Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1866-02-08
6.

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mine can brook no delay. Had | con-
timed to have thought that yonr hand
!; was engaged should never have spo-
l ken thus, but now that find you uil-
trammelled may speak. Tell me, be-
} loved girl, may | hope to win your
love ?"
VI Maria bent her eyes to the ground,
and her heart beat more violently than
ever. She did love the man who sut
|! beside her, for he had appealed to her
3 love by every act in her presence. She
; knew that he had q warm and rener.
> Gus heart, for she had read it in his
every look and word she knew that
, he was handsome, for she could see it
even now ; and then, too, she knew
/, that he must be worthy and respect
!, able man, for her father had said SO.
When she first made up her mind NOT
to love Mr.. Sherman, she did not think
Of loving Mr.. Brown; but the latter
, had wound himself into her affections
without her will. The maiden felt
momentary thrill of qualification at
this result, for now she would have a
fair excuse for refusing the hand Of
! Sherman, should he claim her.
trust l have not offended you,7
J continued the young man. =
No, no, sir" whispered Maria.
\ Then will you not answer me |!
May ! hope to win your love? 2"
j /" should not wish to crush your
hopes, sir"
Then ! may hopcs You win love
me in return?"
Perhaps may"
I BLESS you bless you I" exclaimed
the happy man, as he clasped the mai
den's hand. Zone more word-one
more request. May ! not ask your ia
ther for your hand Z"
Maria hesitated. At first she fear
ed that her father would refuse but
hope soon ruled her fear, and she look
ed up into her companions face.
"You may ask him." she murnured.
And if he says Yes you will not
refuse me Z"
"No."
The lovers spent another hour in the
garden, and when they returned to the
house close observer might have seen
that they looked rather bashful There
were bushes upon their faces, and Ma
ria was forced for while to hide hers
behind the leaves of an open book.
! 1t was quite late when the two
/, young men retired, and as Mr.. and
Mrs. Lothrop were left alone with their
1 daughter, the old gentleman seemed
evidently uneasy.
Maria" said he, with some stern
ness in his manner. am afraid you
/ are trying; to make yourself as disa-
greeable as possible to Mr. Sherman"
, If he thinks am disagreeable, Pm
sure can't help it, returned the girl.
al know not what he thinks, my
child, but do know you are trying to
deceive him."
Perhaps he is too deceiving him
SELF"
"No, no, Maria, you are deceiving
him. You are trying to appear igno-
rant and clownish before him. | have
watched your movements. and have
absolutely felt ashamed Of you. But
let me assure you that it shall not
avail you, and that he will ask me for
your hand, and you shall be his wife,
too"
1--WE will at any rate wait until he
asks you for my hand, "said Maria, with
considerable tartness.
There is no danger but that he will
do that" returned Mr.. Lothrop. "Hc
has penetration enough to see through
your scheming, SO you had better not
4 90, Los.
He may not have shown much Of his
love to you, but let me assure you that
am not to be foiled"
/ Perhaps not"
al kno,o am not"
"yery well,' said Maria.
o. am not going to have you set the
| whole Of your future upon mere pre-
judice," resumed the old gentleman.
"very WELL" repeated the fair girl,
as she arose from her seat.
Il "AAyy A., SO it shall be rery seeu." added
Lothrop.
Maria said no more, but when she
sought her chamber she felt little nm
easy, for she knew that her father was
not man to be easily swayed from
his purpose but then when she came
to reflect she felt confident that Sher-
man would never offer himself; yet
, her soul was moved by strange mix
ture of hopes and fears.
| 1t was in the forenoon on the follow
ing day that Mrs. Lothrop informed
Maria that her father wished to see her
in the library.
4 Nor.a l.aI sn,,,a N O. e1. A,
r turned towards the library. She OPEN
: ed the door with trembling hand, and
when she entered she found her father
n and Mr. Brown there. They both look
J. ed very sober.
e Maria," said the old gentleman,
: "my young friend here has asked me
/ for your hand"
n The poor girl sank into chair.
e "He furthermore assures me that
' you gave him permission"
Maria covered her face with her
!. hands.
"And also that you would accept
r him if he could get my consent. How
is this ?"
at is true, sir" murmured Maria
gazing timidly at her father.
And do you mean just what you
have told this gentleman"
"Yes, sir"
, "Then Pm sure my consent shall
not be wanting. Here, give me your
hand, my daughter. And yours. There.
take her, Charles, and make the most
{ of her."
"Charles ." uttered the bewildered
/; girl.
"Yes," returned the old gentleman.
with J smile. "Mr. Charles Sherman.
"But IL don't understand" STAN
mered the maiden, gazing first at her
father, and then at the young man.
}. astonishing, isn't it," chuckled
Il Mr. Lothrop. rubbing his hands with
h A..koht 81 t0ll vo,, Maria the tran