Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-01-30

BY LUCY \. RANDALL (HELEs FORREST GRAVES

Mlner, AZ Nc $1,000 VIVID IOl0eO afInS, DIS Blk
feet, one inch" of altitude calmly drawn up,
t',wering high above Matte Arnott's curly !!
head.
The usual programme Of wooing seemed to
be reversed, in this individual instance, for
Matte was blushing and embarrassed, twist
ing her blue sash round and round, while
Herbert was provokingly cool and satirical,
even though he had just listened to the fatal
"No." - H'.N
II am SO young, Herbert" faltored the girl;
"onlv sixteen you know and hardly know
my own mind yet; and 1t is ungenerous Of
you to press me so urgently; and"
"Now Matte this won't do" said the
young soldier, resolutely, OBTAINING her by
one firm hand ANSWER me plainly, yes or
no." at -- +'
mo, them" pouted Matte, her blue eyes
flashing aud her cheeks rosy with fame.
Very well, just as you please, Miss Mat,
said Herbert, complacently. "On the whole
I am much obliged to you for pronouncing
that monosylable SO decidedly. You're very
pretty, but don't think you'd suit me
exactly. We should get tired of one another
1--we have been brought up together you
know, and sameness is always tedious. You
are lovely blonde, but think should pre-
fer a brunette; and, besides l can 60 off
peaceably to the war now, without any encum-
berance in the shape of an engagement The
medicine was hard to take, but I've no doubt
it will do me good. Adieu, Matte and l
wish you good husband"
And off walked Mr.. Herbert, whistling
most cavalierly, and looking proyokingly
handsome IN his cool disdain. '.a
Matte Arnott did not know what to make
of the young soldiers self possession. She
never had q real lover before, but she was
quite sure they never acted in this manner
after rejection. Some how 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 NO"
Besides, 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 all 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 herself in,
and cried passionstely. ~ a3As
dear me, Martha, how red your eyes are,"
said Mrs. Arnott, as the girl took her place at
the bountiful spread tea-tsble. What in
the name Of common sense ais you p
sits settin' up late O. nights readin' them
story papers," growled Squire Arnott. "She'll
be blind before she's twenty five years old, at
this rate, or have to wear specs-and gal in
specs don't have half the chance to catch
btau! Hello what's the matter with the
child p 10 -.aasa
For Matte had burst into tears again, and
left the table. All, it was sore little heart
that beat underneath Matte Arnott's black
velvet, Spanish waist am
II she could have only 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. Slowly the months rolled
by, and Matte Arnott grew quister and moro
thoughtful every day. The fair forehead was
not less fair for the shade of sweet gravity on
its smooth expanse-the blue eyes shone
luminously through the dropping lashes.
Matte 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 f Id
for steadfast gallan,ry and noble heroism.
"You will come tonight won't you, Matte?
Lieut.. Miller has promised to honor me---pos-
itively his first appearance 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
had to meet him, the first sharp pang might
as well he undergone now as ever. But .,
that Kate Marsland should have known first
of his return that Hates house should be the
first at which he called. ..- ...i
How carefully she arranged the folds of her
white muslin dress that evening---how long
she was adjusting the spray of ivy leaves in
and out of her golden curls. And even then
she was dissatisfied with the pretty image
reflected back from tho mirror. But Matte
was prejudiced judge---she had never looked
more lovely in all the seventeen years of her
life. ',..s'- .....r.t.
As she entered Kate Marsland's crowded
parlors, the first upon whom her eyes fell was
Herbert Miller, tall and handsome as ever in
his blue and gold uniform. He was talking
with spirit and animation, the center of a
knot OF young people he did not even see her!
All! she might have expected it-and Matte
leaned tearfuIly against the window, mechan
ically playing with her little pink fan.
she did not see the hutter of silken dresses
that surged by her in the dance she did not
hear the merry strains of the music; her
thoughts were far otherwise inclined.
All OF sudden hand was laid lightly
upon hers, and she looked up with nervous
start into the brown spark ing depths of Her
bert Miller's eyes.
s'Mattie were you not going to speak to
me?" f+- -.-., ...g
"I-I was afraid, Herbert
Those tell-tale blue eyes--they betrayed in
have given worlds uncounted to keep within
her own bosom. Herbert Miller was not
versed in eye language, yet he read Matties
glance instantaneously.
! "You have not forgotten me, then, Matter"
Forgotten you, Herbert ~ s
She would have said more, but her voice
(altered and hesitated !
He was silent an instant, then spoke in a
low tone. . t
"Do you remember our last interview Mat
ie Do you remember that said thanked
you for the rejection of my suit2 Matte,
have changed my mind since them"
Matte turned scarlet and pale, looked up
and glanced down, and murmured, half
smiling, half crying .t ar
$50 have I, Herbert"
lie took both the trembling hands in his
with glad, bright face. M W
Matte, my hearts dearest treasure, I lay
ny love at your feet a second time. Will you
accept it now %
He needed no answer except what he read
n her blushing check and happy eyes--they
both said "Yes,' and said it pretty emphat-
cally, too. r Iona .rlr., d.
+. ""And what made you think 1 was worth
wo courtships, Herbert?' She added long,
> ca-al f3aH ~ 80 Si4@A1fG3
s'Mattie.' said be quietly" when our regi.
nent charged at An.ictam we were repulsed