Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-09-04

cared more for my fortune than myself.'
Then turned away in disdain, caring
little that they called me coquette; and
having been disappointed in the search af,
ter sincerity and nobleuess in perfect forms.
| now turned to the imperfect; and direc.
ting my early memories-the unerrine In
stincts ofchildhood, 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,
| can hardly believe in its reality, dear
Sarah. 1t seems impossible for one with
your beauty, and grace, and wealth, to
love plain, awkward fellow ike me-
But | do, though said Sarah, in a
low earnest tone, and you may assure
yourself, that there is no one on earth
love better
Then you will make me the happiest
n.an living by becoming my wife p said
Harry, who had forgotten his bashfulness
now; and the low, musically toned Yes,'
made him so even then
What an awful catastrophe 7 exclaimed
Hattie, in mock terror, when she heard
the result of the interview. That great
awkward Harry Grave engaged to the
prettiest girl in the village, without even
the excuse of a formal courtship. What
will the gossips say?
They may say what they please so long
as retain Sarah's affections > said Harry,
and hope now in time to get rid of that
disagreeable patronymic'
Now the ice was broken, and that terri
BILE question answered, that puzzles so
many to propose, it was easy enough for
Harry to go through that formal courts
| ship And in fact, he never was happier
or more at ease in his life than now, in
Sarah Harper's society. And he even
managed to stand up before select as
sembly, and 60 through that terrific mar
rlage ceremony, and long afterwards, with
out ,lntlng, or turning much redder than
boiled lobster.
One evening after Sarah had become
the mistress of Harry's establishment, as
he was sitting very lovingly by her side.
with Hattie In close proximity, she said
Harry, how was it that you ever found
courage to write me that first letter | ever
received from you e
4 never did write it, said Harry smil-
ing, 'and to this day, it remains one of
the mysteries as to who did,
You not write it. said Sarah, with q
look of blank astonishment which was an
swered by ringing laugh from the wicked
Hattie.
Ah! so You were the rogue, you pro,
voking thing said Harry, strange, that /
never before mistrusted that it was of you
alone who could have done it,
Well HOW COULD see two worthy pec-
pie SO miserable, without coming to the
rescue said Hattie, with mock seriousness.
And now are you going to thank me or
curse me for it p
L at least, thank you, dear sister, said
Harry, with grateful look, 'for without
such questionable interference, I fear
should not be enjoying my present happi-
ness.
And | suppose ought to pout, and feel
ashamed of my forwardness, in writing
you such letter without really being
asked said Sarah smiling. But as the
result is just what we all wished, | am
ready to believe that you thought what
what Harriet wrote. shall consider her
serving rich reward. So now, as I can
command nothing more valuable, | pro-
pose to make her the same kind of pres
ent she has bestowed on me; and | hope
she will value it as highly as do hers
1t was Hattie's turn to blush now, nor
was her confusion decreased by the en-
trance of Sarah's brother, who was for
some time had secretly been the beau ideal
of her fancy.
Hattie cast an imploring look at Sarah,
as much as to say, don't expose me- and
she, pity her conversation to other sub
jects. But we reckon it was resumed upon
subsequent occasion, or Hattie Grave
would not have exchanged her name for
Harper.