Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-09-16

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fcessantly, and one could not pick ten
sensible words out of all she would say in
a week. She was as ignorant OF music as
am of Chinese literature, and, much as
she admired Mr.. Hunt, she could not keep
still while he sang, When he asked her
If she enjoyed ono of Beethoven's sonstss,
played superbly by Mrs. Barlow, she an
swered, "Oh yes; l think 1t is so nice.
Did you ever hear Casey's band play
When Johnny comes marching homer ?
1t is splendid"
And yet she was 80 amiable, and she I'D
mired himself so much, that Mr.. Hunt
could not help being charmed. In fact,
the poor fellows ideas were in some con-
fusion. He knew he was in love with
somebody-he knew he had lost the heart
he was in the habit of calling his own
but which of these two charming crea-
lures had It in her possession he was not at
all sure. And that sly Ada laughed in her
sleeve to see her despairing swain reviv-
ing from the chill of her coldness in the
warm beams of new sun.
Mrs Barlow was alarmed. "Cen Hunt
be such fool" she thought, ''as TO fancy
he can pique Ada in this wayf OF course
he does not admire LAURA dear warm
hearted little thing, to be sure; but, then,
she hasn't q thimbleful of brains, and
can't sing note. dare say he thinks
to make himself more desirable by hold
ing aloof little. Conceited, like every
other man. But he will lose Ada If he is
not careful. l must warn him." y
She did 30 at the first opportunity. The
poor man was terribly embarrassed. "My
dear FRIEND" he said, 81 hope you do not
think me capable of flirting with onelady
in order to make an impression upon
another. My attentions to Miss Hatha-
way have been the result of accident, Cir
cumstances have constantly arisen which
| made them unavoidable"
"Of course could not suspect you of
any thing so dishonorsble," replied the
lady, fibbing without q blush. "But
feared dear Laura might mistake your
feelings toward herr "at'f t'
* trust not. But, indeed, 1 fear Miss
Morris will never care for me. She is
quite cold and Indifferent"
"That you will never know unless you
| ask her. She is not the girl to let you see
a preference for yon until you do. And
| think it right to tell you that your time
! is short; she leaves Us tomorrow"
Mr.. Hunts countenAnce fell The
thought Of losing Ada was misery. He
rose and walked the floor. "And do you
really think have chsnceH" he asked,
dolefully. t-.
81 have always told you that I think
| the chances are in your favor. Any way,
faint heart never won fair lady. If you
care to try your fate, l will see that you
have the opportunity"
She WAS as good as her word. That
evening Mr. Hunt found himself, through
her adroit management, seated with Ada
in deep bay-window, quite apart from
the rest Of the company, who were occu'
pied with new game, and knew that it
was non or RdUSr.
1t was delicious summer evening. The
moon was at the full. The faint, fra
grant night wind breathed tenderly
through the garden trees, and fire flies
cleaned palely among the dewy shrub.
berry. At the foot of the garden, and
separated from it only by a narrow lane,
| flowed the river, flashing in the moon
| light; and its pleasant ripple mingled
| with the rustic of the leaves and the oc-
casional chirp Of some drowsy bird in the
branches. It was the kind of night when
people say soft things almost of necessity
but Ada did not choose to talk sentiment
with Mr.. Hunt and once or twice, when
she thought he was verging on tender
strain, she brought him back to common
places so skillfully that he could not re-
sist her lead. at length, almost in des-
pair, he begged her to sing to him once
more song which he had often admired
She consented readily, and sent him to
bring her guitar from the table.
Meanwhile Mrs. Barlow was watch.
ing the pair with anxious eyes. She felt
sure, from the serene expression Of the
lady's face, and the perplexed look on
| sc hat tha fofn off
question had not been asked. When she
saw Mr.. Hunt rise TO bring the guitar, hel
patience gave way. "I do believe the
man is fool /" she exclaimed to herself
"To go and ask her TO sing, when l had
taken so much pains to secure him one
last chance of speaking TO her Now the
others will come crowding round, and he
will not have another word with her. Oh
Ada Morrisl You sing that song delight
fully, but you Go not know how youl
destiny is hanging upon it II
Mrs Barlow was right. The song JUS
then beginning was indeed the minister
of destiny to Ada Morris, but not in the
way her anxious hostess believed. If MIR
Hunt had found courage to talk of love
at that moment, instead OF temporizinl
with music, this story would not have
been told-there would have been nc
story to tell.
But now, Ada, passing the black ribbor
of her guitar over her neck, leaned bach
in her chair in the moonlight, and, touch
ing the strings softly for moment, begaI
that beautiful song of Mendelssohn's, g.
hear small bird calling" Every breatl
was hushed, every movement stilled, a
the melting tones thrilled through tht
room and hoated out upon the listening
| Ioir Of uiUbt Tha last Unta died aoftlV
tremblingly away, and there was a mo
ment of silence before the hum of admira
ton began to arise. In that instant
pause there was heard, from the lane a
the foot of the garden, mans voice
rich, mellow tenor, singing, in charming
manner, TO sweet though simple all
these words of Shelley's: li..
As the moons soft splendor
Ger the faint cold starlight Of heaven
Is thrown,
80 thy voice most tender
To the strings without soul has given
LIS own.
"The stars will awaken,
Though the moon sleep full hour later
No leaf will be shaken
- While the dsws OF Thy melody scatter
~ Delight. f = ~ - BE-
Though the sound o7erpowers,
Sing on, with thy sweet voice revealing
A tone
OF some world far from ours,
, Where music; and moonlight, and feeling
Arefonel"
, Not tan fluttered, not ribbon rustic
while the song continued. But at Il
, first sound Of that voice, Mrs. Barlov
who was looking at Miss Morris, saw ht
start slightly, and then soft blush dawne
7 and deepened upon her cheek. An amuse
/ smile tlickered for q moment about h,
7 lips, then faded away, and dreamy, q
. sent look came over her face. She 8
:, motionless, listening like one who
3 thoughts are far away, until the sing,
1 ceased, Then those who were near u
. window saw tall figure move from Il
0 shadow Of the gateway, and heard foo
steps retSeating toward the town. In
Q moment everybody was talking at ono
9 "How beautiful "What splend
s Xoicer' $50 romantic toor' "Who.cs
n he beS" "Now, Miss Morris, you mu
@ positively tell us about him"