The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1865-12-28


tiently, :. You will drive me crazy
A terrible misfortune. surely, she
q said. with . laugh. throwing down her
2 work and stepping through the low win
dow upon the lawn. Now, Will. Twill
tell YOU what will do if you will prom
ise never to plague me again about this
Il will promise anything if you will
only give an honest answer, ! said
eagerly.
: well, then, if you catch me before
reach the elm tree. will give you can
did answer, upon my honor.
thumped my head against the win
dow sash, and away l went racing over
the green sward with ten times more
eagerness than / ever displayed In play
ing catch in my hoyhood days. A very
dignified proceeding. truly for staid
surgeon. All the gossips in Oskdsle
would have held up their hands In hor-
ror had they seen me, SO intent was l on
catching the flying gypsy; and catch her
l did, before she was half way to the old
elm.
Now, for tie answer" I said ea-
gerly.
''Oh but can't you wait until l get
breath drawing it in quick, sPasmodic
Jerks, like some dilapidated steam en-
gine. LET me see what was it prom
ised to tell YOU
Whether you love me or not. you
provoking little wretch" l said, fairly
out Of patience
Now look here, Mr.. Will, if you
don't leave off calling me names l won't
tell you at all, though perhaps this
is love talk, is it. Well, promised you.
say p
"Of course you did; 50 don't be all
day about it,.
IF you hurry me, | cant speak al
all for it will take me some time to
think over the objects Of my love to see
! il you are among them. Let me sec
/ beginning to count her fngers--'there 5
/ Chloe. that's one: and Prince-thongh
! he hurt your arm you known--is two
7 and old Brin6le is three and Watch is
4 four-let Inc see-yes, there is-Mr.
! William Tremaine, is five.
l don't think l stopped to thank her
/ for that answer, and if my return to the
parlor was not as rapid as my exit from
it, it was certainly more dignitied- had
taken my hat and was out of the gate
before Jessie reached the house.
went home in no very enyiable state
of mind. resolving that | never would
go near her again. But by the time l
had reached my stndy my anger had
COOLED considerable, ana / sat down in
my chair and began to think OF any
plan, just as l had done hundred times
before, how / conld outwit this provok-
ing little elf. That was the question.
A letter for you, sir called out the
boy at the door.
I took the letter and tore it open. l
was too much occupied with my thoughts
to care much what it's contents were;
but the first few lines fixed my attention.
1t was from an uncle of mine--a sur
geon in a hourisising village-making
me q very advantageous offer if l would
come and take his place. This was just
the situation ! had been wanting for
years, and hailed it with delight now.
A moments reflection showed me
what WAS needed, for if she really cared
for me. my absence would make her ac
knowledge it. Il did not take me long
to make arrangements, and before night
they were all completed, and the next
morning started for the station. calling
on the way at Mr.. Hale's to bid Jessie
good bye. / could see that the little
witch did not believe one word of the
story told her,
Il hope, Mr.. Will, you won't break
your arm in the train, it would make il
so bad for you," she said with queer
smile, as l concluded.
"And you not there to cure it, l re
torted. But seriously Jessie, / am in
earnest, now. 1t is probable that shall
not see you again for years; for if l
like the place l shall remain there
She still believed it some trick, for
her eyes said plainly. "you can't cheat
me again And she said gOoo bye as
coolly as if il were only for a day. /
went down the walk. feeling, much as /
think Adam must have felt when he left
Paradise. except that his Eve went with
him, and l left mine behind.
was we'll pleased with the place, and
was not long in accepting my uncles
proposal l wrote to this effect to a
LAWYER. desiring him to dispose of nv
property at Oakdale, l knew Jessie
would hear it, and it would give her to
understand that had no intention of re-
turning; determined that if / did not
succeed this time. l would give her up
forever. though my heart gave 8 quick
throb of pain at the thought.
1t was just at twilight, of a pleasant
Septem ber day, when | reached Oakdale.
Direct to Mr.. Hale's took nv way,
saving over to myself "a l went, Now
or never' Straight up to the gravel
walk and across the broad lawn / went,
and on into the dusky parlor unannounc-
! ed. By the light, l saw Jessie sitting
on sofa, her head resting on a pillow.
i She was alone and had not hear my step.
Was she asleep A quick sob answer
ed me. That augurs well for success
i In 8 moment was kneeling beside her,
/ and raised the bowed head
j Jessie dear Jessie 2 said tender
| IL, scarcely knowing how she would re
ceive it With quick start and glad
cry of surprise, her head was plllowed
on my bosom
''Oh, am 50 glad TO see you, VIII,
They told me you would not return. and
l have been SO lonely without you
! And have been lonely, too, Jessie
darling 1 said My home anywhere
/ would always be lonely without you.-
Will you not come and share it With me 2
n l-ha L. LIT i