The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-20
AN ARM FOR A HEART,

One Of Mrs Merideth's Evenings" was
two-thirds over. The light shown gaily
over fair women. Eyes sparkled, jewels
flashed, silken rament glistened, fiimsy
laces shook odors out upon the air. The
dance music sounded merrily; for it was
only the February of 81, and people used
to dance then-before the nation had been
turned into two classes only, soldiers and
mourners. Ethel Darricott was tired
She had been on the floor all the evening
She WAS glad now to obey her partners
lead, and stop for Il moment to rest upon Il
sofa, in the recess formedby bay window.
The little nook was deserted just then. as
it CHANGED, and it looked quiet and invit-
ing-a little withdrawn from the confusion,
and yet in sight of all the light, and glitter
and movement.
Miss Darricott had danced more than
half the evening with the same partner
Howard Revere. He was u handsome,
naughty, INDECENT man young, still scarce
ly twenty-five, indeed; but with an air of
command, careless, yet absolute, thatlnaIe
you think him much older. There was
something inscrutable, something which
biqued your curiosity, in the expression Of
his face-;l look in his dark eyes which
might mean SO many thing, that YOU lost
yourself iii the midst OF speculation. He
WAS tall ana vigorous, with muscles that
would have set the "strOlg man. crazy
with envy and yet Il lazy, nonchalant air,
as if he would like some one to save lliln
the trouble OF lifting hi. own fingers.
Miss. Darricott WAS happy sitting there
by his side, both Of them silent, with the
bright dresses and fair faces circling lnazi-
" in front of them, and the dance music
50 merry that it was sad with its own mad
ness of mir,h sounding in Jhci" eaIS. They
looked on for a while without speadin.--
then Miss Darricott said, inu~iuGlv:
"A great many pretty faces, tre 1T
therc:"
| suppose 50. was Just wondering
why none OF them looked particularly pref
ty to me. wonder is it always 50. Ethel
that when aman truly loves one, he sees
some defect III all Others because they are
not Just like herr"
lie had never called her Ethcl before.
It quickened her art-bcats little, and
did not answer him because she did not
know what to say. He did not notice, at
least he went on speaking slowly, half IN
voluntarily "a it were, words which would
he said.
a. don't know why | tell you now,
Ethel | surely did not mean TO when |
made yOu sit down here; but love you
/ want you to be mine, NY wife, by my
side forever-to fill upa great void there
IS in my life, What does your heart say !?
can you Gomez"
Miss Darricott did not speak for little
while She was asking herself his ques-
ton over agan-it was not whether she
loved him, but whether she could share his
destiny, be his wife. She grew pale lit
tie before she answered, but her reply
when it came was firmly spoken
''No."
Howard Revere turned and looked at
her moment-looked into her eyes and
at her face, whose language was as firm as
her tone had been. He dil not expostu-
late her or entreat her 1t would not have
been like him He only bowed.
"Will you dance 2" said he, rising g mo-
ment after, as new set was forming. She
put cold hand in his, anl went again
among the dancers.
Miss Darricott had cousill---a year old
er, a little less beautiful, but with a keen
insight into men and things. She Was an
orphan, living with the family Of her Uncle
Dafricott almost As a daughter. That night