The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-02-12

ted coral polypi when danger approaches
each into the recesscs Of its cell.
Il beg your pardon, Miss Cynthia he said
stamnsering before he gathered self posses
sion, and accustomed himself to her pres
ence. Il was on my way to make you call
If you will allow me, will turn round an,
walk with your ~ss ~ >e -.
81 am not going far, Mr.. Frank, only int,
the village, for SOME ribbon for my hair
aud gentlemen dislike shopping (know
ing perfectly we'll that he would 60 will
her, = -. ~, .....
III know where wild hop-vine grows. ,
said he; "it would make much prettier or.
nament for your hair than any ribbons yor
could buy in the village.''
Sand will you get me some2" .
Turn this way into the woods, and snare
me half an hour while twist it into wreath
! am going away from here TO- morrow, per.
haps. l have been offered o profess orshir
in school of agriculture"
"lndeed, Mr.. IIandyp, a.....
there was . pause, and Cynthia resumed
little hurriedly: 81 should think you would
like going away from here. There is moth.
ing to tempt young gentleman to remain
among u.s."
81 shall like it, in some respects, bette,
than my present life," said HANDY. "This
farmers life, when there ure no higher in.
terests to accompany it, does not draw out
the best energies Of man. His nature,
like his thoughts, goes round and round in
the routine, like a squirrel in its cage, and
makes no progress"
"This man thinks higher things than
think" was Cynthia's thought as be said
this, and, for moment, she felt humbled in
his presence; but she rallied her pretentions,
remembered her bellehood and her con-
quests, and the light in which she ALWAYS
had been looked upon by all her lovers, and
was almost disposed to revenge upon Frank
Handy the passing feeling Of infcriority.-
Frank stood in silence, twining the hop
wreath for her head. He did not speak,
His thoughts were busted with the words he
would say to her when he broke silence
lie was satisfied to have her waiting ut his
side, waiting for the hop wreath, with lis pale
green bells, that he was twning leisureIy
and Cynthia grew impatient as she found he
did not speak to her. She addressed him
several questions, which he answered with
an air of pre- occupation. She wandered
from bis side few yards among the rocks,
turning over with her foot some pebbles
covered with gray and orange moss, and
disturbing all the swarm of busy insect life
which made its homo there. The influence
of the day stole into her heart, and made her
answers more soft and natural.
At last Handy broke silence, calling her
to him, as she stood watching the stir which
the point of her foot had produced in an
ant.hill.
"Miss Cynthia.''
els it flushed 20 she said quickly.
"Not the garland-but the struggle in my
breast is finished. have been questioning
myself whether should say to you what
am about to say"
Cynthia gathered a leaf, and began slowly
to tear apart its delicate veins and fbers.
"Nllss Cynthia, is it pleasant TO ycu to
have man say he loves you 20
81 don't know, Mr.. Handy. suppose so.
That is, | think it is very embarrassing
sometimes"
"Whv embarrassing, Miss Cynthia?"
He was taking her on new tack. 1t Was
different from anything she had ever before
experienced. She did not like this way Of
having his offer.
"lt is embarrassing when know that my
only answer can be No." she said. looking
him in the face for moment. and then cast
ing her eyes upon the lime leaf she was dis
sectiDg.
''lt would be more embarrassing, think,
if you were not so sure," he said, s'and II
you took the matter into consideration
"It never wants any consideration with
me-" she answered.
"What! did you never place before your
mind the subject of marriage? Have YOU
been satisfied with the vain triumphs of q
belle? And did you never look beyond, to
see what the happy duties of II wife, and
the sweet ties of home might be?"
Cynthia laughed, but the laugh was affect
cd and constrained. "What nonsense, Mr..
Handyn'
SIT is not nonsense he replied "such
they are womanly-- momonIy, above
everything else, should wish my wife to
be-"
:" hope she may be oil you wish her, Mr..
Handy. We will 90 now, if YOU please, if
you have finished my garland.'
''It is not ready for you YET" said Handy,
passing it over one arm while he took her
hand. "Cynthia, beloved. you must listen
to me-"
She drew her hand away, but he took it
again, and resumed: 'You must let me feel
its pulses beating against my hand, while
tell you the secret OF my iife-of my love,
for have always loved you. loved you
when YOU were blooming little girl, and
we both went to school to Ezekias Reed,
dear Cynthia. have loved you against
hope-at times against my better reason
have hesitated to tell you this because
membranes on nv farm made my position
less than that which thought ought to be
offered to YOU. have watched you, with
your other admirers; and, in some moments,
have not thought that any other had your
preference, so that other men have taken
their chance before me. This offer of u
professorship, which adds thousand dollars
to my income, makes it possible for me to
address you. Cynthia! there are depths
of tenderness which no human eye has ever
fathomed, in many a strong mans heart
depths which, perhaps, are never, by the
shallower nature of your sex, entirely re-
ciprocated or understood. 1t is not alone
my heart, it is my very naturc-heart and
soul, mind and strength-that offer to you.
The love of you, like things which plants
absorb and assimilate into their own growth
has become part of me. This is a tried and
true affection, Cynthia. 1t has waited pa
tiently until the moment came when it might
be offered to your acceptance. Cynthia, if
you will lay this little hand in mine' (and
he let it fall but stretched out his hand to-
wards her, 81 will strengthen you, and
elevate you and guide you. You shall be a
woman of higher rank, Gas God ranks wo-
man. for your union with mans stronger,
steadier and more single minded nature, and
Cynthia, your influence for good on me will
be incalculable. Who can estimate what n
man owes to the affection of a woman? All
that have in me that is good will be dou-
bled by your influence. You must draw forth
perhaps create-the gentlepess, delicacies,
and the tendernesscs that complete the
manly character"
He paused, and Cynthia stood with her
hands hidden in the folds of her mantle.
''No," she said, slowly; 81 um sorry, MIR.
Handy, but cannot be what you wish to
you"
There was an embarrassed silence be-
tween them for few moments, and then
rruth;o vothar;pu conra pa with hor RISING