St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1860-06-28

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The pretty, pOuting lips had not
yet closed over the last word, when a
light rap was heard, and Mr.. Edmunds,
with the familiarity of frequent Wis
ltor, opened the door and walked in
before Alathca had time to discngagc
herself from the child, and do her du-
ty as hostess.
Sitting in the dark, ch? Didn't |
send you some candles to-day?" re-
marked the gentleman, taking a scat
near the young girl, and drawing the
willing Willie to him.
AIathca felt oppressed with the full
ness that will not allow Of words, and,
without replying, she arose and light
cd candle.
Mr.. Edmunds noticed that all was
not right. Lifting the little boy upon
his knee, he whispered, loud enough
for the sister to hear
Is Allie cross to-day?"
" lcs-no-I don't know she
wouldn't sing to me to-night.'
Wen, she's ugly, isn't she ~
NO-no - no - she isn't ~ OK
claimed Willie, with SO much vchc-
mcncc that his qucstioncr broke into
q hearty laugh. and Alathea was
forced to smile.
" One sunbeam has broken through
the cloud. Come, smile another such
smile, and shall be at your feet in
humble confcssion.'
" don't know what You would have
to confess replied Alathca. naivcIv,
sitting down mean the light, and tax
ing up her sewing.
Mr.. Edmunds smiled a rich, deep
smile, which rs it faded away. left a
deep, holy expression upon his coun-
tcnancc, while his ewes remained fixed
upon the lovely face before him. bend
ing low over the work, and flushed
with the now conflicting thoughts
within.
Little WiIlic's head soon bcgan to
droop with wcarincss, and his bright
eyes grew dim. He had forgotten all
about the story he was going to ask
for and, when Mr.. Edmumds gently
laid him upon the lounge. it did not
require a song to WOO him to slumbcr.
AIathca sat there stitching. stitch
ing, as if her life dcpcnGyd upon her
work being finished that night and
her visitor, after disposinw or his bur
den, walked back and forth through
the room with his hands behind him,
and his gaze bent iutcntIy upon the
floor.
Neither smoke, until at Icnrth the
yvuun. man nausrl in front of the in.
dustrious rirI, and takinr hold of her
work. drew it plavfulIv from her hands.
"lt is arccsSqrg for me to work"
said AIathca. with Il blush and n half
pout please let me have it.n
" You have done enough for today"
said the young man, taking a scat be-
side her Il want to talk with you
now"
"WcN. let us reckon MP our ac-
counts then, and see how we stand" ,"
said Alathca, the blush deepening
upon her face as she felt the gaze that
was upon her.
"And suppose we should find that
you was IN my dcbt-what then =
ny, should nave to eat less and
work more, suppose"
"AIathra.' SAID the young man,
taking her hand suddenly, and speak
InS with an carmcStncSs that made her
Shuddcr, "you are a good, sensible
GWl, and want You for wife. VIII
you give up your sewing and come
and live with me, and let me love You
and take care OF You y
\ thousand thoughts flashed through
Alathca's mind during the short pause
that followed. She had not expected
an offer OF marriage from Mr.. Ed.
mundS. She dld not Know Jast how
she ought to feel before refusing OF
accepting such IN offer She was not
sure but she was too young to think
of such a thing at all. And the last
and most bitter thought was that she
was under Obligations to him, and