The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-03-18

Matte Arnott grew quieter and more
thoughtful every day. The fair forehead
was not less fair for the shade of sweet
gravity on it's smooth expanse-the blue
eyes shone luminously through dropping
lashes. Matte had changed-but she
was even more beautiful than ever She
read the news from the seat of war with
fegerish interest, yet she never once men
toned Herbert Miller's name not even
when she saw IN the daily papers that he
had been brevetted on the field for stead
fast gallantry and noble herolsm.
"You will come tonight, won't you,
Matte ? Lieut.. Miller has promised to
honor positively his first appearance
as an officer in this, his, native village,
laughed Miss Marsland, as she rose to
take her leave, after morning visit.
eyes. III come," sighed Matte, for if
she were obliged to meet him, the first
sharp pang might as we'll be undergone
now as ever. But, 0, that Kate Mars
land should have known first of his return
that Kate's house should be the FIRST
at which he had called.
How carefully she arranged the folds
of her white muslin dress that evening
how long she was in adjusting the spray
of ivy leaves in and out among her golden
curls And even then she was dissatis-
fed with the pretty image reflected back
from the mirror. But Matte was pref
udiced judge-she had never locke more
lovely in all the seventeen years of her
life.
AS she entered Kate Marslaud's crowd
ed parlors, the first person her eyes fell
upon was Herbert Miller, tall and hand
Some as ever in his blue aud gold uni
form. He was talking with spirit and
animation, the center of knot of young
people, be did not even see her All
she might have expected it-and Matte
leaned tearfullY against the window,
mechanically playing with her tiuny pink
fan
She did not see the futter of the silk
en- dresses that surged by her in the dance;
she did not hear the merry strains of the
music her thoughts we're far otherwise
inclined.
Ali of sudden hand was laid light
! ly upon hers, and she looked up with a
nervous start into the brown, sparkling
depths of Herbert Mlller's eyes.
"Mattie were you not going to speak
to ne p
II was afraid, Herbert"
Those tell-tale blue eyes-they betray-
ed in one tear bright CLEAN the secret she
would have given worlds uncounted to
keep within her own bosom Herbert
Miller was not versed in eye language
yet he read Mattie's glance lnstantane-
ously.
You have not forgotten me, then,
Matte 2"
"Forgotten you, Herbert p
She would have said more, but her
voice faltered and heSitated
'He was silent an instant, then spoke
III low tones:
DO you remember our last interview,
Matte Do you remember said that
[ thanked you for the rejection of NY
suit? Matte, have changed my MUD
since then"
$50 have |, Herbert"
He took both the trembling hands in
his with glad bright face.
"Mattie, my hearts dearest treasure, |
lay my love at your feet a second time
Will you accept it now -
He needed 90 answer save what he read
in her blusning cheek and happy eyes
they both sald Yes" and said it pretty
en.phatically. too.
"And what made you think I was worth
two courtships. Herbert % she asked,
long afterwards.
"Mattie," said be, quietly, "when our
regiment charged at Antietam, we were
repulsed at frst-the shock of the ad-
vanclng cavalry broke our ranks, and
threw US into temporary disorder. But
it was only for moment: We formed and
charged again The second time we
bore eff the aurels of the victory. Now
don't laugh, Mat, if carried the militia
ry lesson into the field of love! I was
repulsed at first, but [ charged again,
and here is my sign of victory
He held uF plain gold wedding rign
as he spoke.
"For tomorrow, love"
Yes he had indeed been victorious and
the true, lsving little heart was his cap
tive for life.
~Dr. Chalmers once asked woman
what could be done to induce her hus
IL al Iop't