Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-05-30

thoughtlessly, and Polly Grace started ur.
80, fie, fie, RI" she cried, quickly, turn
ing her sketch face downward.
81 beg your pardon, Miss Grace. certain
ly meant no offence"
at is no offence, sir. Pardon me if l spoke
hastily" She would have moved away with
these words, but John detained her.
"Nliss Grace, will you allow me to see the
sketch you have been makng?'
Certainly, sir, if you wish it," she replied.
There was no hesitation in her manner; no
mock coyness. She seemed to regard John
Wilbur as an honorable man, and If it would
please him to examine the result Of her labors
she had no objections.
'The sketch is not finished, sir, as you will
perceive" she continued, as she handed it to
him; "but l think | have done enough to
show that the subject is worthy of a better
pencil than mine. There are many grand
studies about this place.
John Wilbur knew something of art, and
when he took that sketch into his hand he
knew that 1t was work of more than ordina-
ry merit. Who was this young girl that sang
and played so sweetly, and who handled the
pencil with the skill of a master? He said
something about sketches in general, and she
answered him. He spoke of the German
school, and of the Italian school; and she,
with smile, followed him with perfect free
dom of understanding. Still keeping posses
sion ofthe SKETCH he sat down upon the bench;
and presently asked her if she would not sit
down beside him. John Wilbur spoke of nlu.
sic and of poetry. He asked her if she had
ever read Schiller. She nodded in the affir-
native.
''Ah, Miss Grace, you cannot know the real
beauties OF Schiller by our TRANSACTIONS"
Polly Grace smiled and nodded, and finally
acknowledged that she had read Schiller in
the original. She had read a few of his COM
positions; but not many. She admitted his
genius and the elegance of his language, but
she doubted his morality. She liked Goethe
better. John Wilbur was astoniShed anew.
He gu ted from the "So7YOwS of Wel4her,"
and from "Faust )" and Polly followed him,
quoting in her turn such passages as pleased
her best And then she recited some rare Sc
lections in the original, to show how utterly
impossible it was to render it into English
without leaving behind much of the poets
fancy. Perhaps the young lady understood
French
0, yes She spoke French as fiuenty as
she spoke her own tongue.
''But," said John, in amazement 81 don't
understand how you have accomplished all
this"
"Why, sir" she replied, looking up with an
arch expression, ''doyou imagine that women
have no faculty Tor improvement? Are you
of those-''
Pardon me-" interrupted John. 81 did not
mean that | meant"
All see,' said Polly, as he hesitated
"Iou wonder that any one in my position
should have arrived at such stage of educa-
ton. But, sir" she added, in a lower tone
'yOu must remember that was not always
an orphan, as | am now. Once | had bright
happy home. | had father who loved me,
and whose chiefest joy was in ministering to
my wants. Excuse me, sir"
There was moisture in her deep blue eyes,
and her hand trembled as she held it out after
her sketch. John detained her no longer.
That was not the last time that John Will
bur talked with Polly Grace. On the very
next day he went into the room where she was
playing upon the piano; and he asked her if
he might stay and listen to her music. Ger
tainly he might. She played tor her own ann
usement and recreation, and if she could at
ford entertainment to others she was glad of
it.
At the end OF IL month John Wilbur had for
gotten the ponderOus tome of Zoroaster, and
the spirit of music and poetry had crept into
his soul. And-anOthcr spirit was not far
distant. In fact, that other spirit had already
possessed him. He was in love. He loved
the fair Polly, and he told her so. He made
free and frank confession, and offered her
his hand and his heart. Polly was not hy-
pocrte. She loved him in retun-loyed him
truly and fondly; and she pillowed her head
upon his bosom, and wept tears of Joy when
she told him so.
Would she be his wife?
Yes-with his fathers consent
JOHN sought his father, and put the question.
Absalom Wilbur started with establishment.
"What-marry with my chamber maid"
''But she is worthy, said John, ''and love
her.
''Never! p cried the old man, stamping his
foot.
lis this your answer?"
at is. Let me hear no more of it J"
John Wilbur drew himself up to his full
height, and turned proudly, defantly away.
His spirit was aroused and his purpose was
fixed. He sought Polly and told her that she
must be his wife. At first she refused but
this only added to his determination.
81 will not cast from me the hopes and joys
Of a lifetime" he said, as he drew the fair one
to his bosom. eff you forsake me l shall
leave this spot forever. Be mine, and will
love you; will cherish you; l will devote
my best energies to your happiness while we
both shall live"
so, if you would never regret the past-lf
you would never blame me for listening to
your persuasion-"
''Never, never, love"
And finally she consented that she would
be his wife. John Wilbur went away and got
the marriage certificate; and, on one bright,
light moonlight evening, he led Polly Grace
away from his fathers house-led her down
to the foot of the park, where a carriage was
in waiting, and when he had helped her in,
and taken a seat by her side, he took the reins
and applied the whip to the horse.
John Wilbur was clipping. He knew it
he realized it; and yet he did not feel nnhap-
Ply. The blood was coursing through his
veins as 1t had not coursed before for years;
and he felt that, for the fair being who now
chung to him for support, he could brave all
the dangers the world ever saw. AT the dis
lance of ten miles from Elmwood he reached
the dwelling Of the clergyman whom he sought
"a kind-hearted, accommodating man, who
did more marrying than all the rest of the
clergymen of that section put together. His
name was Marion.
John Wilbur soon made his business known,
aud requested that the knot might be tied with
as little delay as possible. Mr.. Marion led
them into his little parlor, where lights were
burning, and where a register was produced.
''lf you will sign your names to these de-
clarations," the clergyman said, ''we will
very soon fix you snug and fast for lite."
''Of COURSE" responded John. He saw
that it was a simple affair-a declaration that
the persons signing were of lawful age; and
Al, s II Il