The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-10-09

ed in the forms considered most beautiful.
| endeavored to prove them, and assured my
self that most Of them worshipped at the
shrine OF mammon, and cared more for my
fortune than myself.
81 turned away in disdain, caring little
that they called me coquette; and having
been disappointed in the search after SINGER
ETY. and nobleness imperfect forms. new
turned % the imperfect, and directing my
early memories-the unerrng instincts Of
childhood, found what sought, where
least expected it; and have been only too
glad to find that my preference is not in
vain"
+" And am--oh so grateful. But still, I
can hardly believe in its reality, dear Sarah.
Y seems impossible for one with your beau-
~, and grace, and wealth, to love a plain,
awkward fellow like me-"
80 But do, though" said Sarah, in low,
earnest tone, "and you may assure your
self, that there is no one on earth love bet
I ter"
"rhen you will make me the happiest
man living BY becoming my wife r. said
/ Harry, who had forgotten bis bashfulness
now, aud the low, musically toned Yes"
made him so even then"
What an awful catastrophem exclaimed
Hattie, il mock terror, when she heard the
result Of the interview. THAT great awk.
ward Harry Grave engaged to the pretliest
i girl IN the village, without even the excuse
Of a formal courtship. What will the gos-
,ips say z
They may say what they please, SO long
as retain Sarah's affectons;" said Harry.
and hope now il time to get rid Of that
dlsagreeahle patronymic.''
Now the ice was broken, and that terrible
question answered that puzzles SO many to
propose, il was easy enough for Harry to 90
through thar " formal eourtship." And in
fact. be never was happier or more at ease
N his life than now, in Sarah Iiarper's So
cicty. And he even managed to stand up
before select assembly, and 90 through
HAT terrific marriage ceremony. and long
afterwards, without fainting or turning much
redder than boiled lobster.
One evening after Sarah had become the
mistress oi Harry's establishment, as he was
sitting very lovingly BY her side, with Hat
lie in close proximity, she said" Harry,
how was il that you ever fOund courage to
write me that first letter received from
YOU -
81 never did write it, said Harry. smil-
ing. and to this day, il remains one Of the
mysteries a. 10 who did it"
- You not write it, said Sarah, with a
look Of blank astonishment, which was an
swered by a ringing laugh from the wicked
Hattie.
"Aa! 80 you were the rouge, you pro-
yoking thing," said Harry, +" strange that
never before mistrusted that it was you alone
who could have done it."
Well how could see two worthy peo-
pie 81 miserable without coming to the res
cue :" said Hattie, with a mock serious
mess. " And now are you going to thank
me u curse me for il !"
f" at least, thank you, dear sister," said
. Harry with a grateful look, for without
such questionable interference, l fear |
should not be enjoying my present happi-
q ness
: Anil suppose ought to pout and feel
! ashamed II my iGrwardness, in writing YOU
: such h letter without really being asked"
,ad Sarah. smiling. But as The result is
Just what we all wished. am ready TO be-
! Iie,p thai you thought what Harriet wrote.
: | .hall consider her deserving rich reward.
80 now, ~ | can command nothing more
y valuable. ! prnpose 70 make her the same
y kinh II present sic has bestowed on me !;
. aud HOPE she will value il as highly as | do
r hers
II ea. Ilattie's turn TO blush now, nor was
her confusion decreased By the entrance Of
sarah, brother, who was for some time The
secret beaa IDEAL Of her fancy. Hattie cast
an imparing look at Sarah, as much A. to
.ay. don't expose me" and she turned her
conversation to other subjects. But we
reckon il was resumed upon a subsequent
occasion, or Hattie Grave wonld not have
exchange her name for Harper.