Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-05-05
QDbllo Statesrrrarr,
THE THIRD TIME OF ASKING.


playful courtesy as | came towards her, |
and very sincerely returned her compli-
mpnt.
Vanity apart, and judging ourselves by |
the standard of each other, think | may |
say that we were very presentable pair OF
dRbutdntes as we stood there arrayed for
our first ball We were twin sisters, just
II years of age, although | was generally
distinguished as the elder, on account of
nv more ''sOber" character. Alice's gold
en- hair, violet eyes, and rich warm color,
were all reflected in my case in paler, faint
er tints. We were alike, but she was far
more brilliant than was in every respect.
She was the nOOnday and | the evening.
AS | stopped to arrange the wreaths OF
trailing ivy which lOoped up the delicate
white tulle Dress she whispered, half
laughing, half blushing, "Wilfred Ander-
son will be there, FlOry. Do you think he
will recollect me-Chat is us?" .......
"Do you think he will forget us-that is,
YOU? ?" | retOrted. "YOu have the advan-
tage of me, Ally-one more pleasure to
look forward to among the many we are
anticipating. Now, expect no old friend,
no Wiltred Anderson to turn up for my es-
pecial benefit tonight"
"Aha! we shall see, sober Flory," said
Alice, dancing about. "FOr my part,
! should not be surprised if"
"Are you ready, children ?" interrupted
my mother, approaching the door in her
rich black silk and point lace cap, looking,
as Alice protested, ''much pretter than eth
er of us;'' and in five minutes more we were
on our way to the ball. .w
NV father, though by no means one of its
wealthiest inhabitants, had long held a
! good position in his native town. There he
| had married my mother, the daughter of
! highly influential landowner, and there
| he had resided throughout an active and
energetic career, following the profession
of q physician. We, his only children, had
seen little of the world beyond the imme-
diate neighborhOod of our home; and to this
day my brightest and most enduring mem
ories are clustered around that dear, quaint
little town, with its gabled streets, over the
very shOp-windows of which grapevines
wreathed with proud luXuriance, its noble
church, and its anciently endowed gram
mar school. On the latter institution El-
doun was especially wont to plume itself;
and indeed the groups of gOwned and
trencher-capped youths lettering in the
sunny market-place, or cOngregated under
the fine old walnut trees which Overhung
the cloistered walls of the grammar school,
added not little to the respectability as
well as to the picturesque character of the
place. ',' | ..
Three years previously to the date of my
story, Wiltred Anderson had been senior
scholar at EldOun, and there had somehow
sprung up a sort OF boy and girl liking be-
tween him and my pretty little sister; for
our father, who had rare sympathy with
all school lads, and who especially regretted
having no sons of his own, would frequent
IL -, l..... Il.
fIl interest in outdoor sports accorded
with his peculiar ttrstes, home to his house,
where many an ardent discussion on ang-
ling, cricket, ETC., took place round OuI
cheerful tea-table; the doctor holding forth
like an oracle, aud his young guests drink
ing in his words as eagerly as If he haC
really been such. Wilfred Anderson was
always a special favOrite; but when he came
to bid US gOOd-by, before going to Cam
bridge, it was not my fathers hand he held
the longest, nor my fathers face he looked
at the last. The lad of Is went away, firm
ly believing himself the most sorely-tried
Of constant lovers, and Ally's bright eye,
we're clouded for at least three days attel
his departure. .H
1t has been questioned whether any o
the pleasures of our lives come up TO tht
expectations we had formed of them.
think, however, may safely say that ouI
first ball did. Everything appeared to on
enchanted eyes cOulew de rose. AS TO
Alice, before she had been five minutes II
the room, Wilfred came to claim her hand
looking altogether so manly, handsome ant
happy, that it was no wonder she felt prou,
of his evident admiration, and in her owI
frank, innocent manner, showed that th
pleasure of their meeting was mutual
/ Drncanfltv Wilfrpd came nm tO
Miss Gilbert" he said, in low voice, $
want you to take pity on friend OF mine
He is my college tutor-an excellent fellow
though he has nothing to boast of either a
regards face or fortune. There he is. May
Introduce himW
assented, glancing with some curiosit
at the individual poin ted out. Hewas
tall, grave-loOking man, with broa
shoulders and heavy, irregular features
only redeemed from positive ugliness b
Q the expression of his clear, soft gray eyes
at once so intelligent and kindly that thei
first steady look at me gave me pleasan
sense of coniidencein in their owner. lnstea
1 of the formal inclination which usual
h marks first Introduction, instinctivel
! put out my hand, which he as instinctivel
8 Shook with cordial grasp.
"Miss Gilbert-my friend, John Owen
, A few words of mutual commonplace
: followed, and Wilfred then left us to devot
a himself anew to Alice. During the re
mainder OF the evening Mr.. Owen and
I improved our acquaintance rapidly; and
: assured Alice, who, during our drive home
t ward, rallied me not little on my peculia
e fortune in captivating the ugliest man
the room, that had never met with s
Q sensible a companion, papa always eX
y cepted! ..t.. ..s..gr.. I'LL. d..
. THANK you, my DEAR" smiled ou
father.
>, Three happy weeks succeeded, enlivene
10 BY skating excursions, walking parties, an
many gatherings round the evening fir
Wilfred and his friend were continual
with us, and still John Owens place W,
!. ever at my side. What my feelings TOWARD
him at this time really were can scarcel
, tell. Girl-4ike, was hattered by the ev
dent pleasure which this man, so far m
superior in age and intellect, found in IN
I 4 society, but as yet had not learned full
/. to appreciate his excellence. Consequent
:, 1t was with no peculiar emotion that
heard the announcement,onea aiternoon,th'
the next day would witness his departur
1Wffred and Alice-now openly Detroit
] ed, and only waiting until the form
IsS should have completed his college career
at be unlteu-Were seaIeu III uieCdi'C "inuo
Q. in the fast falling winter twilight exchani
D ing lovers condolences; and |, with m
father and Mr.. Owen, sat around the fir
side. Presently there was ring at Il
} bell, and the former was summoned to b
: surgery. John Owen began to express b
IS. regret at our approaching separation.
Z lSYes, indeed ,~I replied II am sorry "
1 are going. We shall all miss you We
muchp pifL .taii, fi,,,....,J D., ..,
AS spoke LSglanced at Wilfred al
Z, Alice; but my companion did not, or wou
I not see the glance. n l.Dt .----- \.