The Shasta courier., 1866-06-30

MISS Vance was poor woman now, and her
friends wondered, with half-spiteful COM
passion, " How she would bear it," as they
always do in such cases.
Lima seemed to stand it tolerably. She
came to the old place in weeks time.
as she said, " to settle matters" and her
nrst act was to send back to her lovers
| their letters.
was rich,' she said. in the little note
she wrote to each. .'when you made this
oner to me. l am poor now, and know
enough OF the world to know what differ
ence that fact may make to you.''
Then she waited, with her heart beating
wildly, for her answers.
George Blair's came first.
have neither the necessity nor the
inclination to seek rich wife," he said
Your beauty is dover sufficient for any
woman. Dismiss all doubts of me from
your mind, and believe me ever your de-
voted admrer.
GEORGE BLAIR"
The artists letter came next. All he
wrote was this:
my DEAR Miss VANCE: l believe
hope-you cannot think so contemptibly of
me, as l might fancy from the letter which
lies before me. Surely you must know that
| it is you | seek to make mine-not your
fortune nor even your beautiful face. No
change in you could alter me- Were that
change something more than the mere loss
of money, which l am selfish enough not
even to regret, since can now more boldly
lay such poor fortune as | possess at your
feet. EVAN Meadows
Over the first letter Lima Vance smiled
Over the latter she shed few sweet tears.
Ere she had done reading it, a messenger
brought her the reply of the handsome law.
yer. lie had taken her at her word. Af
fecting to consider himself refused, and
backing out very gracefully, yet very
decidedly, from the offer which it was now
| plain that he had made to the fortune, rath-
er than the woman.
/ Lima flung the letter in the fire, but she
was only angry. not grieved, and not at all
surprised. That two had stood the test as
tonished her. aud now, that she knew both
were worthy of respect, the question was
which she liked the better and which loved
her, most. The first was easier to decide
upon than the Hast. 1t took some time to
| think.
6 Troubles never come SINGLE" says the
proverb. In Lina's case it was true. A
few days more and the windows of the hum.
BILE lodging she occupied were darkened, and
inquiring neighbors learned that Miss Vance
was i'll. The smallpox was very prevalent
just then, and somehow" SO said the old
muse who answered inquiries, Is Miss Lima
had caught it."
The first question asked by every one was,
Will she be marked?" Some uttered the
words pityingly, some with sort of spite,
as they remembered the beauty they had
envied. These were women, of course, but
a. <bo AZ
voices when the news of convalescence gave
them time to think of anything but the
chances of her life or death. They were
George Blair and Evan Meadows. To beth
the old woman made an answer, as though
the words had been learned ..by note,
Marked, bless ye, you won't know her.
Her face is SO changed, and half her pretty
hair gone, poor DEAR"
| George Blair cried Good Heavens p but
Evan said nothing, though the great tears
came to his eyes. 1t was hard to tell what
he felt. Lima would have given worlds to
know. He had said no change in her could
change his heart. She read those words a
dozen times day to keep her courage up
/ But from that hour George Blair gradual
" ceased his visits of inquiry, gradually
forgot to send offerings of fruit and flowers
to the convalescent and in a week or two
had attached himself to the train of admirers
who did homage to certain belle of the
place, and was reported to be in high favor
1 and certain of success.
| He wanted beautiful wife, no plain scar
aaA face should belong to the mistress of his
spIfndid home He was ashamed of his in.
constancy, but could no more help it than
/ the rain could help falling or the leaves Can
/ help whitening. And so, as when the heir.
ess was no more the. e..lawyer's love took wings.
so, now that the beauty no longer existed
the rich man cared nothing for little Lima
Vance. Only Evan Meadows remained
Evan Meadows, with his poets heart, and
artists eyes, and his true mans soul.
He came to the little lodging daily. He
prayed to see her. He sent kind messages,
and many night paced the green lane be-
fore the home only to see the glimmer of the
| lamp which burned in Lina's room.
At last his desire was gratifed. She
promised to admit him to her presence.
The Winter had flown, and Spring was in
her glory. All fresh young things made
earth lovely. The little cottage garden was
fragrant with lilacs and golden with crocus
] blossoms, when, coming to the gate, Evan
i Meadows found Lima walking there. She
wore ner outer garments, anu upon heT uon'
net thick veil. Try as he could. Evan
could not see her face. She gave him her
hand, and he took it softly and placed it on
his arm. Then he led her to the porch and
sat beside her.
:. Youare we'll now, are you not 2" said he,
"Quite well and strong again ~
"Quite." she answered. !" never felt
better in my life than do to-day
.sThank God for that !" he said. You
cannot tell bow anxious | have been, Miss
Vance-Lina 1 have waited long time
for my answer; may l have it now? Will
YOU give me the right to love and cherish
YOU while live, to be beside you in sickness
or in health? You have had time to con.
sider-can you not say yes ~
His arm stole about her waist as he spoke
but she withdrew from his clasp gently and
stood before him.
..I have had time to think, she said
.sbut have you, Mr.. Meadows? You know
what / have passed through. Do you re
member that you have not seen my face yet
Have YOU noticed that | have not lifted my
!, yell? Surely, you can guess what tina
means"
Il He bowed reTerentiy.