Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1865-01-26

some merry tune 20 aerSeiI Rhen l
entered. She was looking prettier
than ever. I thoughk and I found
it terrible hard work 10 talk on con-
monpIace subjects, when my mind
was SO full of the one 20 important
to me. ..
At last 1 broke IN upon some Of
her careless nonsens wfth-"why
in the world, Jessie, tdoa't you say
whether you love melor not9 What
is the use in keeping fellow In sus,
pense forever? ! beHsye you do-in
fact, I know you d.
Here was again uakine . sim
pleton of myself ! 4 might have
known she never would have told me
after that, but did not understand
woman kind as well then, as I have
done since.
"Ohl you know, then, do youf'
she SAID, coolIy, with merry twin
kle in her eve
Then, of course, there is no need
of nv telling you.
mo, l did no. mean it, JESSIE" ]
said penitently. "But do you love
me? Will you answer me, yes oil
nor
Yes or no." she answered, de
murely.
20 Jessie Hale" I exclaimed, i'm.
patiently, 'you will drive me crazy"
"a terrible misfortune, surely
she said, with laugh, throwing
down her work and stepping througr
the low window upon the lawn. snow
Will, will tell you what l will dc
il you will promise never plague me
again abont this"
Il will promise anything if you
will only give an honest answer" ]
said eagerly.
"Well, then, if you can catch me
before I reach the elm tree, / will
give you candid answer. upon my
honor" rI
thumped my head against the
window sash. and away / went ra.
cling over the green sward with ten
times more eagerness than / ever
displayed in playing catch in nv
boyhood days. A very dignified pro
ceeding truly, for a staid surgeon.
All the gossips in 0akdale would
have held up their hands in pious
horror had they seen me then; hut ]
did not care if half the world saw
me, so intent was / on catching thai
flying gypsy; and catch herd did, be-
fore she was half way to the old elm.
"Now for the answer" l said
eagerly.
"Oh! but can't You wait until gel
BREATH" drawing il in quick spas
modic jerks, like some dilapidated
old steam engine. Let me see; wha
was it 1 promised to tell youf"
Whether you love me or not, you
provoking little wretch" / said, fair
ly out of patience.
Now look here, Mr.. Will; if yor
don't leave off calling me names
won't tell you at all; though perhaps
this is love talk is it? Well. 1 prom
ised, you say?"
"Of course you did so don't be al
day about it." ..-.
If you hurry me can't speak al
all; for Ii will take ne some time tc
think over the objecs of my love tc
see if you are anon. them. Let me
see"-beginning to count her fingers
there's Chloe. that's one; and Prince
though he hurt youi arm, you know
is two; and old Briidle is three; and
Watch Is four-letne see-yes there
is-Mr. William 1remaine is fve.'i
| / don't think stopped to thank
her for that answer and if my return
to the parlor was rot as rapid as my
exit from it, it vas certainly far
more dignifed. Ihad taken my hal
and WIS out of the gate before Jes-
sic reached the h,use.
| l went home il no very enviable
state of mind, resolving that would
never go near her again But by
the time I reached my study my an
ger had cooled considerably, and /
sat down in my am chrir and tegan
to think of any Ian just as 1 had
done hundred times before, how
l could out wit ms provoking little
eff Have her I would; but how2
That was the question.
"A letter for you, SIR" called out
the boy at thedoor.
| took the Letter and tore it open.
1 was too mud occupied with my
thoughts to care much what its con
tents were; bit the first few lines
fixed my attention. It was from al
uncle of mipe-a surgeon in a four
ishing village making me o very
advantageousffer If / would come
and take his face This was Just
the situation had been wanting for
years, and / allied it with delight
now. r ~ saB s,d yi.5sgi99 q 4
moment reflection. showed me
what was NEEDED, for II she really
cared for me, ny absence would make
her willing to cknowisdg geit- ItdidI
not take long,o make arrangements,
and before ntht they we're al COM
pleted; and tie next morning / start |
ed for the ation, calling st Mrs.
Hale's On thtwsy, TO bid Jessie good !
bye. I couI see the littls witch did
not believe ae word Of the story I
told her. esia. ala
~ rope, Ir. VIII. you won't break
your arm inShe train; 1t would make !
it so bad foEou," she said, with a /
queer smile as / concluded.