Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1866-02-08
"No it isn't. I don't like the man

+ NO ~ isn't. don't like the man
an, what is more, never shall"
at is all stnbbornness, Maria, an,
! am determined not to give way to il
If Mr.. Sherman asks me for your hant
he shall have it,"
As the old gentleman thus spoke he
turned quickly away, and a merry
light played in the maiden's eyes as
she gazed after him.
e Yes," she said to herself, when
he asks for my hand. Poor Sherman
He is afraid Of me now, and will TAX,
the best of care that he thinks no bet
ter Of me. Ha, ha, ha 0Aen he ask,
for my hand I"
Three days passed away, and during
that time Sherman and Maria Otter
met, but they converscd very little
passing the usual compliments of the
day, which was done on the girls part
with her determined clownishness. II
was on the evening of the third day
Mr.. Lothrop and Sherman had gone
ont into the village, and Maria threw
on her light shawl to take a stroll
through the garden. 1t was just at
twilight, and the mellow tints Of the
departed sun were still lingering over
the landscape. The maiden had taken
but q few turns among the flowers
when she heard footsteps near her, and
on the next moment she was joined BY
Mr.. Brown.
So you love to linger among the
flowers as well as myself3n said he, as
he stood by the fair girls side and pre-.
sented herwith blush rose which he
had just plucked.
Yes, sir, ! am like all the rest Of
Gods creatures who have not abused
their own natures. love to linger
wherever there is beauty, especially
when that beauty lies slumbering in
the lap of nature"
Maria trembled some as she spoke,
for she saw that the gentleman's eyes
were fastened upon her, and strange
emotion had entered her soul.
:" | too love beauty" returned the
young man, and l also love agreea-
bic companionship. Let us walk to-
gether. At the lower end Of the gar
den have seen little lakelet. The
day-beams are lingering there yet
Will you walk that way?"
He offered his arm as he spoke, and
with trembling hand Maria took it.
Soon, however, she regained her won't
ed composure, and the conversation
took an agreeable turn. Beneath the
influence of her companions agreeable
manners and pleasing words she al
lowed her whole soul to 60 forth with
out disguise, and under such circum-
stances more charming companion
than Maria Lothrop would have beer
difficult to find.
1t was after nine o'clock when the
garden wanderers returned to the
house. They both of them mutually
confessed that they had no idea it was
half so late. Rather significant con,
fession to be made under such circum-
stances
On the next day Sherman looked
more unlovely in the maiden's eyes
than ever. Twice he followed her and
tried to engage her in conversation,
but she repnlsed him as usual, and at
the result Of the last trial he seemed
to make up his mind that he would try
no more to make himself agreeable
All day Maria wore rose in her bo-
som. 1t was the one her companion
had given her on the previous evening.
Brown noticed it, and bright smile
illumined his features as he recognized
his own gift.
The next evening found Maria again
in the garden. and again was Brown
by her side. They walked about among
the flowers for an hour, and then they
strayed away to the lakelet, where
they sat down upon seat which had
been framed between two linden trees
The moon was up, and her beams lay
brightly upon the surface Of the water
glittering in thin silver light till the
whole scene appeared almost softened
monday.
Tomorrow leave you," said the
young man, after they had been gazing
for some time off upon the surface OF
the lakelet.
Tomorrow ?" uttered Maria, be-
traying considerable emotion.
"Yes. l have already made my
stay longer than ! had expected bui
it has been most agreeable, and think
l might enjoy myself here forever. Elk
cuse me, Maria, have no right to thai
enjoyment but l cannot help wishing
that were in my friends place"
"Yon allnde to Mr.. Sherman 7" said
Maria, with her eyes cast down.
"Yes, to him who is to be your hus'
band"
"My husband?"
Eyes. know how the mattel
stands, and for that reason must has
ten away. ! will not tell you lie
The truth is, fear to stay longer il
your society. Were you not inevita
bly, another's, might have some hops
for myself. But, as it is, only wrong
my own heart by staying near you.
shall often think of you when | an
away, and shall look back upon thes
moments as among the happiest of m.
life."
For some moments Maria was silent
Her heart beat with a strange power
and she knew that if she looked up he
face would betray her. At length
however, her mind came back to pro
position that loosed her tongue.
81 am not going to marry with Mr.
Sherman" she said. :.
/ mot going to marry with him
repeated the young man, with soms
surprise in his manner.
"No. am sure am not"
"But thought it was all arranged
I thought he had come here for tina
purpose"
81 know not how that may be, sir
but am not going to be his wife,"
"Are you serious in this I"
al was never more So"
And your hand is not engaged ?"
4 No, sir"
| 40, then there may be hope for me
Speak, Maria. May hope to hold 20.
1 Syta a