Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-12-03

the aYxresolyed thatsthe matter snOuld De
decided before returned, Jessie was sit
ting by the parlor window, Justly sewing, and
humni;pg some merry tune to herself when l
entered. She was looking prettier than ever,
thought; and ] found it terrible hard work
60 talk on cemmonplace subjects, when my
mind was so full of the one so important to
me.
At last / broke in upon some of her care
less nonsense with" Why in the world, Jes-
sic, don't you say whether you love me or
not? What is the use in keeping fellow in
suspense forever !? believe you do-in
fact, know you do"
Here l was again making a simpleton of
myself l might have known she never would
have told me after that, but did not under
stand woman kind as well then, as / have
done since. - Z
"Oh! you know, then, do you ?" she said,
eoolly, with a merry twinkle in -her-eye.z
"Then, of course, there isno need of my tell
ing you"
"No, did not mean it, Jessie said PEN
emily. but. do you love Ihesi Win you
answer me, yes or no?"
"Yes or no." she answered, demurelye. = :
go Jessie Hale" exclaimed, impatiently,
you will drive me crazyl"
" A terrible misfortune, surely" she said,
with a laugh, throwing down her work and
stepping through the low window upon the
lawn. "Now Will, will tell you what / will
do if you will promise never to plague me
again about this"
81 will promise anything if you will only
give an honest answer, 1 said eagerly. AZ
"Well, then, if you can catch me before l
reach the elm tree, VIII give you candid
answer, upon my honor"
| thumped my head against the window
sash, and away l went racing over the green
sward with ten times more eagerness than /
ever displayed in playing catch in my boy
hood days. a very dignifed proceeding tru-
", for staid surgeon All the gossips in
0akdale would have held up their hands in
pious horror had they seen me then; but /
did not care If half the world saw me, so in
tent was / on catching that flying gypsy; and
catch her did, before she was half way to
the old elm
snow for the answer" said, eagerly.
!" OH but can't you wait until l get
breath {? 81" drawing il in quick, spasmodic
jerks, like some dilapidated old steam engine.
q Let me see; what was It promised to tell
your"
-" Whether you love me or not, you pfoyek-
ing little wretch !" / said, fairly out of pa
tience. g-I.4
-" Now look here, Mr.. VIII; if you don't
leave off calling me names | won't tell you at
ali though perhaps this is love talk is it !?
Will, promised, you say !"
"a of course you did; so don't be all day
about it." 49, Se# ass'
aft you hurry me l can't speak at all for
it will take me- some time to thinkoyer the
objects of my love TO see. If yousare among
them. Let me see, r--beginning to count her
fingers" there, is Chloe, that's one; and
Prince-though he hurt your arm, you know
lis two; and old Brindle is three; and
Watch is four, and-let me see-yes, there is
MIR. William Tremaine is five.
j don't think stopped to thank her for
that answer, and if my return to the parlor
was not as rapid as my exit from it, it was
certainly far more dignifed.i i had taken my
reached the house. ~ a-ri,r
= L went home in no very enviable state of
smind, resolving that would. never 20 near
her again. But by the time l reached my
study my anger had cooled considerably, and
4 sat down in my arm chair and began ito
think of any plan, just as l had done a hun
dred times before, how | could oHtwit this
provoking little eli. Have her | would but
how? That was the question.
-" A letter for you sir" called out the boy
at the door, 80
/ took the letter and tore it open. was
too much occupied with my thoughts to care
much what its contents were; but the first
few lines fixed my attention. 1t was from an
uncle of mine-a surgeon in hourishing
village-making me very advantageous of
fer if | would come and take his place. This
was Just the situation had been wanting for
years, and hailed it with delight now.
A moments reflection showed me what was
needed, for if she really cared for me, my alb
sence would make her willing to acknowledge
it. 1t did not take long to make my arrange
ments, ard before night they were all COM
pleted; and the next morning Istarted for
the station, calling at Mrs. Halls on the way,
to bid Jessie goodbye. | could see the little
witch did not believe one word of the story
| told her. n. Y q
al hope, Mr.. Will, you won't break your
arm in the train it would make it so bad for
you," she said, with queer smile, as l con-
cluded.
"And you not there to cure it" retorted
" But seriously, bessie, lam i'm earnest, now.
1t is probable shall mot seeayou- again for
years; for if like the place shall remain
there"
She still believed it some trick, for her
eyes said plainly, ssY on can't cheat me again."
And she said goodbye as coOlly as if it were
only fora day. Went down the walk, feel
ing much as | think Adam must have felt
when he. left Paradise, except THAT his Eve
went with him and / left mine behind.
81 was web pie ased with the place, and was
not long in accepting my uncle's proposal
wrote to this effect to a lawyer, desiring him
to dispose of my pfoperty-at 0akdale.
knew Jessie would hear of it, and it would
give her to understand that / had no inten-
ton of returning, determined that if 1 did not
succeed this time, l would give her up forev-
er, though my heart gave a quick throb of
pain at the thought.
IL was Just at twilight Ola pleasant Sep
TENDER day, when reached 0akdale. Direct
to Mr.. Hale's took my way, saying over to
myself as went, "Now ornever " Straight
up to the gravel walk and across the broad
lawn went, and on into the dusky parlor,
.unannouneed. By the Light, i saw Jessie sit
ting on a sofa, her head resting on pillow.
She was alone and had not heard my step
Was she asleep !? Aquick sob answered me.
That augurs well for my success. In mo-
ment / was kneeling beside her, and had
raised the bowed head. 49,
"Jessiel dear Jessie ~ said tenderly,
scarcely knowing how she would receive it..
With a quickstart and a glad cry of surprise
head was pillowed on my bosom.
"0h, an1 so glad to see you, Will They
told me you would not returns and / have
so lonely without your 2 y
&C And have been lonely, too, Jessie, dar-
ling said. "My home anywhere would al
ways be lonely without YOU. VIII you not
90 and share it with me 2" 2IQ0T
The answer was very low but / knew it