Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1869-11-03

bringing sad thOughtS) made me very
happy, it was mcOmmonIy cheering
and pleasing to me, anticipating much
enjoyment in the ereaIizatiOn of its prom
ise, but please excuse me, I wish to
speak with friend"
I She then rose with calm dignity and
left them. Ned devoted himselftO Fan
ME the remainder of the evening till eti-
quette compelled him to escort Alice
home.
CHAPTER II.
a rose all fresh in bloom and Light"
All sweetness to my ardent sight.
But when it's under leaves I part.
find worm within it's heart
The next evening Miss Fannie Ray
did not ride alone. Ned's charger waited
at an early hour before Squire Ray's'res-
idence, and presently both were sweep
ing down the broad pike in the direc-
ton of Mr.. Brownfeld' ) cottage, this be-
ing the route chosen by Fannie when
Ned asked her preference; they return
ed just in time to find the family at tea;
/ of course Ned spent the evening with
them in a social way. Fannie's music
and singing beguiled the time till late
hour, when he retired, after having pro-
missed to accompany her to church OH
the following morning. Walks, rides
and evenings together, consumed their
time for days and weeks, such arrange
ments being the highest ambition Of
Fannie. She was always in her bright
est mood and showed the most amiable
traits of temper. Ned began to believe
she was as angelic in her disposition and
character as she was lovely in personal
charms. In fine she became his ideal of
a perfect woman; somehow it did not Oc-
cur to him that she was i'll any way the
/ cause of his estrangement from Alice.
He considered he was justly offended
with her. Did not his friendship and
attentions entitle him to her confidence
| in the engagement with Lieutenant
/ Gray? Indeed as q true woman, he
| thought it had been her duty to confide
| in him when she saw how devoted he
was to her, instead of which she had
ever received his advances with the
bIandest smiles. He was vexed at heart
nor could he forbear believing her to be
an arrant coquette. She could never be
his-she had plighted her faith to anOth-
er. Sometimes q doubt would arise i'll
his mind, whether that engagement re-
ally existed; but why that crimson blush
and apparent confusion when Fannie
asked to see her letter? ''WeIl, WE'LL"
he said to himself, "the Lieutenant will
secure prize, but my Fannie is peer
less, the embodiment Of all that is love
Iy and virtuOus." After all these refec-
tions, Ned considered that Alice loved
him not. Fannie gave him every rea-
son to believe she DID, and as he had
determined to marry and settle down in
domestic life, he knew he could not find
a better or handsomer wife than Fan
ME, but somehow, he knew not why, he
deferred making proposal from time to
time. He wished to see Alice once more
and have a serious conversation with
her, but he never could get Fannie to call
at the cottage, when they were walking;
once he insisted, but she became very
solicitOus about her mother, who had
been complaining of the headache all
day, and ~ repTOach myself for leaving
her this long," she said 80 let us hast
ell home; We'll call to see Alice another
time" She always managed to defer a !
call at Mr. BrOwnfields until another
time.
fl can only keep him away till we
are engaged, she thought, all will be
safe for know he is a man of honor.
She little thought that Ned had come
to the wise conclusion. of not commit |
ting himself till he had an interview
with Alice.
Things remained in this way when |
one evening about six weeks after the
party, Mrs. CIayIand, Ned's mother,
charged him with commission. 81
wish you would call at Mr.. BrOwnfield's' |
she said, and tell her she can have all
the fruit and flowers she wishes-teIl |
her to send for them as soon she pleas
es. Now, Neddy, don't forget, for they !
are expecting visitors, and 7 would be
sorry to disappoint them"
Twill obey your orders, my dear
mother" Ned said, "but do telIme the
names of those distinguished persona
ges who are to be regaled with fruit and
flowers"
'T believe my dear son the name is
Gray, Lieutenant Gray. He and Alice
are old friends. They became acquain-
ted dwhen-Regiment was here
'Oh! that's the party, is it?' said he,
leaving his mother very abruptly, start
ing in the direction of the village. She
followed him to the door, wondering
why he was so excited.
Alice had previously told Fannie that
the Lieutenant was married, but for rea-
sons best known to herself, she had kept
the information that theywould visit her
a secret. Therefore Fannie was much
surprised when, one morning, she recei-
we'd the following note from Alice:
"Come over Immediately, looking
your very prettiest; pleasant surprise
awaits you" ALICE.
Her curiosity knew no bounds-what
can it be? thought she. Accordingly |
she dOnned her handsomest walking
dress and most becoming hat, then has
tened to the cottage, having no suspic-
ion of the truth, but what was her sur
prise and chagrin wmrn she was prescn-
ted to Lieutenant Grny and lady. She
however greeted them with composurc
and delight"
"How kind it vas Of YOU" she re-
marked "to come this way on your bril-
dAl trip. I'm so glad" seating herself
near an open window.
They conversed gNily till the noise Of
ihe opening nf the frORt gate cauged