The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-08-04

one to love us; but | had never, until
the day | met Miss Dudley, seen the
woman that | thought | could love-
And now-wcll, Bob didn't know of
course. Miss Dudley always stood upon
her dignity. Bob might have thought
that he was acquainted with her, but |
felt that he wasn't.
Determined to win this woman, not
only her hand but her heart of course,
L became as attentive to her as ever lover
was to his mistress. And she was very
gracious to me in return. [ tried to
think that some acts of hers, some cx-
preston of her face or some peculiar
tone Of her voice, indicated dawning
OF the tender passion in her bosom, and
at last felt sure that she-ye5, was
positive that the majestic Miss Dudley
really loved me.
Being now convinced Of that, nothing
remained for me TO do but propose in
the ordinary fashion.
l met Miss Dudley in the garden that
evening. | drew her arm through
mine, and we walked on. 1t seemed to
me that thousands of little Cupids were
lowering over our heads; the moon
coming up behind the trees I took to be
the torch of Hymen, and the garden of
Mr.. Wheeler seemed like some enchant-
ed ground.
We took seats upon a rustic bench at
the farther end of the garden. | held
her little hand in mine. Now was the
time.
"Miss. Dudley" began, my voice
choking with strange emotions, "you
cannot but have scen-you must have
felt that / loved you"
Hooked up for encouragement, but
she was looking away from me. Her
hand laid passively in mine, not Il
tremor ran through her frame. Her
face, to all appearance, was as calm as
Il Summers morning.
"Minnic, darling, | love you. Will
you be my wife? ?"
"Yes," she replied calmly, turning
toward me.
] drew her toward my bosom. and
pressed nunbcrloss kisses upon brow,
cheek, and lip.
was satisfied. Still water runs deep,
they say, and believed it then. | i'm
agincd that her feelings were too deep
for words.
Before we left the garden that night
we had arranged everything in regard
to our wedding, which was to take
place in September, mt the house Of Miss
Dudlcy's sister, in Greenfield. | was to
return to New York the next day to
make preparations for the great event
of my life.
"Good night, Minnie, dear" said,
kissing her, rs we parted at the hall
door.
Bob was in his own room. went up
and told him Of my success. "Wish
me JOY, Bob"
bah. | could have done that a
month ago. knew how it would turn
out. But | say, Frank, did she tell you
that she loved you ?' and Bob took his
cigar from his mouth and smiled rather
.saucily, | thought.
| didn't reply. You perceive that l
didn't consider that that was any of his
business. Besides, too, when thought
of it, | remembered that she had never
told me anything Of the kind. She had
wife; but n to the lOvc--why, | had
settled that question in my mind before
had made the proposal, and l wasn't
going to let it trouble me now.
The next day was in New York. |
whispered to Virgins that | was soon
to leap into the horrible abyss Of matri-
mony. Wiggins told Brown, and Brown
told Miss Grittlcwell, and she told all
her female acquaintanccs, and they told
all their friends, and | found in less
than twenty-four hours after had told
Wiggins of the proposed wedding to
take place in Greenfield, everybody in
New York knew it.
The next day, when | met the Misses
lizllebob in thcirc0rriage ON Broadway,
they hardly noticed me. They bowed
stitlly. You see had been somewhat at
tcntivc to the young Miss I'iZZlcbob,
though | had never entertained serious
thoughts concerning the fair creature.
But now approach the serious part
of my story. | would much rather pass
over this matter in silence, but rs | sat
down with the determination to tell the
whole story Of my courtship, keeping
nothing back, must push through.
1t was September. was on my way
to Greenfield. 1t was the happicst day
ofmy life, think. | had written to
Minnie that | should be there ON the
third, but instead, was there on the
second. At the depot, Of course, there
was no one to meet me. ! called Il car
riagc, and told the driver to set me
down at the house of George summers,
my Minnic's sisters husband.
1t was a small cottage house, painted
white, with green blinds. 1t was situa-
ted some distance back from the street,
\ brick walk, upon either side ofwhich
was Il lloWer-bed, led from the gate up
to the front door.
hurried to the door and rang the bell.
There was no answer, and 50 | rang
again. Then | heard footsteps, and at
last Il key ratified in the lock, and then
the door opened.
1t was my Minnie, bless her heart! |
seized her hand, and drew her toward
me. She shricked, and then tried to
! draw herself nNynV