The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-07-31

her favor was low-lower than I expected
4 Mrs. Norris has something like ahundred
a year. This and few jewels constitute
the net profit she derives from her marri-
age. Unluckily, these speculations can
not be repeated often you see. The cap
-Iital of youth and beauty has but time
La brief one; it is apt to wear out, and
the first venture ought to be the best
Mrs. Norris, not having found it 50, is
i disappointed. [ suppose it is natural but
/ you know cannot pity her very much. !"
i | supposed not, but all that hard, cold
talk panied me.
I 81 have a fancy" he resumed, ssthat
this kind lady expected some other end
ling to our accounts. This is not very
Aattering to my vanity, unless, indeed, as
showing my marketable value; is it. now?'
/ would not answer that question; his
4 tone, his manner, vexed me. Suddenly
he raised his eyes to mine.
"Did such rumor reach your" he ask
ed.
| I could not deny it. My face was in
a fame. [ believe I stammered some
thing, but do not know what.
"Even you had heard it," he said, look
ling scarcely pleased; "the world is very
kind. And you believed it, too! I had
hoped you knew me better"
He seemed quite hurt; but l offered no
justification. Then he rather formally
asked to be allowed to mention the bust
ness that brought him. So 1t was bust
nessl l scorned myself for my folly which
was not dead yet, and 1 bade him speak.
Was asleep or dreaming? Mr.. Thomp-
son spoke of my aunt, her love for me,
my forlorn position, and expressed the
strongest wish to take care of me.
"But," he added with some hesitation,
81 can do SO but in one fashions your
husband. Will you overlook all these
pcculiarities in my temper, which used
to annoy you, I fear, and take what there
is of true and good in me? Can Twill
you do this?"
He looked at me in doubt. Ahl this
was one of my bitterest moments. He
cared SO little for me, that he had never
seen, never suspected, how much / loved
him. And he expected me to take him
SO. / clasped my hands and twisted them
nervously; could not speak at once.
','And you, Mr.. Thompson, / said at
last. "And you"
| "Well, what about me? Do you mean
can too do this?"
I Yes; can you do it?"
"Why, surely-else had never pro-
posed it at all. !"
He had half smiled at the doubt my
question implied, and he looked at me as
he smiled. Both look and smile exaspe-
rated me.
"Mr. Thompson" said excitedly, n
have not deserved this. Carlo, come
here.n
My poor, shaggy Carlo came forward,
wagging his TAIL He laid his head on
my knee and looked up wistfully and
fondly as only dogs can look when they
vainly seek to read the meaning of hu.
man face.
sHe was an outcast," said, looking at
Mr.. Thompson; she was starving; he
came to this door; l fed him, and he wo d
not leave it. l took pity on him-1 gave
him mat to lie on and crust to eat He
loves me for it; but, Mr.. Thompson, am
not quite SO low as to be brought to this
poor brute's level can take care of
myself"
Mr.. Thompson threw himself back in
his chair and uttered dismayed whistle
as / made this free commentary upon his
proposal.
"WelI, WE'LL" he said, recovering slow
|ly, 81 can understand that you should
not care for me, but / did not expect that
you would take it So"
i ssAnd how could / take it?' cried.
1"You give me pity-ah, l scorn pity, Mr.
! Thompson; if were not the poor, for
lorn girl / am, would you feel or speak
so? Do you think ] do not know how
rich girls are wooed and won? If you
cared an atom for me, would you dare tc
, come to me with such language?"
"What language?"
"What did you mean by taking care Of
me?"
"What said. Yes, Augusta, / wish
;; to take care of you-true. fond, loving
i care; nothing shall make me unsay it"
} He spoke warmly and manly glow
rose to his face; but would not give in
and said, angrily, that 1 did not wan
to be taken care of.
"Do let us drop these unlucky words,
he entreated; "and tell me whether yol
will marry me, YES or no. Let it be, i
. you like, that want you to take care o.
( me. I ana much older than you are, you
: know"
II I don't know what possessed me.
said, "No.n Oh, how would liked t
S lhave recalled the word but it was spoken
t land he rose with clouded and disap
Q pointed face. He fingered little, aske
to know why it was no instead of yes.
!, said we could not be happy together. H
{ bowed gravely and left me. | suppos
It he was hurt, for he did not add worG
No assurance of friendship, Of good viii
d no hope that l would relent or chang
/, my mind passed his lips. The door close
upon me. / heard the garden gate ia
d to, and fell into a sort of stapor.
i was over. What madness had made N
Is Danish him? Every step took him ful
ther away from me-neyer-never agai
l-l-skould we meet. Perhaps he woul
10 not have left me then, if could ha,
spoken the truth. All, if | could hay
I said to him, Il cannot be happy with yo
4 because love, and you do not, beeaul
my love and my pride would suffer a
.. dav lenp If | were your wife; because