The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-05-16
MAY MELTED AND MARRIED.

nearly twenty minutes CiOSely "d'O"'ho 'AS Inv
ticns Of lady who sat near him at the work
table.
The gentleman was fine, noble looking man
with frank, we'll formed features and pleasant
expression. He was handsomely dressed, and
TO judge by the looks of his hair, you might
have said that he had wife, had he looked, in
ether respects like married man-which he did
pot. .e...
The room in which the two were sitting be-
tokened wealth and taste It's occupants were
evidently in the upper ranks OF life.
The lady addressed was person OF fair, in
teresting face and graceful form. She certainly
did look remarkably well, as she bent her head
with its abundant and shining hair, and piled
her white hands in the task which employed
her sight, aud apparently his whole thoughts
Probably conviction Of her attractiveness
and worth had caused the question which her
companion put in such hearty abrupt tone
that May started and dropped the red worsted
work upon which she had been intent.
s"What a question:" she cried with a light
laugh--"just as if cared about being mar
-riedP'
"Why should you not care, May? Surely it
is the best and happiest state for man or wo-
man."
"Granted with proviso," said May; "but
Mr.. Rosstter, if you think SO, why have you
never married.
#a"You are true Yankee, May, and answer
L., 81 hut tall ma
why you are, at thirty years OF age, and still
single?'
"IIow dare you say am thirty years old?-
Upon my word, il you were not brother to my
sister in law, I'd not speak to you again for a
week"
May pretended to pout; and the pout was
quite becoming her iull arched lips.
"Did'nt you yourself tell me your age. and
that only the day before yesterday? Your
memory seems very Short think, Miss Ben
SON."
F"Well, didn't expert you were going to throw
it up to me that was an old maid to pay me
for my conf ence in you"
gs Oh! Nlay--did say that? And if did
you can break my glass house, by 6inging back
my taunt. But come, now, answer my ques-
ton"
Il never could get any one to have me- said
May shortly. "Are YOU satisiied?'
"No. You need not tell me that person so
attractive as you are has never yet had ardent
. lovers. I know better May-so tell me now
why you are not Mrs. Somebody"
May suddenly sobered down and said ner
vously--""lts because man whose love
could return ever loved me-"
And she resumed her work.
Her face had altered! There had come over
it stern, hard expression, as If she were say
ing inly--
1t matters not-I can wrestle down these
yearnings for something worthy, and noble and
strong, against which to lean; for something
winning and tender and loving which to love.
IF there is no heart on earth whose best love Is
the love l want can do without it-I can
walk to the end of life, as I have walked thus
far @
Rossiter regarded her in long silence. He
had known her for many years, and had often
wondered at her great Indifference to the at
tentons OF gentlemen. He had even en- more
than one occasion, taken her to task for her
manner toward them.
"You wont allow them to become acquain
ted with you at all,'' he said. "When you are
introduced to man that's the last of it. All
the young men admire, but they are afraid Of
Il:
man say that he thought you beautiful and in
terssting creature; but then he would as soon
undertake to warm into love an iceberg as your
self--even il he had courage enough to make
the attempt" .eaaa. ....r
.aAgskeptcal smile had been the only answer
to such questions. .t. .- .st. .s,t
How could May believe that she was capable
Of inspiring affections in others when those
who knew her best were SO lightly touched
byit. .ss., s.,oa.
Rossiter had been for three or four years ab.
sent, and had newly returned when, the above
conversation took place. lie wasa comfortable
old bachelor, happy in disposition, happy in pos
session Of an independent fortune, and happy in
his sisters home mot to say happy in the com
panionship of May, whom he honestly believed
10 be about the best and most lovely girl in the
world. lie had once dearly loved and sudden
ly lost fair charming bride; and never since
had he allowed himselfto think OF loving. And
besides he did not know that he wished to
marry. He was well satisfied with his "state
and conditoi'--when he was at home. To be
sure he did feel uneasy and dissatisfied all the
while he was abroad. He did miss his sister
,so--and May--oh! how glad he was TO see them
when he returned-an how strange he thought
twas that May didn't rush at him in the hall
land hug and k IS him just as his sister did;
but he took full satistact ion OF the contrary
creature when she did come to welcome him.
s's "And so May isn't married yet," he saId,
"wel it's rather too bad; but am glad OF IT."
May came very near signing, but she did not
d --at least not audibly. How many still born
sighs are there in the world. II is well it is no
crime to smother them at their birth.
ii, Well Rossiter sat studying that still stern
face before him, and he thought new thoughts
new as to their present relations. III
Il. "May," he said, at length, MAY was even
there q man that you could have loved had he
asked it?' .a....,
Like q crimson dye up rose the hot blood of
that bowed head, and the hard look was put