North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-07-19

but bowed my head and waited.
"Do you believe, brother Doue, that Rose
Olmstead would make a good clergyman's
wife 2"
That was the question. My cheeks flush
ed scarlet. My heart beat loudly, but turn
ed toward Benjamin and looked him full in
the face.
Il know she would make good wife for
any man who.mght be fortunate enough to
win her love-" answered.
"Love - Benjamin Bitterworth elevated
his eyebrows. "We were not speaking of
love, ] believe" be said, ''out of fitness. We
should put the vanitles of this carnal world
out OF the question when we look for wives,
brother dove"
81 believe that she would be admirably
fitted for the position" he SAID, "and [ in
tend to act upon the belief. I have been re-
solved to marry for several years, and Dea-
con Olmstead's daughter appears to have
excellent qualities-I shall offer her my
hand"
perhaps she will not accept"
| said it angri!y. My voice was not un-
der my control at that moment. Benjamin
Bitterwnrth understood me- L saw that in
his cold, black eye. But he answered with
out enUtIon-
"Her father would decide that, | think
He IS man Of judgment, and she is an ODE
dlent daughter"
perhaps she might choose for herself"
answered.
Perhaps" said Benjamin, "but / think
she has been brought up well,''
''You may have rivals" L continued.
''lt is not consistent with my cloth to be
any mans rival" replied Benjamin. '-Whar
| do, brother Dove, do from a sense of
dury.,'
We said no more, but went on toward the
stage, he treading softly along the road on
the tips of his polished boots, his thin lips
sauctlmonou>ly pressed together, his black
gloved hands folded behind his back, while |
warm and angry, put strong restraint up
myself to walk beside him decorlousy
After this day We met only under Deacon
Olmstead's roof, but we met there often. |
Went thither to see Rose. | made no dis
guise Of the fact. He, BeIjamin Bitterworth
sal aloof. talking to her father, as q general
hing. and then only, as II seemed, to prove
his power, In whatever he did in this way,
he was aided and abetted by old Deacon
O'mstead. | could see that plainly. But
saw also that Rose began to like me very
much. In that trusted, for, though stern
parent, Deacon Olmstead seemed 10 love his
daughter Summer faded, and the roses in
my darling's garden died with it. At last
spoke to her saying something like this {:
81 love you, Rose-I think | love you
more than man ever loyen woman. Can you
love me well enough to be my wife ~
And the golden curls sank low upon my
shoulder, and l gathered my darling up
against my heart. We were in the garden
then, beside great elm, older than the old
house itself, and sheltered by it, we stood
my breast; and we saw nothing save each
others faces, and heard nothing save each
others voices and | took the little hand in
mine, and slipped tiny ring upJn the taper
ingel-one that had been my mothers be-
trothal ring, and which upon her death bed
she had given me, bidding me to give it to
the girl lovedupon the day she promised to
marry me.
And so the sun went down, and the elm,
trees shadow lay long and deep across the
path, and mingled with it, fell another shad.
ow-that of Rose Olmstead's father. He
came upon us suddenly, and found US stand
ing together. Rose would have shrunk
from me but would not let her go.
"She has promised 30 be my wife, SIR"
said, Give US your blessing. You will give
her to me will you not? love her very
dearly"
The deacon's face was like stone.
could not read its import; but he drew his
daughter toward him and stood between us
''You have done wrong, Mr.. Dove," he
said, very wrong. She is young, and has
but littIe judgment. will speak to hel
alone, l should have spoken to her before
bat l thought one of your profession could
be trusted. Good evening. Come Rose
And he passed ito the house, taking hei
with him and as l left the garden, l saw
Benjamin Bitterworlh, with his stately steps
and folded hands, making his way along tn,
road.
The next day boy came to my study
with note. 1t was from Deacon Omstead
| aDd summoned me to his dwelling. / wen,
at once, and III the parlor found Rose, pal
as lilly, sitting bssIde her father. She
looked at me as came in, for one moment
and then turned her face aside, and hid il
with her hands. Her father spoke to her.