The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-11-11

returned. Jessie was sitting by the parlor
window, busily sewing, and humming some
merry tune to herself when entered. She
was looking prettier than ever, I thought !;
and found it terrible hard work to talk on
common place subjects, when my mind was
80 full of the one 40 important to me.
At last broke In upon some OF her care
less nonsense with,-"Why in the world.
Jessie. don't you say whether you love me or
mott What is the use in keeping q fellow
in suspense for ever? believe you do-in
fact. | know you do"
Here was again making simpleton OF
myself. / might have known she never
would have told me after that, but did not
understand woman kind as we'll then as |
have done since.
"Oh! you do know. then. do you? she
said coolly, with merry twinkle in her eye.
"Then OF course there is no need OF my tell
ing you" >,
penitently. "But do you love me? Will
you answer me. yes or NOT"
"Yes or no." she answered, demurely.
40 Jessie Hale" exclaimed, inpatient
ly, "you will drive me crszy!'
"a terrible misfortune. surely" she said
with u laugh. throwing down her work and
stepping through the low window upon the
lawn. "Now Will, I will tell you what ]
will do if you will promise never to plague
me again about this"
III will promise anything II you will only
give me an honest answer" | said eagerly.
"Well. then. IL you can catch me before
reach the elm tree, will give you a can
did answer, upon my honor"
thurnped my head against the window.
sash. and ava. w'nt racing over the green
sward with ten times more eagcrness than |
ever displayed in playing catch in my boy.
hood days. A very digni6ed proceeding,
truly, 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 tho world saw me 10
intent was on catching that flying gypsy;
and catch her did, before she was halt way
to tho old elm.
snow f,r the answer" said eagerly.
ooh! bur can't you wait until | get
breath? ?" drawing it in quick, spasmodc
jerks, like some dilapidated old steam On.
gine. "Let inc see what was il; what was
It promised to tell you?'
"Whcthcr you love ms or not, you pro-
voking little wyetch J" l said, fairly out OF
patience.
"Now look here, Mr.. Will; II you don't
leave of calling me names | won't tell you
at all, though perhaps that Is love talk is
it! viii, promised, you say ?"
"Of coursc you did; so don't DO oil day
about it T"
"Tf you hurry mo can't speak at all /:
for 1t will take me 80 ne time to think over
the objects of my 1--we to see II You are
among them. Let m, see."-bcginning to
count her fingers "there is Chloe, that's
one: and Princc-thongh he hurt your arm.
you KNOWS two and old Brindc is three;
and Watch is four, and-let's see-yes, there
is-Mr. William Tremaine is FIVE.
don't think | stopped to thank her for
that answer, and IL my return to the parlcr
was not as rapid MS my exit from IL. 1t was
certainly far more dignifed. had taken
nv hat and was out of tho gate before Jcs.
sic reached the house.
went home in no very enviable state OF
mind, resolving that would never go near
her again. But by the time reached my
study my anger had cooled considerably, and
sat down in my arm chair and began to
think of any plan. just as had done u hun
dred times before, how could outwit this
provoking llttlo off. Have her I would but
how? That war the question.
"a letter for you, sir, called out the boy
at the door.
I took the letter and tore it open. was
too much occupied with my thoughts to care
much what It's contents were /; but the fret
few lines fixed my attention. It was from an
uncle Of mine--a surgeon in fourishing
city--making me very advantageous offer
if | would come and take his place. This
was just the situation had been wanting
for years. and hailed it with delight now.
"Rut Jessie" I thought-"could leave
her?"
A moments reflection showed me what
was needed, for if she really cared for me my
absence would make her willing to acknowl.
edge 1t. 1t did not take long to make my
arrangements, and before night they were all
completed and the next morning started
for the station, calling at Mr.. Hale's on my
way, to bid Jessie good.by. | could see the
little witch did not believe ono word OF tho
story told her. 80.
al hope Mr.. viii, you won't break your
arm in the train It would make 1t 30 had
for you." she said with queer smile, as |
concluded.
"And YOU not there to cure it," I retort.
ed. But seriously, Jessie, / ain in earnest.
now. 1t Is probable shall notsee you again
for years for If like the place shall re.
main there" .a- U"l.
She still believed II some trick, for her eyes
said plainly. "You can't cheat mo again"
And she said good bye as coolly rs II 1t were
only for a day. went down the walk. feel.
ing much as | think Adam must have felt
when he left Paradise, except that his Eve
won't with him, and | left mine behind.
I was we'll pleased with tho place, and was
not long In accepting my uncc's proposal.
wrote to this effect to lawyer, desiring
him to dispose Of my property at OakdaIe.
I knew Jessie would hear Of it, and II would
give her to understand that had no inten-
ton of returning, determined that II did
not succeed this time, would give her up for
ever, though my heart gave q quick throb OF
pain ut the thought. -....1..I..
Il was just at twilight, Of pleasant Sep.
tember dsy when reached 0akdale. Direct
to Mr.. Hsle's took my way, saying over to
myself as went, SHOW or never!" Straight
up to tho gravel walk and across the broad
lawn went, and on into tho dusky parlor.
unannounoed. BY the light. I saw Jessie
sitting on sofa. her hoad resting on pill
low. She was alone and had not heard my
step. Was she asleep? A quick sob sn-
swercd me. That argues well Tor success;