Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1867-01-11

p'e1eo Myrtle by her rcsOlute and determined
silence on the subject.
Myrtle pondered moment. "You did no,
seem to like Mr.. Hastings. / think he, very
gentlcmaalv indeed
Myra, III able TO reply, lef, the rom.
| Myrtle sat down for q few moments serious
rejection, and presently, thanks to womanly
intuition, she saw clearly the whole. "They
were good friends once, perhaps engaged,
I quarrelcd, and Myra was too proud and firm
| in resolution to give the first word of recon.
ciliaton; now, how shall they be brough, to-
! gether. 1t is evident Myra loves him" and
the busy little head began plotting, bu, MOTH
ing dark or sinister could have been implied
IN the bright, mischevous smile. as connie
ting her her plan, she dressed fer the evening
and went down to the family parlor. where
Myra was making the tea. and 80 pale and
sad that Myrtle began to have serious misyiv-
ings about her own plan. She took the cup
OF tea from Myras hand with peniten,ial
air, that soon resolved into gayety, as Myra,
with an effort. rallied her spirits The even
ing passed pleasantly, bu. Myra, at an early
hour, excused herself on the plea Of fatigue
and, bidding Myrtle stay and make herself
agreeable to the family, retired Soon after,
| ring at the door announced caller, and
card was handed to Miss Raymond.
1t was Mr.. I.oring who seemed. so thought
| good Mrs. Leigh, very much smi,,en with the
little country girl.
/ Myrtle, with an anxious glance at the mir
! ror went to receive him in the reception par
! lor, and Myra, who heard the ring at the door
and the music in the parlor, as Myrtle, IN ner
dashing way played Aacrry, restless waltz,
! ,icalously t..opsh ut Of but one as her conpa,,-
ion and trying to feel it was nothing to her,
tortured herself with wild conjectures, and
then bitterly condemning herself for what
she could not but recognize as love, suffered
more than ever before
The next morning Myrtle, sprincine from
her bel at the first bell, dressed with her
| usual neat promptness. and tapping at Myras
door, went in ut the kind summons Each
gave the loving morning greeting with the
remolseful feeling, that she had given the
other pain. But Myrtle, very resolutely sup
| pressing the rising tenderness that prompted
her to confde in her. said hardly, with eyes
ayerted, and Yet with appearance of care
lessness in her tone: "My dear. how old
| should you Judge Mr.. Hastings to be He
appears to have travelled great DEAL but has
not the appearance of being thirty" Myra's
/. hand irembled as she fastened her cameo, and
thinking, 1T mas he then, last night, an
swered aloud, "lle is just thirty, believe
"Uncle Jay thinks him a most thorough gen.
! tleman. continued this dissembler in sen-
sive tone Myra announced herself as ready
to SO down, and Myrtle, striving not to fee,
guilty, linked her arm in tiia, Of her friend,
and went to breakfast.
The days passed on and Myrties plot
shickened One day. while skating. Myrtle
met Mr. Hastings, and will. hearty frank
ness, guleless boldness. Tor which Morton
ever after thanked her, gave him a grand
motherly lecture, as well as opening his eyes
!. to the fact that there no need Of any cs-
arrangement between nimself and Myr. Il
know have presumed on very short ac-
! quaintanee, concluded Myrtle, 'having met
/ you but once before; but could not see Myra
SO unhappy, and know the cause without
tlansgrcssing the laws Of formaitv, and try
ing to set it right between you.
| need not give Morton reply. 1t was fer
venlly thankful and full OF joy and hope and
might he have the pleasure OF taking her to
i-Myra Myrtle, pretending TO pout at
the evident attraction at tbs end of the lrive
still did not refuse, and they rode with the
understanding of pleasant. mutual friend
] ship. They entered the house, ard found
! Myra in thc psrlor-not quite well enough TO
! gossskating, size had tod Myrtle. She rose to
leave The room, but Myrtle, anticipating he,
rlayfully seated her again. ard left the room
herself. carolling up the stairs with the JOY
ous abandon of happy thoughts.
1t was some two hou~s later Myra sought
her friend, and her beautiful! face lighted v it'll
the glow of great JOY blushingly showed
Myrtle her engagement ring. sAnd. Myrtle.
| thought he was in love with yon, and vas
horribly jealous Of my wild rosebud bu: did
a ring on-why, Myrtle, is it so o.
/ Il saw YOU were little Jealous and, Myra,
| hope you Il absove me. but lencnuragc you
in it
Il have lest my pride, Myrtic-my sinful
pride, and bless rou. But this ring you don't
explain.
SWELL, Myra, you see Mr.. Loring is an old
acquaintance and nnclcs partner. and used
to skate with him, and Think + Iharo explains
ed
sMy,tic Eaymond;' said Myra, with her old
playful tragical reproachcs, you are The most
dcceitful, Lypocritical--'
Il knew, know, Myra, said Myrtle huns
bly,, but now we have no secrets, and iont
think shal ever indulge III another plot
A. Ward at Shakspeare,s Tomb.
Mn. puNcH :-MY DEAR SIR: I've been
ingerin by the tomb of the lamcnted Sha&-
srcarc.
1t is a success.
] do not hesitate to pronouncesit AS such.