Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-06-24


liouess"
"Say, rather, | have invaded Paradise, and
startled IFS Eve was my laughing rcjoinder
81 had to bear all manner Of jests, when
we reached the house, from my aunt and cou-
sins, which were great annoyance to me, as
did not care to have them repeat all my light
remarks concerning women to the fair Marion
Woman had become a new creation since had
met her-a being to be not only loved, but re-
vcrcd, standing peerless among all the works
of great Creator
"Days pass on We rode, walked, and
sailed togethcr-Cousins Mary and Lucy, Ma
rion and |. As | was the only gentleman in
the party, my attention was divided among the
three; but Marion aud had many little
tete-a-tetc all our own. ! was infatuated, alb
sorbcd. thrilled. In twenty-four hours from
the time met Marion Wendin was in love,
deeply, hopelessly, the more so because no wo-
man before had ever crossed my vision for
whom had a second thought.
"At the end Of two weeks she was going
home. / resolved to tell her all, and place my
fate in her hands could but make one mad
plunge. It must come to that at last, for
there was no means of retreat, no drawing back
this fiery stecd that was hurrying me on so
desperately.
1--WE stood on the porch watching the 0cto-
Der sunset as it drew its redness over redder
leaves draping the lattice work. Marion's
eyes kept filling with the glory Of the sunlight
till it seemed to Inc she was melting into it,
and becoming part of the very golden mist
hanging around u.s. laid my hand on hers
to be sure she was still there in person, and
then venturc1 to ask If she would not like to
90 with me to the orchard once moro before
she left us. She acquiesced and folding a
shawl about her, drew her arm in mine, and
silently we walked to our first meeting place
silently on her part because the poetry Of
her soul was all awake, and speech would have
broken the spell; and was silent, for the
great bour of my life had come, when Fate
would metc out joy or woo as the portion OF
my cup. Iuyoluntarily VIC both stopped as
we reached the spot where two weeks before
we had encountered each other, and summon
ing all my courage, with all my soul in my
voice. asked-"Do YOU know met my des-
tiny here ?"
"There was no affected turning away on her
par, as though she did not understand me,
hut turning to me with n smile half sad, half
surprised, she quietly said-"Did you? / did
not meet mine"
"'Tben, Marion'-by common consent all
titles had been dropped, she like Mary aud
Lucy calling me Cousin Milton" dare not
hope union Of destinies?'
How could you, when we are so very dissim-
liar? You a man in all the pride and glory OF
being that, and ! woman with woman
weakness am not giving my own view Of
the sexes now, but yours, as it has been told
me by your cousins--as have gathered it
from your own lips; and, he assured, as my
: destiny is only that of woman, hold it too
sacred TO unite it with one who would see in
me only atoms Of dust whiring on aimlessly.
:" She turned TO leave me ] held her. cry
ing-"Oh Marion, Marion, you have sadly
t misunderstood me or, if once / could have
thought so foolishly, my blindness has disap-
: pearcd.
"SLc seemed to pity me, for, turning, her
! lip quirred' an instant, and her tone softened.
''' Cousin Milton, do you remember being
, at Cheston once-and do you remember meet
ing at Mr.. Syduey's shy, awkward school
: girl, whom they called Cousin Mary? Shy,
: awkward as was then, had heart and you
: with your winning and genial ways, won it.
But heard you talk SO lightly Of woman, and
all esteemed holiest and best in her, that my
: idol fell. wrested with my heart, and con-
auercd. II is too late >to renew the old fire,
for | am pledged to one who csteems my wo-
manhood cocqual with his manhood. Iwould
have spared you this pain-my own bitter ex-
pcrence has taught me sympatby-but never
dreamed you would have loved.
al dropped her hand. 1t was that Of an
, others: had no right to retain it. \ mo-
> ment we stood thus beneath the sta5s, face to
face. her eyes looking into mine with calm
pity. aud that moment seeming to me an eter-
, ni,v Of woe She broke The stiffness by rust
ling her shawl closer around her, and in silence
r accompanied her to the house. At the door
turned away with an uuspoien goodnight
upon my lips, dared not trust myself to
speak.
"She arrested the movement Forgive me
if have panied you
"Therc was deep feeling in her voice
but my heart, as | took the proGered hand
only went ont in the cry Marion! Marion )!
And that wall has gone down through all these
twenty years.
"Ned. have tried to retrieve the error Of
nv youth. in the light Of that blessed woman
hood. which was revealed to mcin those weeks
Of sweet intercourse with Marion Wendln,
have lived and written trust some Of the
written sentiments have found their way to
her happy 6reside, and impressed her with tho
: sincerity Of the change Indeed, know this
is so for, ten years ago, little note iiutterec