? side. 1t trembled; and he trembled a
= he stood with great hope and gre'