The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1859-04-21
CHAPTER III.

4 uG uCAL Nuy3 duu ONO OF Two budb
succeeded, we're spent in riding, driving,
walking, or in home amusoments, ac-
cOrding to the state of the weather.
But, no matter what the occupation
which took up our time, I continued my
assiduities to Lady Maria, the daughter
of a poor earl, but the heiress to a dis
tant relatives wealth and estates.
Tom was equally attentive, but am
bound to say his attentions were not
equally well met. My heart began to
beat as / found myself the favorite one.
Wild visions Of the future began to
cross my brain wanted few months
of being Of age, when should become
my own master, and that of small
property held from my mother
No selfish reflections on the folly of
marrying on three hundred a year en-
tered my head. That was precisely my
income, besides my pay. 1 thought !
could live upon it, and so blissful did
the prospect seem that that I actually
determined to sell out rather than delay
my happiness. I was wild with pas.
sion; I reflected on nothing. I believ.
ed in bnt one thing-my love, ardent
devoted and sincere, for Maria.
Men, and women too, have the crue
courage to laugh at these early passions
aud to cover them with ridicule. L
is possible that many, perhaps the ma
jority of youths, are incapable of feel
| ling love cndurable and eternal at SC
early q period of their career. On thi
point am incapable Of giving an opin
ion. But this I do knaw, that in m,
case it was the one passion Of my life
I felt as keenly, as deeply, as devoted
lily, as ever mortal man did feel-mor
keenly, I do believe, than those who's
blunted feelings are in after life at
trocted by beauty and grace.
Life had no charm, existence, no dc
light, save her. Others thought so too
and, as I was aware of my brother
preference, 1 brought the affair to a
issue:
It was Christmas Eve. The day wa
lovely. The snow was haad and cris
and dry. Shakspeares line would tru
! ly have not applied, for no
Grain and wind beat dark DosomLor"
. We had walked out. l, as usual, b
the exercise of a little maneuvering
, had Lady Mrria on my arm My broth
er Tom, who was slower in his move
ments, was forced to content himsel
= with sister Fanny.
] I suppose he did not wish to appeo
@ to watch us; as we came to Dilcot Ian
he turned to the right as we turned
the left. The paths met about a mi
below. Our path was down a valle,
! with rows Of dark frs on either side
: sheltered and pleasant place in sun
mer, and not without its attractions
wintor, even if its being free from gust
wind puds wero alone considered
q About a quarter Of tho distance W,
, passed over in silence. could NJ
= talk Lady Maria tried mo once
; twice j answered ia monosyllables
Atlength she began tho couversatiC
! in tone so tender and con5idorate
could not but respond.
"Dear Harry, she said, "are you n
well2"
"Well enough in body"
"What" cried Lady Maria, in h
more joyous tone, "somethiug pressil
on your mind2 Can you End no ply.
cian2 Can I do uothjngf
E "You and you only" said I gray
Iy.
She looked up at me with a ke
and penetrating glance, which nev
forgot. She turned as she did so, al
bent er'eyes upon the ground.
3 "Well, Harry" she said sadly.
"Maria, it is no use my disguisi
the truth any longer--I love you-I 10
you with all my heart and soul Ma
do not interrupt me. From the ve
first evening came home, my sens
have left mo. i am wild with inten
q earnest passion. Mine is no boys IA
oy. / have cast my whole soul up
this one issue.-you or nothing. wi
YOU this earth would be the most 10
y. GUS Of oarths; without you, a drca
waste. / have not spoken without
Election. Maria, have said that wi
20 succeed in life, but begin 10 fan
= that love is worth all ambition. j
B. willing 10 leave the army. 10 {
months ] shall be Of age; my fortune