Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-06-02
Seleft Story,
From Arthur's Home Magazine.
WITHOUT AN AIM.
BY MARaARErrE E. HALFoRD.

Maria Willetts stood upon the balcony of
pleasant country house, looking towards
the river, where the calm, clear water, bro
ken here and there by little rpples, glis
tened in the moonlight The moon had not
reached its full, and the light was just vivid
enough to bring out every object with a
softened halo, that touched the heart with
melancholy not wholly unpleasant The
garden trees rustled their leaves like spirit
whispers the shrubs looked like crouching
figures in the dim light, and the blossoming
plants sent out faint odor on the evening
air
The young girl leaned her arm upon the
rail, and her head upon her hand, taking IN
the still, quiet beauty at glance. The gay
world with all its pleasures seemed to fade
into nothingness, and the earth, the beauti-
full earth which God had made, to bring her
heart into communion with Him, and ele
vate it to contemplate the beauties of that
world, which it hath not entered into the
heart of man to conceive.
To say that she was weary of the world
would hardly be truthful, yet it seemed very
unsatisfactory tonight The sound of hap
py voices came up from the rooms below,
strain of melody or the gleeful laugh of some
JOYOuS uGdIl.r- lOuI Aldlld -AdS Upb ilclGlliiiE
it was doubtful if she heard them There
were voices nearer, on the long piazza below
and with scarce a consciousness of what she
was doing, she was listening to every
word.
1t was a small party, come out from the
city to spend the evening at Mr.. Willett's
summer house. Maria had Deen doing the
honors, and, coming to her room a moment
bofo,.o baJ cfo,,,,a] orrf lOncr MIN,
dow at the end of the hall
''This is agrand old place, was the first
remark that reached her ear. Il believe /
would try hand at winning the girl, if only
for the pleasure of coming down from the
city, after day Of brisk business.
''Oh, yes; any one could see, with half an
eye, it was the money you were after,
chimed in a second voice, with something
of sarcastic ring to the tones.
''Well, yes, it is quite desirable append
age, must admit, but the girl is not bad
on her own account She is pretty, accom-
plished, fashionable, and can head an estab-
lishment in style, provided it is a stylish es-
tabhshment to begin with, and mine cannot
be at the present state of my finances, I'M
less | have little help; so, as things are, it
is my wisest course. Don't you think so,
Hal ~ aa
sand the little blue-eyed Fanny?n
'Hushl don't name her The best | can
do is to forget her
The young man gave quick hollow laugh
that showed his heart was not IN it.
'But why are you so silent Dehny2 |
thought. while ago, you were casting rath-
er anxious glanees IN the way of Miss Maria
yourself | should Judge, by your manner
Of living, a rich wife would not be out of
the way. Your coat is getting rusty, boy.
Come, | will give you chance to compete
with me for Miss Willett's hand 7
The young girl leaned forward eagerly to
catch the answer Would it be heartless,
like the rest2 She could not see the spasm
of pain that crossed the young mans face,
but she heard a hasty movement Of the
chair upon which he had been sitting, and
the quick, halfindignant tones of his re
Ply
gentlemanly to accept Mr. Willetts invita-
ton to his house, and then make his daugh-
ter the subject of rude Jest and sarcasm.
Do hear the man. was the quick reply.
i firmly believe he is in love with the girl.
Come, boy, own up-have your aspirations
turned that way? because, if so, | might
just as well step aside
A scornful laugh, that sent the blood tin
Cling into Maria $ cheeks, followed this rude
speech, whose tones betrayed more than the
words. @
Carlton Hughes, i have not merited this
insult III am beneath you in point Of
wealth, thank high heaven, it is the onlyre-
spect. Our business concerns are equal and
If choose to deny myself, to help smooth
the declining pathway of an aged father and
mother, instead Of spending it upon cards,
and vine, and the nice little items that make
a gentleman in your eyes, / must be be-
meath YOU; that il all Nor am | one to
flaunt my love or my marriage intentions 10
the face Of every idier that chances in my