The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-13
A MILITARY COURTSHIP.

$50 you won't marry me?" said Her.
bert Miller, as he stood with folded arms,
his 60 six feet one inch of altitude calmly
drawn up, towering high above Matte Ar
motifs curly head.
The usual programme of wooing seemed
to be reversed in this individual instance,
for Matte was blushing and embarrassed,
twisting her blue ribbon sash round and
round, while Herbert was prOvOkingly
cool and satirical, even though he had just
listened to the fatal "No.'
81 am so young, Herbert" faltered the
girl ''only sixteen, you know; and
hardly know my own mind yet; and it is
ungenerous OF you to press me so urgently !;
and -
Snow, Matte, this won't do" said the
young soldier, resOlutely OBTAINING her by
one firm hand. Answer me plainly, yes
or no.
mo, them pouted Matte, her blue
eyes flashing, and her cheeks rosy with
flame.
every well; just as You please, Miss
Mat said Herbert, complacently. On
the whole, I'm much obliged to you for
pronouncing that monosyllable SO decid-
edly. You're very pretty, but don't think
you'd suit me exactly. We should get
tired of one another. We have been
brought up together, you know, and same
ness is always tedious You are lovely
blonde, but | think l should prefer bru-
nette and, besides, can go off peaceably
to the war now, without any incumbrance
in the shape of an engagement. The medi-
cine was hard to take, but I've no doubt it
will do me good. Adieu, Mattie-and |
wish You good husband"
And off walked Mr.. Herbert, whstling
most cavaierly, and looking provokingly
handsome in his cool disdain.
Matte Arnott did not know what to
make of the young soldiers audaciOus self
possession. She never had real lover
before. but she was quite certain they new
er acted in this way after a rejection.
Somehow she had an idea that Herbert
Miller had been making fun of her-and
she was not altogether certain that she had
done sensible thing in saying g No." Be-
sides, she had fully calculated on his being
unwilling to take her at her word. Why
didn't he coax and implore, and renew his
entreaties-why didn't he take her by
storm, in short, as the lovers in novels did
Matte Arnott waited until her discarded
chevalier was safely out of sight. and then
she ran up to her own room, locked her.
self in, and cried passionatey.
Dear me, Martha, how red your eyes
are" said Mrs ArnOtt, as the girl took her
place at the bountifully spread tea-table.
"What in the name of common sense ais
your
It's settin up late o. nights, readin'
them story papers," growled Squire Ar
mott ''Shell be blind before she's twenty
five years old, at this rate, or have to
wear specs-a gal in specs don't have half
the chance to catch a beau! ~ Halo!
what's the matter with the child?"
For Matte had burst into tears again,
and left the table. All, it was a sore little
heart that beat underneath Matte Ar
motifs black velvet, Spanish waist.
If she could only have lived that day
over again. But the sun was low in the
crimson tides of the great western sea, and
the young moon was mounting up, and
the day with all its chances and changes,
was gone-gone to return no more. Slow
ly the months rolled by, and Matte Ar
mott grew quieter and more thoughtful
every day. The fair forehead was not
less tair for the shade of sweet gravity on
its smooth expanse-the blue eyes shone
luminously through dropping lashes. Mat
tie had changed-but she was even more
beautiful than ever. She read the news
from the seat of war with feverish interest,
yet she never once mentioned Herbert
Miller's name, not even when she saw in
the daily papers that he had been breveted
on the field for steadfast gallantry and
noble heroism.
"You will come tonight, won't you,
Matte? Lieut.. Miller has promised to hon.
or positively his first appearance as
an off GER in this, his native village, -
laughed Miss Marsland, as she rose to take
her leave, after morning visit.
eyes, I'll COME" sighed Matte, for if
she were obliged to meet him, the first
sharp pang light as we'll be undergone
now as ever. But O, that Kate Marsland
should have known of his return-that
Rates house should be the first at which
he had called.
How carefully she arranged the folds OF
long she was in adjusting the spray OF Ivy
leaves in and out among her golden curls.
And even then she was dissatisfied with
the pretty image reflected back from the
mirror. But Matte was prejudiced judge
she had never looked more lovely in all
the seventeen years of her life.
As she entered Katy Marsland s crowded
parlors, the first person her eyes fell upon
was Herbert Miller, tall and handsome as
ever. in his blue and gold uniform. He was
talking with spirit and animation, the CEN
tire of knot of young people; he did not
even see her! All! she might have ex-
x,oo4oa all Mattia laanad faarG,ll.r