The weekly union record., 1865-01-14
A Twilight Wooing.

will inevitably be abbreviated By 'oh. my wife
will be anxious. If I'm no; al home by eight
O'Clock" To tell him about the pretty girl
with the pink bonnet that you met in the stage
Z yesterday, and be generally confidential. and
then hDd your tongue suddenly palsed by the
conviction that he will tell his VIE every word
you have been saying. There's no use talking
about the thlng-iis actually indeScribablel
/ Do you suppose didn'I ieel jealous when
Jack Marclyfe got married, Do you suppose
the green-eyed monster didn't inspire me with
sill sorts of unamiable feelings toward the little
/ brown-eyed beauty who had cut me out So
completely II took me some time 10 reconcile
me 10 the new state Of things. But when |
found out that she didn't object to my sitting
on the balcony and speaking with Jack-nay,
that she actually lighted our cigars for US, and
{ then brought ber little foo,-stool and sat down
beside us-that she laughed Ike peal Of
merry bells at our bachelor chances and mis-
/ haps-and that she Liked to have me come to
dinner on Sundays, then | thought Jacks wife
wasn't so bad an institution, after all. And
one day, when she brought ont her tiny wicker
work basket and stood on tip-toe TO sew the
/ loose button upon my coat, capitulated IN
good earnest.
Jack" said |. "your wife is-well, not
exactly an angel, for don't believe in angels
about the bouse-bu the sweetest little woman
| ever set my eyes upon. You won't be
Jealous old fellow -
"Jealous-no,' said Jack, stretching his
neck so as TO look after the light, disappearing
/ figure. But III tell You what, Arthur-you
ought to see Nary's sister"
! Sure enough, about two weeks aferward. as
| came in at the sweet briar shadoHed gate.
and paused 10 look at the crimson Glove pinks
just opening their fringed petals, the silver
tones of another voice sounded 10 the low-eaved
piazza, aud. almost before | knew it. Jack
Marcly tfes arm was through mine. and he was
/ Introducing me to a duplicate edition of his
wife-a scarlet-lipped arch eyed girl in white
muslin, with coral bracelet on her arm.
For that moment was gone-l didn't know
whether sat in Jacks velvet easy-chair or on
/ the top of the rail fence: SAID No thank
YOU when Mrs. Jack asked me how was
| stirred my cup Of chocolate with pen knife
and tried to put the table cloth into my pocket,
/ instead of handkerchief finally disgraced
myself irrevocably by putting the match box
into the cradle, and deposting the baby on the
marble mantle piece.
| Good gracious, Mr.. Arden - exclaimed
/ Marclyfe, what is the matter?'
Il believe-l think-I've got cold in my
head y faltered |, looking at the time straight
at Agnes, who was playing with her coral
bracelet. and pretending not to laugh.
Jack, said |, that evening. as he went ont
to the gate with me. there's no use trying TO
mince matters--if | can't win Miss Agnes,
shall take arsenic
Jack squeezed my hand; he had "been
through the mill" himself
"Do you think she cares for me, Jack p |
asked, plaintively. about month afterward.
Il declare, honestly. I've the greatest mind in
the world to jump off the pier, or hang myself
peaceably. Now, what does she mean By
flirting with that red whiskered Carew? oh.
Jack, do be merciful-tell me what you really
think
Poor Marclyf1c. 1t was about the thiriieth
time he had been asked the same question.
why, how can | tell. Arthur? You might
as we'll ask me to read the Hindoo alphabet as
10 decipher the mysteries of a womans 5 heart.
/ Why don't you ask her yourself" ?"
hMe ask herr and the cold chils ran
through me like veins of ice. Jack, l dare
not. for my life ~
/ Jack burst into laugh.
"Well, cant give any better advice said
he, "only remember, by boy, faint heart never
won fair lady"
He turned away, and left me standing in the
amber flush of the twilight, among the crimson
clusters Of cinnamon roses, and the tall coronals
of cleaning lilies. Up in the rosy sky, the
new moon hung, curved thread of silver, and
one bright star bore its lance Of pearl against
the radiant horizon. | looked absently up to
4 the fair atmosphere at the blossoming
garden of flowers. thinking in the midst of my
] bo 10
/ Agnes eyes, and marvelling that the pink roses
were so near akin TO the dainty color that
came and went upon her silk soft cheek.
! Beside the low French window that opened
upon the piazza door, saw the flow of muslin
drapery through the fragrant goOm-it was
where Mrs Marclyfie was wont to sit with her
/ baby | caught the refrain of the low, delicious
cradle song she warbled in the tiny sleeper's
ear A bright thought struck mel would
take womaas wit into my counsel.
Mary" said l. sitting down on the piazza
step, aud leaning my head against the rose
wreathed pillar just opposite the window, Il
wish YOU d tell me what to dol IN desperately
/ in love with your sister Agnes. aud-don't
laugh, now-I haven't the courage to tell her
So" | paused an instant, and then went on,
81 love her better than life No that is not
saving enough, | would die 10 make her happy.
Oh, Mary, can't you give me word of encour
agement? | dare not tell her my love, because
my heart sinks so in dread from the one little
word No" Will she speak it, DO you think?'
There was 10 answer still
MARY, viii she break my bear,?'
spoke with trembling accents, fresh from
the deepest recesses of my soul-the very air
seemed to sob around me as ceased. One
instant of silence in the soft pulsiDg fragrance
of the midsummer twilight, and then there was
fiuttering of light, azure robes, the fall Of
fairy footstep. Ere ! could look up, soft
white arm, cleaning with the clasp Of blood
red coral bracelet was around my neck-a
shower of brown curls nestled on my breast.
She will not-she never will"
The voice was that of Agnes Day; | held
the coy, coquettish trembler to my heart.
Life has been brimming with sweets ever
sincc-many golden moment has paused to
sprinkle its chace of Joy around my footsteps,
as it passed into the world of the bygone; but
in all nv existence there Deyer came second