The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1860-05-10

relies of my love- -dream--how wildly
did every circumstance connected with
it come up before mel How well 1 re-
collected our quarrel, which my own
wilfuness had caused, and Phillips sad,
reproachful face, when turned from
him with the angry exclamation
"Go, if you wish tit is best-for
we shall never agroei we had better
never meet again"
And we had never met again My
words, bitterly repented Of as soon os
spoken, and repented Of every day and
hour since that time, had been literally
adhered to. Phillip was in distant
land and l was an old maid Of thirty
Eve My musings we're here interrupt.
ed by the most outrageous noise down
stairs 1 began seriously to think that
my uncle was knocking away a portion
of his house by the hammoring that 1
heard. The most uproarious shouts of
laughter likewise aoated up from the
regions below.
II really believe everybody here is
crazy to-day" thought 1, as I COM
menced my toilet for dinner.
To please John, put on the very
gayost dress 1 possessed; for, however
much 1 might grumble about the boys,
I knew, and they knew, that would do
almost anything to please them.
every well-very we'll, indeed. You'll
do, Emily" said John, as he took a
critical survey Of my dress through his
oye.glass.
At dinner.timo there were the same
mysterious mods and glances that l had
noticed at breakfast, and everybody
seemed unusually excited. In the af-
ternoon John prepared to drive me out
in his new buggy, to see the country in
its October dress.
"More likely to make acquaintance
with Mother Earth" retorted I; "for
really John, you are so excited, you
will not be able to manage that spirited
horse Of yours. "
But John protested that he was never
calmer in his life, and, as a proof of
his placidity, performed some of the
most ridiculous manmuvrcs, without
however, convincing me at all.
"Better go, Cousin Emily said Har.
ry, 'it may be your last chance. ]
don't expect you'll as much as look al
me after to day"
In my heart Of hearts, determined
both to look at the gentleman and tC
talk to him in a way that he should no
soon forget But this matter was put
off till another day, for there stood
John waiting impatiently for me. Now
as I really had no fear whatever of
Johns driving, I decided to 60, little
guessing the vexatons l should undergo
before 1 reached home.
"Now," thought 1, as I seated myself
in the buggy, "now will find out the
meaning Of all this mystery twill bl
impossible for John to keep the socre
from me.
"Has anything unusual happened tt
day. John?' l commenced.
"Auythiug unusual happened to
day?" repeated John. "Why, yes,
think there has.
"What?" demanded I impatiently
"Why, you are thirty-fvo to day, arr
you not, Emily2' returned John, Will
a very dcmure face; "and quite young
and handsome, too, for 'thirty-fyc.
Now, l was both amused and proyok
ed at the absurdity Of this speech. IL
tell the truth, 1 had by this time be
come little tired Of hearing "thirty
| five"
"No matter" thought l, che will a
least be moved when he hears that l an
going away 1 know that he will sa,
cousin Emily can't be dispensed with.
"John," l began, "somedmes-to da.
especially-I have thought that itwoulO
be best if [ should 90 away from her
that should be happier in anothe
dwelling-place, bcoause--'
l was here interrupted by John, VIII
was attacked by the most outrageous fl
Of coughing, which lasted several min
utes, and which, by its violence, threat
ened to rupture a blood-vessel Indeed
1 was really alarmed by the evident dis
tress in which he was, and which ez
| hibitod itself by the purple hue Of hi
face, and by the oldest grimacos. N
allusion was made to my remark durin
the remainder of the ride, and l mus
say I was not a little wounded by th
perfect indifference manifested by d oh
] upon the subject of my departure,
"Thero's Amy Anthem, ., shouto
, John, as we passed a cottage, at the gat
Of which stood a blooming young cir
And as John spoke, no drew up with
] a sudden jerk, threw the reins to M
. and was soon in earnest conversatio
with Amy. Now, Amy was a great fl
vorite Of mine, and it was no secret th'
, she was a great favorite Of John'sals
5 but should have preferred that /
3 should have taken another time to hay
, shown his partiality, especially as b
t their motions, / knew they we're talkin
s about me. So leaned further back
D the carriage, feeling very uncomfortabl
s and imagining their whole conversation
e 81 suppose he is telling her that
o am thirty-fve to day, and Of course 81
will answer, with her prettiest smil
D "Poor old maid, I pity herl"
t "Good. by Amy. Now don't forg
T to be ready at the exact minute" W
70 Johns final speech, as we drove away,
- John had several other calls to max
- the object Of which / could not discov,
d There were several mysterious oonfC
a onoes held with elderly speculated
y dies, and young ladies, all Of whC