The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-06-03

ner IN her anger of the preceding eve.
ming but perhaps there was ouc flower
yctnnIadedthat she could putin amongst
the folds Of her hair Perhaps one Of
the scarlet gcraniums he loved to see
1gainst the glossy, jctty braida was
bright enough for ornament. Rather
slowly the young Girl went 10 the corner
where the flowers lay upon the floor.
and, lifting them, sat down to search
for one fresh one Not one was there
but, as the faded leaves fell from the
bare stems, she saw that there was
something gljttcring, tied securely in
the heart Of the boqupt Wondering,
she united the jewel and slipped it
upon her finger ltwas a ring of quaint
drylce-two heart, of pure gold. Joined
by a torquoise forget menot. in the
heart Of which nestled sparkling dja
mond Something as clear and as bright
as the diamond cleaned for a moment
on Alma, check "a. she softly pressed
her lip, upon the jewel
Dear, Leon, how much he loves me
oh. if could be all he wishes, and keep
down this hlsty tcmp OF mine ,'
Already the quarrel had become d
matter OF deep regret, and tho warm
little heart was ready ior reconciliation
when the suppcrbell put an end to
Alma's day dreaming
She was a spoiled beauty, this warm.
hearted, quick-tcmpcrcd Alma Crotts
motherless from her infancy. the idol oI
loving father, with whom no one could
be angry spite Of her thousand caprices
She was the centre OF attraction IN all
the gatherings amongst her large circle
Of tricnls She was q perfect brunette
in he glossy hair aud great black eyes
but her complexion riyailcd that OF the
talrcst blondes, and her tiny graceful
little figure was as full Of life as that oI
a fairy, The object of admiration, aud
the recipient of attention from a num
Der of gentlemen, whom she was nc
customed to meet in society. Alma most
unconsciously grew coquettish in man
ner, distributing her smiles and fayors
freely, and accepting many Offering.
which one more sensitive about cnc2ur
aging attention would have declined, ,-
That she was vain giddy, and coquet
tish all could see, but only few read
the promise of noblcr and better impul
ses under this worldly surface.
Leon Harris was one of tho few who
could penetrate the crust, and rcac
something Of the warm, true heart be
meath, that onl y needed some strona
motive to wake it TO life He, with hi,
grave, reserved nature, seemed strangel,
unfit to mate with this butterfly; bul
with the inconsistency of love, he CAV,
his whole heart into her capriciou.
keeping, hoping that an uuswervinl
love would rouse the nobler portion O.
her nature. But he was too eager fol
the change that could only be wrought
gradually Accustomed to SO mucl
adulation and attention, Alma found il
dlthcult to give up the unmeauing civil
ities so long given to her. She lovet
Leon truly, recognizing all the noble
attributes of his nature; but she wa.
worried into pettish resistance by hi.
too often attempts to mould hes int
the quiet, reserved woman he wished
to see her.
Two loving hearts. united by the at
traction of opposites, Leon aud Aim,
needed only patience to become, eacf
what the other most desired, Time, til,
great fashioner, would have laid hi,
hnSer on each heart, tearing away some
thing Of the cold reserve of one. ant
the gay vanity of the other. But the,
were young and impatient; and, Will,
the one wished to wrench the othe,
suddenly and forcibly from all associa
tons and habits, the other huncered
for some words of praise and flatter,
amidst the continual fault.Gn6ing ant
blame. Leon did not mean to LIE nm
kind; but his very love made him toe
exacting, too impatient to see the loved
one perfect.
"Supper.time !" said Alma, spring
ing to her feet, and letting the faded
flowers slip UNDECIDED from her lap
Leon will soon be here, and, when
thank him for his beautiful ring, | will
tell him that | viii try to become all
that he wishes. Dear fellow if he only
knew it--I love him with my whole
heart. had rather have one smile
from him, than fifty honeyed speeches
from another; but that crooked twist
iu my heart makes me hide away my
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