The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1867-07-31

sank into n chair, | wonder not th;,
She refused to place her future life il
my keeping. She has suffered enough
from the accurscd cup. The night .
sorrow and dcsoation has been lon.
enough upon her. She would be wors,
Than mad to take n husband whose open
ing path Of life led towards the pit into
winch The loved ones Of other days Lac
fallen"
Butt asked myself "why did she
not tell me the whole truth p
found no difficulty in answering The
1lncsl'on She had shrunk from wound
'nS my feelings. knew how scnsi
tive she was, and knew that she was
afraid of offending NO, Perhaps she
thought me proud and headstronc
enough TO resent such liberty OH her
part, and perhaps she imagined might
look upon her as the Offering Of her
! hand, III consideration Of my rcnounclno
inc vino cup, and that | might spurn
icr offer.
On Friday Jack Stanton left mo, and
on Saturday evening | called at Mary's
| boarding house. Mary herself answered
my Summons. She started when she
saw me, and | saw her right hand move
| quickly toward her heart.
MARY" said I, speaking calmly, for
| had mighty strength Of will to sun
Port me, 81. lave not come TO distress
you; | conc rs a friend, and humbly
ask that YOU will give me an audience
for a few minutes
She went into the parlor, and I fol-
lowed her, closing the door behind
mo and when We were alone sho
set the lamp upon the table and mo-
toned me to take seat.
"No," said |, "I will rot sit down
yet. Give me You hand, Mary"
Mechanically she put forth her
hands, and [ took them in my own.
There was wondering look in her
eyes, and slight flush had como to
hex pale checks.
Salary" L continued, speaking
slowly and softly, and l knew that
moisture was gathering in my eyes,
seA SWeF 'a'Ist Is 5 a1swcr ,tot one question An;
solemn assurance that I ask it for
your own good. Tell nc, do you love
me ? No, no--do not take your hands
away Yet. Answer me if you can.
Foar pot-O fcarnot J; for / had rath-
ergo into endless night than do you
wrong. Tell me, Mary, do you love
me :"
81 can not speak falsely" she trcm-
blingly whispered: ssFor my own
pcacc, perhaps / love you too we'll"
"listcn to me one momcnt," | add
cd, drawing her nearer to nc "whcn
lhavo told you what have to toll,
You shall be the judge"
S;ho did not strive to FREQ her hands,
but looked up eagerly into my face,
and her eyes bcamcd with hopeful
light"
"You.know Jack Stanton Z" I said.
"Ics," she replied.
"lIc was MY best friend whom We
were at college, and my friendship
has not grown less. IIo came to sec
nc and told nc the trials and suffcrings
Of one Of the schoolmatcs of his car.
licr days. Oh, Mary, | know well
why my hand was refused, and L
blame you not. 1t may be that our
paths will be different through life,
but you shall at least kno' that he
whom you loved will SO live that he
shall not be unworthy Of you kindest
remembrance. I know that 1 have
hitherto wandered into the path of
danger, but hcncoforth l. am free
from tho dread snare. Under the
new light that has dawncd upon nc 1
hold the wine cup to be n fearful enc
my. I will shun it as / would shun q
shameful lifc and clouded dcathbed
For my own sake will [ do this, so
that my saintcd mother, if she can
look upon horboy, can smile approv-
ingly upon tho course he has chosen.
"And now, Mary, if, at somo futuro
,timo you should feel that you can
trust your happiness in my keeping,
you will givemo some token thereof,
and J. will como and ask you again for
! your hand; and should it be my bless
cd lot to receive it, L will devote
every energy in ny being to mako
your life joyous and peaceful one"
L let go her hands, and bowed my
head to wipo away q tear. / turned
towards tho door, really intending to
depart and give her time for rolec-
tion, when sho pronounced my name
! I looked back and her hands were
stretched out towards ne.
"Not now" I whispered, "I will
not ask your answer yet. Watch INC
prove mo. Only give mo to know
| tkat 1hayc yonr love and good Will"
i : Istopped speaking, for Mary's head
| had Boon pillowcd upon my bosom.
and she was weeping like child.
"Now now !" sho uttered as
wound my arms about hcr. ooh
Charlos,I mover doubted your truth
i know you cannot deceive me. God
! bless your noble resolution, and Lei
mo help youto keep i'll"
tstaI cannot toll how long Istoppct
| that evening loan only tell that
\ was very happy, and that my prospec
OF tho coming year was BRIGHT allt