Middletown transcript., 1869-05-22
flon'llar GALES.
HEART AND HAND,
The Engagement Ring.

II think you will be sorry, Alma"
Sorry, aunt? Sorry for what ?-Sor-
ry because | have shaken off an engage
ment that was becoming a perfect sla-
very?"
No Alma sorry because you have
gricved as noble heart as ever throbbed !;
sorry because you have trifed with sincere,
pure love, such as it is given to but few
women to win"
But, Aunt Mary, you don't know
how exaoting and disagreeable Leon had
become"
How was he disagreeablc, Alma?"
always scolding me-"
Scolding? For what?"
"Well, not exactly scolding, but find
ing fault, in his quiet way. l don't know
but I eoGld have borne it better if he had
flown into a rage, and given me real
scolding; but when he commences, cal
ma, dear" then know there is a cata-
loguc of faults and shortcomings, as long
as my arm, to follow. The fact is, Aunt
Mary, Leon Harris is too good for me-
He ought to find saint, and am not
one."
But, Alma, you have not told me now
the cause of your last quarrel, your rup-
turcd engagement"
II hardly know myself"
Alma! You cannot have taken such
a step without grave cause?"
:" 1t was coming home last evening from
Mrs. Williams party. Leon sent me a
beautiful boquet in the morning, and l
carried it to the party. 1 was dancing
with Mr.. Warren, when some chance re-
mark about flowers brought my boquet in
to notice, and Mr.. Warren asked for a
flower. or course there was a lecture
waiting for me as we came home. One
word led to another, till finally 1 told him
that 1 was weary of his continual fault
finding, and he had better look elsewhere
for a wife, who could combine all the per-
fections of saint with the patience of an
angel. AS for me, | was aware that
could never aspire to that character"
"Alma, Alma! And go you parted %
eyes. We were just at home, SO he
bade me farewell on the step, and went
away, But he will come back ho always
does when we quarrel. though never did
60 so far as that before"
"And if he comes 2"
"I shall repeat my decision am
heartily tired Of his fault finding and die
tation. I won't be bound down so strictly
to guard every word and look. / am sure
innocent flirtations now and then are not
hcpi,us crimes, but have to be called to
an account for every one. | am quite
glad to be free a-ain."
Aud before thr remonstrance she saw in
Aunt Mary's face coull be uttered, thu
wilful littlc beauty sped away to her own
room
Glad Of course she was glad p
| So she said to herself hundred times thai
day. wondering little, however, at dull
restless pain in her heart that would moi
be driven back. As the day faded into
the early twilight of February evening
she dressed herself carefully, saying in
whispers to her heart, He will come
back (; and and perhaps, if he is really
sorry, we will make up again"
So the blue silk dress he admired was
put on; the pretty lace he loved nestled
against the white throat; and when al
else was donned with especial care, Alma
bethought her of her boquet. She had
thrown 1t pettishly into corner in her an,
ger of the preceding evening; but per.
haps there was one flower yet unfaded tina
she could put in amongst the folds of hel
hair. Perhaps one of the scarlet geran
inns he loved to see against the glossy, jet
ty braids was bright enough for ornament
Rather slowly the young girl went to th.
corner where the flowers lay upon thu
floor, and, lifting them, sat down to searci
for one fresh one. Not one was there
but, as the faded leaves fell from the bare
stems, she saw that there was something
| glittering, tied securely ip the heart Of th'
boquet. Wondering, she united the jew
| ell and slipped il upon her finger. Itlwa
q ring of quaint deYice-tWo hearts of nur,