Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-06-29

parsonage of the county. My mother limited
that it was time for me to Think Of marriage.
I was not very likely to be forgotful Of it
when mammals smiled upon me so sweetly
and 80 adroitlY told me of the excellent traits
possessed by their daughtersj nor while those
daughters were SO willing to dance and firt
with me, SO ready to wear the colors fancied
and to follow the pursuits that amused me.
And was sure not to forget it when l strove
in vain for glance from eyes that had always
looked kindly upon me, for word froin the
voice sweetest to me of any on earth.
Ever since my return from college Jennie
had avoided me- If called at her mother S
she was always busy or absent. If l saw her
in the street she passed me with acold bow, or
glided away before could reach her: she
was looking pale, and had lost the delicate
bloom and soft roundncss from her cheek
Once made her pause as sls was hurrying
past me, and tell me if she were i'll. "She
was very wcll," she said. "Had ofFcnded
herr" "Oh. no! that could never be-"
Il did hope you would have dismissed en-
entirely your low associations" said my moth
er, as we sat at dinner that day. "Oh! you
need not STARE" she continued who, great
lady as she was, could be vulgar at times,
"did not sec you talking with that little
ocamstrcss, the widow Mason's girl, this af-
ternoon, and then bowing low to farmer king IS
daughter? Pm ashamed of you, John Andrew
Malowbic"
"But I'm not ashamed of myself, mother.
Jcnnei Mason is the prettiest, most lovable
girl in the county, and the most perfect lady.
and Minnie King has been a friend and ally
Of mine since the days when We went bird
nesting together" ..rl... .~ .n...
"Oh, she's of no accountl But the seatns-
tress, the girl who made tho very shirts you
are wearing! Thank Heaven! l gave her q
piece of my mind on the subject Of her bold
ness and presumption when she was here last
and | think she will not be inclined to play
of her ars on you very soon."
"Mothcr is it possible? Havo you spoken
to Jennie in that manner" ....s..
] did not wait for Icply. All. my soul
vas on fire. Anger, Indignation, sorrow,
love, were warning within me. did not want
to forget that the enemy who had dono this
was my mother, and rushed from tho room
to bury my grief in silence. a.f
For two hours paced the ground with rapid
stridrs. Out of the chaos Of my thoughts,
but one rose with form clearly dofned-the
thought of my lifelong love for Jennie. 1t
seemed hopeless now. Gentle, sensitive, re-
fined, sic could never forgive the wrong she
had received. could not ask nor expect 1t.
And yet. how could 1 give her up? Sudden
ly it occurred to me that she had said that
she was not offended at mo. I might then
venture to ask her to forget the insult she had
received-to assure her how differently cs-
tlmated hcr-to let her know how unchang-
ing was the respect, the reverend 1 felt for
her. Acting upon thes thought soon fotnd
myself hurryihg along Tie Village street; and
entering tho window Mason's gate.
There was no one within. I lifted tic latch
and entered the little parlor-so poor. bnt in-
stinct with the air of refinement that charac-
terized everything that Jennie touched. Isat
down upon tic low couch by tic frcsidc to wait
for Jennie. was weary, exhausted by eino-
lion, torpid with the chill air ofthc night and
while I waited fell asleep.
! dreamed; aud MY dretrn was Of Jennie! 1
thought she was mine-my bride--that she
sat beside me and leaned her fair head upoh
my brcast-that We spoke together of tile
happy future that lay before us. Thch, std
deity, she was separated from me: l sought
her through half the world; near, yet never
approaching her, parted by somo vague but
insurmountabic barrier. In my trouble l
cried aloud, and walled my despair to the
winds and tho Implying heavens. called
on all the powers of earth and air for aid-and
then deep slumber fell upon nc.
Still sleeping, an incf1able, joyous peace po-
sseosed inc. 1 seemed to feel an invisible
prctence that filled me with bliss. l raised
my eyes and Jennie stood before me. She
looked at me with mournful, loving glances,
and when 1 opened my arms she fell upon
my breast, and felt her lips meet mino in a
long, long kiss. ~.
i was awake! sprang up! A faint rustic
in the Depths of the mellow gloom fell upon
my ear; the door shut with the softest click of
the latch: but my hand was on it ere the sound
ceased, There was dark figure, in tho little
entry, that palpitatcd and shivered as clasp
cd it in my arms. Soon I had it there i'll the
ruddy circle of the freight. It was Jennie,
and was saying ..........: -. :.
"Jonnic, love you-1oVc yoa with all my
whvle heart and strength If you love Inc,
no power on earth shall part US. Hyou love
me, Jennie, and will be tTinc. give ME as 4
token THAT which think you gave me but
now, when drought me sleeping"
Oh, the red bldshes on Jenhie's face? Oh.
,to s,rocf Eoft Of ,Jcifnfe's pure. frank ewes,