The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-07-01

felt anything but comfortable indeed
the tears came constantly to my eyes, and
though [ tried as we'll as | could to keep
them down. they conquered me at last,
and sinking down in my chair, | gave up
and had good hearty cry | felt little
better after that, and tried to persuade
myself, in my own mind, that [ had done
just the best thing I could DO for the in.
surance Of Johns aud my own happiness.
But the worst was yet to come.
The next Sabbath John attended Cous-
in Fannie to church This was such a
new and strange order of things that it
set the whole congregation to staring
Cranston could not sleep under anything
SO incomprehensible,a and for that Sabbath,
at least, good Parson Green preached to
wakeful set of hearers But they could
only conjecture as to the cause Of the
change, and conjecture they did without
leaving but little time for any other men
tai speculation. Some were ready to de-
clare that Cousin Fannie had supplanted
me in Johns affection. and that | was
breaking my heart in a secret kind of
way about it !; others said that the fault
rested with NE, and that | was looking in
another and higher direction for lover
But had the truth, and most sacredIy
did | guard it. 1t grew to be very
/ plain truth before the summer was gone
As time wore away. and | saw plainly in
to the depths of my heart, | knew that
for a childish, girlsh whim, I had put the
happiness of lifetime away from me.
! But | could only wear brave face, and
keep my secret away from the prying, Gu
rious gaze of those who were searching
! for It,
| did not often meet John, and but
twice during that summer were We thrown
iato each others company for a sufficient
/ leugth Of time to exchange dozen words
Once we met at a picnic. From the mo-
ment that | stepped upon the grounds |
knew ne was intending to speak to me-
Perhaps | knew it by the way he watched
me as | went from place to place When
he came to my side, it seemed that the
whole party hushed voice, heart and soul
to listen to US He smiled at this, and
commenced talking in pleasant, gossipy
way about the weather, appearing not to
notice my flushed face and slightly dis.
turbed manner.
Are you enjoying the best of health,
this summer :" he asked at length, with
I.thought, faint touch of mischief in
his face.
The very best of health, Mr.. Blaiklie,"
| answsred, curling my lip. "Perhaps
you have been informed to the contrary.
however" | continued, more in answer to
his smile than aught else. "Cranston
gossIPs, have, believe, given me the
credit of bearing up under settled heart
disease"
They are inferior judges, Bessie. Do
not class me among them"
Il never have" | answered, dryly
mo, | suppose not" be said, Smiling
again, This Is beautiful grove -
Very | answerep, feeling that it
was my turn to smile now.
Have you noticed the arrangement
made for dancers p
shook my head.
Come this way, then, if you please"
He offered me his arm, which | took
without thinking to thank him. For
little moment | forgot that the right of
claiming his attention was not mine. 1t
seemed so like old times to be walking BY
his side, watching his feet and listening
to the tones of his voice. Before | could
help it, | found myself sighing long and
deeply. If John noticed it he was very
torbearing, for by look or word he did not
reply to it; but | thought the silence
was little too long for al ordinary one,
and so l made bold push to break it
Again [ forgot myself
"What nice place this is .'' I SAID
I"Do you remember, Johu, how crazy |
used to be about dancing? My father
used to say if my heart would always keep
as light as my feet, life would go easily
with me-"
"Yes, yes, I remember" he replied, L
thought little sadly. "Will you dance
with me to-day
20, yes, certainly -
l was glad to have him ask me that
Of all persons in the world, best loved
to dance with him. | had told him so
hundreds of times, too, so that he knew
we'll enough what my smile meant. We
danced together so many times that day,
that the Cranstcn people-or at least all
of them that attended the picnic-grew
blg-eyed with wonder. Noticing how
close they watched US, John said, as be
led me to my seat for the last time:
1--WE are saving our good townsfolk
from a great deal of sin, Bessie; because
while they are speculating about such in-
nocent sort Of people as you and l, they