The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-04-26

lent duenna as Cousin Maryland, in
deed, he heard the other day that he was
paying attention to her.
/ thought it all over bv myself, when
he had gone, and came to the conclusion
that it was not necessary for me to resign
so great pleasure as his society had be.
come, merely for the fear of what few
curious people might say. Even Mary,
cautious as she was, protested against ban
little talking over of the matter among
ourselves, we decided to let Mr.. Ames
come as often as he chose, for the remain
ing month of his stay.
That month went rapidly enough, for
II was we'll enough to ride and walk out.
and half the time had Mr.. Ames to ac-
company me- I got to value him very
much, as | knew him better, and as he
grew acquainted with my peculiarities ];
and we were the best friends In the world,
without thought of being more. No
one would have laughed at that more than
we, there was such au evident unsuitable
ness in the idea At length the time
came for him to leave Huntsviile his
house was closed, except one room where
he still preferred to remain, and his friend
was already gone. He came to take tea
with US for the last time, and was as
agreeable as ever, although it evidently
required some effort to do so. Soft heart
ed Cousin Mary broke down and went off
crying when he bade her good bye, after
tea but was not of such stuff, and laugh
ingIy rallied him on the impression he
had made.
''Get your bonnet, and walk over to the
stile with me, Miss Rachel" he said. at
isn't sunset quite yet, and the afternoon
is warm. Come! it's the last walk we
shall take together"
| followed him out, and we went al
most silently across the folds to the hill
that overlooked the strip of meadow be-
tween our houses. There was the stile
over which had looked to see him spring,
many time.
"Sit down moment, until the sun is
quite down." he said, making room for
me beside him Oh the topmOst step. ''See
how splendid that sky is pavilion for
the gods"
=" I should think they were airing all
their fnory," I answered. " 1t looks more
like a counter spread with bright goods
than anything else can think OF"
"That's a decidedly vulgar comparison,
and you are not in spiritual mood at
all" he said. " You've snubbed me two
or three times tonight, when I've tried
to be sentimental What's amis8 with
you ?" and he bent his eyes, full OF sau-
cy sort of triumph, upon mine
/" don't like parting with friends it
sets NE all awry," l SAID, giving back his
own sclfassured look. | was sorry to
have him 60 !; but if he thought was 60
ing to cry or blush, he was mistaken
You'll write to me, Miss Rachel ?"
he asked.
d" No, Mr.. Ames,-not at ALL" [ said.
"Not write? Why not?" he asked,
in astonishment.
Because [ don't believe in galvaniz-
ing dead friendships" l answered.
"Dead friendships, Miss Rachel?
hope ours has much life in it yet, he said
Its in the last agony, Sir twill be
comfortably dead and buried before long,
with a neat little epitaph over it,-which
is much the best way to dispose Of them
finally, | think"
You're harder than I thought you
were," he said. Us that the way you
feel towards all your friends ?"
81 love my friends as well as any one,"
| answered "But | never hold them
when they wish to be gone. My life yarn
spins against some other yarn, catches
the fbres, and twists into the very
heart"
$50 far?" be asked, turning his eyes
down to mine.
YES" said, ooolly,-"for the time
being. You don't play at your friend
ships, do you? If so pity you As l
was saying, they're like one thread. By
and-by one spindle is moved, the strands
spin away from each other, and become
strange yarn. What's the use OF send
ing little locks of wool across to keep them
acquainted They're two yarns from
henceforth. Reach out for some other
thread, there's plenty near,-and spin
into that. We're made all up of little
locks from other people, Mr., Ames. Won't
it be strange, in that great Hereafter, to
hunt up our own fbres, and return other
peoples? 1t wo I'D take about forty-fve
degrees of an eternity to do that"
81 shall never return miue," he said. |
/" I couldn't take mysclfto pieces in such
style. But won't you write at all?"
"To what purpose? You'll be glad of
one letter,-possibly oftwo Then it will
be, 'Confound it! here's mssive from
that old maid What bore Now | |
suppose must air my wits in her behalf;