Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-04-15
VOL. XIII.
THE QUAKER,s Love
By MARY W. JARvIN,

! By MARY W. JARyN.
Il am sorry thou dost not love me, Mar
! tina"
The speaker was young man of pleasant
frank countenance, though now a shadow Ui
disappointment fingered on his features, as
he stood in the low, old-fashioned sitting-room
of Elder Grants house, one quiet October
evening.
Reuben Kane's fair, open countenance did
not belle his nature. straightforward, manly,
shrewd at bargain with ..the worlds people, -
and, because of his superior business talents,
promoted to head Offices in the Soeiety-kind
hearted, and, though sober-minded, yet fond of
Joke now and then-it was not strange that
with all these qualities, the young man should
have come to be regarded as a pattern by the
old people and an "eligible one" by many a
fair Quaker maiden. And yet, though many a
soft blue eye was guilty of the offence of look
ing out from under bonnets of drab on the
Lords day from the female side Of the plain
Quaker meeting house on the hill, and carnal
meditations, I fear me- intruded on the long
silences-though many spot spoken "thee"
and "thou" fell on Rueben's ears, yet none
had power to move his heart but the fair brown
eyed Martha.
Perhaps Elder Grant, from his high seat
where he sat regularly every Seventh day
now in silence, now uttering the inspirations
which "the Spirit" prompted-had never lifted
his eyes to note the young mans gaze which
turned offener across the asile to the row of
occupied wooden seats opposite, where the de
mure Martha sat; but when Heubefi sought
him one October day, and though very red in
his face, and with unwonted stammer in his
speech, spoke of love as connected with his
Martha, the old man placed his hand affection
ately on his shoulder, and said candidly:
4sGo to the girl, Reuben, and tell thy story.
There isn't lad in the village I'd rather have
for son than thee"
And so Reuben went with the proffer of his
strong earnest heart to the girl, and met, not as
he fondly believed and dreamed, blushing,
timid "Yes, Reuben" from her rose bud lips,
but firm, though kindly y-worded refusal.
NAY, Reuben, don't ask it l wish thee
had not come hither with thy offer of affection,
when there are so many Others more worthy of
thee" and the young girl paused, as if compass
sionating him.
II am sorry thou dost not love me, Martha" J"
1t was all he said-it did not betray any vio-
lent outburst of feeling; but it was sad and
touching in its very ealmness, and the girl was
affected by it and did not know how to re-
ply.
There was little pause there in the old sit
ting-room.
"Yea, am very sorry, Martha he repeated
at length. 81 did not think of any but thee
did not know or care if they were worthier-I
only loved thee, truly, Martha"
"I never dreamed it, Reuben. I wish thee
had not told me of this said the girl, covering
her face with her hands and strongly moved.
perhaps it is because of my sudden speak
ing that thou art mistaken in thy feelings to-
wards me, Martha said the young man, kind
ly, hopefully noticing her agitation. art
thou sure, Martha, thou dost not care for me
in the least ?"
"Yea, quite sure" she said hastily. LAS
friend Reuben, thou art cherished, and will be
always; bnt don't ask more, pray thee. Don't
speak of this "
"Nay, l will not, since it distresses thee
Forgive me- Martha. I would not wound thy
feelings for the world. Let us forget this"
Thou wilt marry some one else and be very
happy, Reuben, said Martha.
"Nay | shall never marry, Martha" replied
the young man sadly "But let us speak no
more of this. When we meet again it must be
as friends, since thou hast forbidden dearer,
yea, a tenderer relation. God bless thee, Mar
tina, and send thee one after thy own heart, to
guide thy feet through life, though nobody can
ever bear thee trter heart than l have done.
Thou wilt not refuse thy hand at parting, Mar
tha ?"
The girl laid her fair, plump hand, white as
the Snow flake and ursoiled by toll in the broad
palm of the Quaker youth, and for a moment
they stood eye to eye, face to face.
A sad look, springing moisture, was in
the youths large blue eyes, and the girls gaze
fell under his. He did not leave kiss upon
the little soft hand he held, as more gallant
lovers do at parting, but he not press it
long and earnestly, as though 10th to resign it,
then said in low voice:
"Good night, Martha. God bless and keep
thee" then passed out.
And Martha Grant-sat long after the young
man had left her, with troubled look creeping
up to dim the brightness of her eyes, and her
little hands folded in quiet, dreamy, sort of
fashion, as if she were thinking deeply.
50 dear why did he come here and tell me
this 2" she sighed heavily. "Or why couldn't
it have been earlier, before he told me! but
hush nssstHt speak of that p and she glanc-
ed round the room with frightened sir, then
whispered to herself u don't know but its
wrong to go ON seeing hints deceiving my
dear good old father-I wish 1 hadn't let him
put this on Hsy finger y and she lifted one lit
tie hand on which cleaned a slender circlet of
gold shining bright in the fre-glow. "I1l give
it back, and tell him he must go away, or ask
my father for me, and then I'll never marry
anybody, but live and die here, taking care of
my kind old fatehr. Poor Reuben! I'm ser-
ry he came here to-night-he looked so sad and
sober like. Yea, 1 wish he hadn't told me "
and pretty Martha Grant looked soberly into
the fire.
The winter had passed, with its drifted
SHOWS and sharp airs; and the pleasant New
England May had come.
EVERYTHING looked pleasant and cheerful, as
of old, in the dwelling of Elder Gfant-eveFy
Sunday, as had been his won't, he sat in his ac-
customed seat in the meeting-house on the hill,
while keuben Kane and Martha occupied re-
spectively opposite sests across the aisle; but
though the yonng man cherished still his quiet
love, he had never spoken of it again, and Mar
tina was never troubled by a repetition.
Yet Martha was not happy. Day by day
going about her fathers house and directing
the domestic duties, troubled light crept into
her eyes, and nervous, restless feeling imbued
her being She grew thin also, and the face
that looked out from her Sunday bonnet had
lost something of its freshness.
perhaps she repents her dismissal of the LAD
Reuben" the old elder said looking upon her
at cannot be that she is pining for that city
fop, who asked her of me last fall. Martha is
too sensible girl to think long Of him. She