The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1867-12-26

that | am afraid almost hated her.
''Ihe company came in the evening
live or six merry young girls and
young men. If my head and heart had
been right, could have enjoyed it too.
But my head ached, and for the rest
you would have thought it was Seman-
tina who was engaged to Ephralm, and
not |.
| "Ihere was a youngman there named
Elihu Parsons. He was very hand
some,--t handsome for man,-and
what with this and his pleasant ways
he was great favorite with the girls.
| had only seen him once or twice, but
he remembered me, and came and sat
by me while the games were going on.
thought this was very good OF him,
for nobody was SO much called for as he;
but he would not leave me, and was so
sociable and pleasant that l tried to
brighten up and entertain him as well
as | could. We were in the midst of
our talk, when l happened to glance up
and saw Ephraim looking over at us, -
looking, too, as had never seen him.
ALI at onceit flashed upon me that
could make him suffer as he had made
me. From that moment an evil spirit
possessed me. | felt my cheeks fush
my heart beat fast; was full of wild
gayety. | sang songs when they asked
me. Elihu asked me to dance, and |
danced II, who had never taken step
before in my life I felt as light as air.
seemed to float through the figure
"Ephraim never came near me the
whole evening, but Elihu kept close to
me, and we had great deal of talk that
am glad to have forgotten. But ]
remember that he laughed at Samantha
Lee, and made fun Of her hair that he
said was like tow, and her eyes that
squinted, and her mincing gait; and l
listened, and felt malicious pleasure
at this dispraise of Samantha. Through
it all my head ached terribly, and stu
pidly wondered how dared be such
wicked girl, and what my mother would
say if she knew it.
"By and by it was ten o'clock, and
then Semantha suddenly discovered that
she must go home. Mrs. Allen tried to
persuade her to stay. But no! 1t was
going to snow, she said, and she would
not stay. Then Prudence said, if she
mast go, Ephraim would take her home
in the sleigh, which, of course, was just
what Samantha wanted.
81 don't know what made me do it.
but upon this | rose and went over to
where they were standing, and said
that Elihu Parsons was going directly
past Deacon Lees, and would be happy
to take Samantha, and that | weuld
rather Ephraim should not go.
prudence lifted up both hands, as
if she was too horrified to speak, and
looked at Samantha. Samantha gig
gled. She was one of those girls who
are always laughing foolishly.
GAS for Ephraim, his face was dark,
and his voice was cold and hard, as he
said, From what we have seen tonight,
Mercy, | don't think it can make much
difference to you what do; and then,
without another word, went out.
Presently heard the sleigh-bells,
and in moment Ephraim came in at the
front door. hurried to him. would
make one more effort, I thought.
''He stopped on seeing me.
"'Are you going to leave me for
Semanthal You are very unkind to
mel said passionately.
"'You are foolish, Mercy. Samantha
is our guest, and l have shown her no
more attention than she has right to-
"'Can't you see, Ephraim?' l cried.
Don't you know that she came here on
purpose to make trouble between you
and me, and that Prudence is helping
herr aF a
"He looked surprised, then wholly
incredulOus. You are mistaken, Mer-
cy. You are prejudiced against Sc
81 grew angry. I did not know that
many men, acute enough to all else, are
stone- blind where the wiles of woman
are concerned. you may go then, if
you like. ! see you don't care for me,
said bitterly.
Yeu know I do care for you,' said
Ephraim. His voice was softer
might have won him then, if would
have stopped to persuade. But I would
not. My pride was hurt l turned
away from him.
presently Samantha came out and
they drove off
"Pretty soon Elihu Parsons brought
his sleigh round, flung down the reins,
and came in to say good night. He
held my hand and fingered, talking,
when | was eager for bis going. MY
gayety had fled, and every word cost
ne pang At last he said, i am 60
ng by your house. Can l carry any
for your
ga wild thought darted into mymind.
Going by our housei o, if might
20 tool
"'You can! he said eagerly. Il will
Jake you with the greatest pleasure
'In an instant I had resolved to go.
[t-seemed to me that should die If I II
stayed under that roof another night. {
so I begged him to wait minute, ran {
~, afosvs snaaLad NV thino,s auI oauna .