The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-04-06

deal, tn walk with me, and sit under the
trees with me after dinner. And he was
sO pleasant and agreeable, and there wasn't
any one else, end liked him ~ Il was
very easy TO make him think liked him
better than | did. So I-neveF declined
any Of his attentions; and used to talk
and sing and walk with him till at last we
were together nearly all the time. II was
SO pleasant to have him like me so much,
prefer me to oil the other ladies, that ]
really forgot all about the Offer-indeed !
did, and did not try TO lead him on to
make 1t. But at last It came. Oh, aunt
Lizzie, had never dreamed II would be
like that. lie Was sent for to New York,
and the evening before he went he made
up q party TO drive down TO the beach
and see the moon rise. There was quite
q wagOn.load Of US from Mr.. J.'s., Par
sons, and the other houses When We
reached the beach we separated and went
off in different parties. SOme set on the
branches under 1.-THE bower" some out.
side on the sand, while others walked off
up the beach. Mr. Murray and | wan.
dered away from the rest, and sOon found
ourselves quite out Of sight Of oil the
others. Then he spread his shawl on the
sand, and we sat down to watch for the
moon. knew what he was going to
say; | felt II was coming and was
little frightened. but still somewhat vain
and glad. Foolish, foolish child that
was H -seetRs so long age, as If had
grown old since then. He began in such
low, solemn voice, and tod me about
the one he loved years ago; how through
all the long years since then he had never
breathed her name or spoken Of her till
to me. Then he said he did not believe
with those who think q man who once
loved earnestly should never love again.
Tie had given oil his love to mere dream
"a boys viSiOn-and il had all come back
into bis heart; now he should spend it
upon truer, wortlicr object. And then
he told me how he loved me. Oh, aunt
Lizzie, such words as he spoke then lie
told ne how, In tho short weeks We had
been together, this love had come up in
his heart, growing every day and hour as
he saw my simple, guilrless nature open.
ing before him. Simple, guieless 7 when
had been so artfnI and wicked.
"Thcn he stopped minute, and, bend
ing forward to look into my face, he took
both my hands in his and said:
"'Will you be my wiEcy"
"Thcre was my offer. Oh, how wished
in that minute that | had never met him
that ! had never gone to East IIamp-
toni was trembling and frightened !;
the story Of that other love had made me
cry with pity and now, how could be
the one 10 hurt him again, to make him
think all women hcartlcssy Ibid not say
word. could not only tried to
draw away my hands. But he held them
tightly and said again:
"'Will you be my wifcf"
"Thcn | tried to remember what had
meant to say, aud stamered out some.
thing about feeling sorry could not love
min, and hoping no had never thought I
meant to encourage his attentions, and
oh ! don't know what said it was all
tritiing nonsense. Shall I ever forget his
grievcd look when had dOnel He looked
into my eyes q minute, and then said, In
q low, sad voice:
"'Kitty Dean, IL you do not love me,
If you will not be my wife, say SO ct once.
am no boy, to have my love played with.
In mercy say it quickly, fat all
"Then ] said, rs firmly as ] could:
az do not love you, Nr. Murray.
cannot be your wife
ale turned away then, bowed his face
in his hands, and sat so long time, still
and silent. thought my heart would
break, to see that strong, noble man,
whom I am trustworthy to think Of, so
bent down with what had made him
suffer. I could not bear it. crept to
him and knclt before him. clasped ,ny
hands and said:
"'Oh, Mr.. Murray, I am so sorTyi"
He uncovered his face, put his arms
around me, and drew me close to hiS
breast, held me there one little minute,
whispered Goodbye, my child 1 then
put me away and ross up. That was our
parting. We walked together to join the
rest Of the party but oil the time | fell
miles away from him. We had parted,
and shall never be near him again. lie
put mc out Of his heart. just ~ he put
the out Of his arms. That Is the story.
Now you inay talk, Aunt Lizzie-nOw
you may say all the harsh, bitter things
you can think Of-nOthing can be too bad
for me-"
And then she fcll to crying again.
4" cannot scold you tonight, Kitty"
said. "YUu arc miserable enough as II
IN; and you must not cry another tear, OF
We shall have you really sick"
So ! undreSSed the poor little thing and
put her to bed, then left her. Down stairs
| found my brOther-in.law, anxiOusly
waiting to hear my own opinion of his
pet. Fquicted his fears, asSui ing him that
Kitty was not seriously i'll, only suffering
from the effects Of the sea air, to which
she was not accustomed.
Then went homo, thinking very hard
Notwithstanding Kitty's grief, my heart
turned away from her now to John Muir.
ray-my poor John. Was there no one
in the world for the foolish child to play
her schoolgirls prankS with but my boy /
was impatient, and could hardly forgive
my niece in Iny heart To be sure SHE
vas wrrtched about Il now; but It wa,
mere childish ~relchedneSs, which would
soon wear away, while john would suffer
on.
But days passed BY, and Kitty only
looked saddsr and palsS. She seemed e
take no interest IN any one or any thing
But every. day she would steal quietly
into my room, e. | sat at work, sit dOwU
ON . cricket at my feet. and lay her head
in my lap. scarcely ever speaking unlesl
in reply to some question Of mine. AnC
60 she would sit by the hour; and there
grew such an expression Of patient sOr
row on the little tacO. which had always
been so bright, that grew sadly troubled
had not thought the child had such I
tender heart, and now she was really pi
ming away from pity for John Murray.
"YOu must not be 90 sad, Kitty"
said one day, rs she sat In her usual place
at my feet, I" 1t makes your kind fathel
feel 30 badly. Try to be brighter ant
happier"
Happier, aunt Lizzie, / can never b,
happy again." she said, mOurnlully.