Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-03-14
THE LOVERS Suspicious.

equal Tor beauty OF expression, whatever may
be said of beauty of form and FEATURE
The young man who said this was gazing
adniringly on a lovely girl who was among
the dancers, her bright sylph-like form SEEM
ing to float rather than move in the mazes of
the dance.
After few moments silence he turned a
| gain to his companion, who made no response
to his previous remarks, and with manner of
blended gravity and playfuneSs, said ssTake
my advice, old fellow-you know l am fa-
nous for giving valuable counsel-and secure
this peerless creature while yet you may. If
you daily much longer you deserve to lose
| your chance of winning her."
sMuch chance have among the fattering
crowd that always surroundsl herr was the
moody answer.
s'Oh, we'll, you can't expect every one to
| withdraw whenever you choose to approach
| her," said the other, laughing. ssYou should
| be all the more pleased that you can win the
admired of all admirers in despite of them all.
why don't you propose, and end your doubts
and fears ?''
| ss1 can perceive nothing in her manner to
me to warrant my doing that" was the reply.
ssOnce 1 did fancy that my love was returned,
| but was only deuding myself then. / don't
| believe she has any more thought for me than
| for any one of dozen others who are counting
her favor.''
s.Miss Linden is not one to meet your ad-
vances half way, if 1 am any judge" replied
| the friend, more seriously than he had before
| spoken. ssI believe that she does care more
for you than for the others, principally be-
| cause she is more reserved with you than with
| them. She evinces conscious embarrassment
| in your presence, that would lift me to the
pinnacle of blissful hope were 1 in your place.
Rely on it, you are trfling with her happiness
| as well as your own.''
ssSee how she smiles on that Railton,'' said
the lover, evidently paying no heed to what
his friend was saying. sHe is ever at her
| side, and her pleasure in his society is very
evident.''
eyes, too evident to be symptom of love,'
said his companion. ssYou are not fancying
him in the way, surely Oh, Tom Tom!
what has became of your wits I? Pluck up cou-
| rage. man; pop the question, and if you do
not find me true prophet, punish me by nev-
| er believing me again."
Young Morris thought over what his friend
had said, and the result of the reflection was,
that on the following morning he repaired to
the house of his lady-love, resolved to learn
his fate without delay. When shown into the
parlor, he found to his extreme annoyance
that several lady friends were present, who
manifested no intention of soon taking leave.
However, having made up his mind, and de-
termining to outstay them, let them stay as
long as they would, he entered into trifing
conversation with the ladies.
He soon learned that two of the visitors were
in despair, because Miss Lindon was to leave
home the next day. Her sister at Reading
was going to give her house-warming, it was
indispensable that Gertrude should be there
but on the other hand, Julia Stevens party
next week would be failure without her.
Julia intended to have tableaux, and Gertrude
was just the one for that; they would be obli-
ged to give up three or four that they were
most anxious to represent, if she could not
be there to take the principal characters.sAnd
further, to Julia's disappointment, Mr.. Rail-
Ton had hDr<~ - l. ,sea aIz
he would not be in town on the appointed eve-
ming. Julia was quite vexed with them both,
for it was her birthday, and she wanted to
have everything go off we'll.
Mr.. Morris forgot to sympathise with the
ladies at this point for the mention of
Mr.. Ralton he had instinctvely glanced at
Gertrude, and she meeting his eye, colored
visibly. His jealous fears returned, and he
paid little heed to the conversation now GO
ing on; be was deliberating whether it would
be better for him to defer the object of his visit
for another time-till he could satisfy himself
by close observation whether Railton was in
deed rival, and still more important, wheth-
er he was likely to prove successful one.
Before he had come to any conclusion, the
other visitors prepared to depart. As they
were stepping into the hall they met a servant
bringing large box which she had just recei-
we'd at the door.
ssOh, there is your dress from Madame Car
just take ope little peep.'
Gertrude objected, but the young lady had
an Unsuitable curiosity, and moreover, prIded
herself on sspretty, child-like wilfulness,"
which was increased by opposition. Aware
of this, Gertrude yielded the point, though
she was evidently annoyed by her friend s un-
ceremonious procedure, and young Morris
quite sympathised with her. But how were
his feelings changed when he heard the excla-
nation. "Why, if it is not a bridal dress, and
the veil, orange wreath and all Just look!''
and the laughing girl held up to view wreath
of orange blossoms intermixed with lily of the
valley. sslsn't that exquisite All, Gertrude,
your secret is out.''
It was indeed exquisite, that dainty French
imitation of nature but in our hero's eyes,
what a hideous thing it was, and what fin
plain enough now and while the ladies were
yet bantering her on their discovery of her
secret, he took his leave, rejoicing that he had
escaped the humiliation of ssa refusal"
The other visitors did not tarry much long
er, being in haste to spread the news. Ger
trude tried to convince them that they were
altogether in error, but her protestations were
heard with laughing incredulity. After they
had left, she sent the box, with its elegant |
contents, back to the dressmaker: and in |
short time it again appeared, accompanied by |
the regrets of Madame Carson for the mistake |
that had been made.
Very beautiful was the evening dress that |
Gertrude now drew forth from the unlucky |
box, but she surveyed it with small appear |
ance of interest or admiration. The reproach- |
full look which she had received from Morris, |
as he made his parting bow, still haunted her. |
Though he had never in words declared his |
passion, yet she had long felt that he had To-
we'd her, and felt, too, that his love was not
unreturned. Vexed by the unlucky incident |