The Van Buren press., 1859-09-30

her lap, feeding her from the plate, though
begged by her sister not to tease herself
with the child. but give her to the nurse
Shirley could not refrain sharing with the
dear child some of the dainty little pate to
which his neighbor had helped him.
"Therc, there That Will do. Mr.. Shirley
I beg you will not give her any more. Garry
her away, Lucy, or these good people will
kill her with kindness. Thus was she borne
off, notwithstanding her entreaties to stay
with mamma. Shirley had another fault to
set down against the widow-her thought
less unconcern towards her beautiful child
as she sat smiling, chatting, flirting so care
lessly with Ellery, while Juliet went away
occasionally to see if the little one was
promptly attended to.
About sunsse they aet our on their return
and the drive was as delightful as the NOR
ming ramble. as they watched the early stars
peeping forth, and he listened to tones that
to him seemed sweet as the rippling music
Of the ripping rills. He had in truth, be-
gun to see everything coleur de rose-and
how true the words of the poet when speak
ing of the first step in Loves labyrinth
" Little we reck of our coming years
We fancy them just as choose
For whatever life's after may be-,
1t colors its first from the rose"
Then the evening was as happy for him
as the whole day had been for the ladies
insisted that their escort should enter and
spend it with them. When the tea was
handed round, Shirley had the extreme fe-
licity of putting cream into Juliette's cup,
and, better still, of sitting near her for sew
eral hours. Then, too, when tea was over,
she was his antagonist at chess, and he
looked with delight on her taper fingers,
looking still winter by contrast with the
red pieces she moved so daintily and skill
fully over the board. Her delightful voice
was still lingering on his ear as he closed
his eyes in sleep, for no other train of
thought had broken the enchantment.
His friends and himself did not talk much
as they wended their way home that night !;
but Shirley was not quite so morose as to
decline his friends invitation, given at part
ing, What say you to calling on the la
dies, tomorrow, to see if they have recov-
cred from their fatigue 90
The next day they did indeed call, and
paid them an unconscionable visit-if one
can trust b;iss Henderson's account, who
lived opposite. and who actually spent the
whole morning peeping through the blinds
to see when they would leave. And the
next day and again the next, Shirley had
ever ready excuse for calling. To-day it
was, &c must take those drawings prom
ised at other times, .' have piece of mu-
sic which l must take" or new book
till at last, grown bolder, he made no ex-
cuse at all, but visited there quite en- tamille
or to use the prying neighbours express
ior, as she watched with envious eyes the
comings and the goings of the handsome
lieutenant, g he had hung up his hat there
to dead certainty"
One morning he sat with his friend Ell
lery-it was two weeks since the opening
of this story-in the same room ; and his
face was not llstless as then, but wore a
preoccupled 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, f" Ell
lery what do you think will be the chan
ces of success with Miss Martin g"
Miss Martin % replied Ellery, with q
provoking smile, as he knocked the ashes
from his cigar deliberately against his boot,
Why, to be plain with you, my dear fellow,
think you have but slight chance. Take
my advice-far better try the widow
"Oh, hang the widow p exclaimed Shir-
ley. But, 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 un-
occupied heart to love, especially when l
woo.'
"Ah, yes. But there's the rub, Shirley.
The unoccupied heart |! There's no apart
ment in that heart to let, tatter myself
at least, if can trust to woman's VOWS, as
l am inclined to do in this case.'
What do you mean, Ellery ?' That
you love her, and that she-pshaw."
You may 'pshaw as much as you
like, Sir Irresistible, but tits true notwith-
standing. am myself engaged to that
very same Miss Martini
" For once in your life be serious, Ellie
ry, if you can"
"Serious Well, if You will not take
my word, I'll swear to it, Shirley. And il
you still doubt me, go and ask yourself
give you leave. But you had better take a
friends advice, and inform the widow oil
your matrimonial proposals while 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. Ell
lery sat smiling to himself, as, tilted in his
chair with his hat set jauntily upon his head
he finished his cigar tempting the now thcr
oughly irritated Shirley, by mocking air
to knock him over every time he approach
ed. AT last, having finished smoking, Ell
lery rose, and as he was drawing on hi,
gloves, making ready for start, he said
" Come, my good fellow, don't be cas-
down If you can't get Miss Martin, tak'
MO. Martin. One Of the name is as gooc
as the same as the old saying has it, ane
really believe she has fancy for you"
He did not stop to hear his friends an
swer, as he left the room with q laugh
Shirley continued his walk-now rapidly
and then stopped again fast--till he cam
to a dead halt in front Of the window.
| Impossible! There is no truth in tn
/ world if it exist not in Julictte Martin.
have heard her express an opinion concern
ing Ellery. and even laugh at him. whicl
no woman ever does at the one she loves
I will go, by George. and ask her indeed
If tits true. then will never trust woman