The new era., 1860-01-26
MINNIE MfRY LEE.
me DOLLAR A YEAR.

eViuef1s tau grown with her growth,
fromia single observation of her man
ners in the society Of gentlemen.
Her aunt had frequently warned her
Of the danger of indulging in so unIove-
ly propensity, and cited instances in
which ladies with many strings to their
bows, found themselves, at last. in utter
destitution of one. Her reply, always
mental at least, and sometimes audible,
vas,
20. aunt. | shall never lose nv sens
cs so far but that shall know what
am about. lean flirt with Roger Ell
more, and DIR. Carter, and make my
self agreeable to Tom Morton, who is
dead in love with me, at the same time,
and if they are so conceited as to think
| am in love with each, particularly,
why Of course | am not TO answer for
their disappointment-ths foolish and
needless consequence Of their self-made
mistake If they would plainly ask me
for my hand, | should as plainly tell
them it was given away with my viii
long ago-for am now, as ever, of the
decided intention of marrying one of my
earliest schoolmates, either Charles
Locke or Leland Grove used to like
Leland best, but then Charlie was my
first love, and remembrances of him |
believe have the supremacy. However.
can decide after seeing them again,
for have confidence in myself to be-
lieve can win either Of them choose,
though | should have to manage pretty
fairly and truthfully with Charlie
couldn't manage to keep him suspended
so long on hope and devotion. as have
and do yet, Frank Simmons
And with these views in her heart she
returned home after an absence of six
years.
Charlie and Leland, after remaining
at the academy for period of three
years, went, the one to College, Leland,
who was a very fine scholar, and Char
lie on three years voyage to sea.
The latter's return was expected about
three months after Miss Lottie's Lee
land not until year, az he was several
hundred miles from his GUARDIANS. So
great, however, was his impatience to
see the pretty charming girl who had so
entranced his boyhood, that he came
home on short visit just one week after
Lottie' s. return During his two week s
stay, he and Lottic became, 10 all ap-
pearance, desperately in love with each
other and the night before his depar-
ture, as they sat in the arbor, almost
concealed even from the moonbeams,
Lottie promised faithfully 10 reserve her
heart and hand for him till his return in
year, at which time she would be his
own welded bride. With this happy as
surance, Leland returned to College
comparatively light-hearted, feeling he
had accomplished more by that trip
home than the whole previous three
years
The teacher Of the academy, at which
he had prepared, was named Selden,
very learned, accomplished scholar, Of
gentlemanly, attractive manners. While
Leland was at home, he visited him.
and called with him on Miss Lpttie. Me
Seldom was dazzled by the brilliant
beauty Of the young lady, and not hav-
ing the rem otest idea Of the engagement
between her and his former pupil, con-
tinued afterwards his visits frequently
He always received a cordial reception
from Miss Lottie, such as would give
him inevitably to understand that his
company was decidedly agreeable-and
he had already presented her with many
valuable bouks. which she without hssi-
tation accepted, and he had given also
more than one positive hins of the object
Of his visits-when Charlie Locke made
once more his appearance in the neigh
borhood. 8a nae ~ e
Lottie started with surprise on seeing
him, as much as she had done on seeing
Leland years ago. Leland had been
beautiful in early life. and as is often
the case in similar instances, was not 80
fine looking in his ripened years. where
as it was just the opposite with Charlie.
II would be difficult to find a more fine,
nobIe-looking youth than was he at
twenty. This at once excited the ad-
miration Of her whom he had in childish
sport termed hts " little wife, that slit
tie wife" who had voluntarily transfer
red herself to Leland upon her first ac-
quaintance with him. and who had,
since then, in sober carnestness, plight
ed to him her maiden troth and faith :
After Lottie's first somewhat protract-
ed interview with harlie, she retired
to her room and communed with hersel
thus :-
Now, how insane was4I. to go anc
promise to marry Leland Grove, while
all the time l had been long impressed
with the idea that should efer Char
lie-and he was coming SO soon, too
and could 50 easily have refused 4
enter into an engagement till Lelan'
had graduated But then, who coul'
have resisted such entreaties !! On tn
whole do not think | am p be niamFe
for he could not expect me to .ait q
him whole year, when j can -Iieas
, myself better withni asAontii sssfio'
, mistaken and unreasonable thess are
. are sometimes, in thinking . youlEfS