Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-12-22
..Me ask her {" and tho cold chills ran
through me like veins Of ice Jack, dare
not. for my life !"

through me like veins OF ice Jack, 1 dare
not. for my life"
Jack burst into laugh.
well. 1 can't give any better advice"
said be. "only remember. my boy. " faint
heart never won fair lady"
He turned away. and left me standing in
the amber flush of the twilight. among the
crimson cluster of cinnamon roses, and tho
tall coronals of cleaning lilies. Up in the
rosy sky tho new moon hung, curved thread
o silver and one bright star bore its Ian &C Of
pearl against the radiant horizon. l looked
absently up at the fair atmospherc--down at
the blossoming garden Of flowers, thinking in
the midst Of my pcrplcxity how like ths blue
heaven was to Agnes eyes. ani marvelling
that the pink roses were so near akin to the
dainty color that came and went upon her
silk-soft check.
Besides the low French window that opened
upon the piazza floor, | saw the flow of muslin
drapery through the fragrant gloom-it WAS
where Mrs. Marclyfe vas wont to sit with
her baby. I caught the refrain Of the low.
delicious cradle song she warblcd in the tiny
sleeper's car. a bright thought struck Inc
i would take woman's wit into my council
MARY" said l. sitting down on the piazza
step. and leaning my head against the rose
wreathed pillar just opposite the window, i
wish you'd tell me what to do-I'm desper-
ntcly in love with your sister Agnes, and
don't laugh now--I haven't the courage to
tell her So"
paused an instant. and then went on |
love her better than life. No. that is not say
ing enough, would die to make her happy.
| Oh, Mary, can't you give me.n word Of en-
couragcment dare not tell her my love,
because my heart sinks 80 in dread from the
one little word, No! VIII she speak it, do
you thiuk?'
| There was no answer still
Mary. will she break my heart"
spoke with trembling, accents, fresh from
the deepest recesses Of my soul-the very air
seemed to sob around me us l ceased. One
instant Of silence. in the soft. pulsng fra
granco Of the midsummer twilight, and then
there was luttcring of light. azure robes,
the fall of a fairy footstep. Ere could look
up. soft white arm, cleaning with clasp
of blood-red coral bracelet. Was around my
ncck-a shower Of brown curls nestled on my
breast
"She will not-shc never will
The voice was that of Agnes Day; I held
the coy, coquet,ish trembler to my heart
Life has been brimming with sweets ever
sincc-many a golden moment has paused to
sprinkle its chalicc of joy around my footsteP,
IS it passed into the world of the bygone but.
in oil my existence. there never came second
time like that.
had been pleading to Agnes herself; and
Mary stood smiling in the background, the
vcriest spice of frogucry cleaning in her hazel
eyes. through dim quivcr Of joyous tears.
80 I'm really to have bro,hcrin-law "
she said, putting aside the roses and coming
forward just as the wicket fastening clicked
under Jacks hand, and the fiery spark Of his
cigar flashed through the purple cleaning,
slowly travelling up the garden walk.
Halo" said he. pausing abruptly as
Agnes tried vainly to escape from my detain-
ing arm. .Oh, | see now Well-upon-
my-word for such bashful young gentle
mnn you've been remarkably expeditions Ac
ccpt Of my congratulations. Aggie-diito
Arthur"