Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-02-22
A LAUREL BLOSSOM.

a charming face, indeed so bright and
bappy. Who is she, Mrs. Rutherford p
Mary Morrison-one of our village
And like most bellies somewhat OF a
coquette, said the gentleman, half inter
negatively.
Indeed, I never thought so until late
iy, answered the lady gravely. 1t Is a
pity"
Yes" said young lady, standing by.
1T is shame. I'm sure we have all con
sldered her engaged to Hugh Shirley-lnd
now. only look at her. A gentleman, TOO,
whom she has known but a week H.
But rich and so handsome SAID another
young lady. "A city beau, too. Quite Il
distinction in our rustic community she
added, laughingly.
Not worth Hugh Shirley. by half. A
mere fashionable cozcomb | dare say. |
am surprised that girl so good and sensi-
ble as Mary Morrison would act so.
Poor Mr.. Shirley One may see how
cut up he is about it.
Hugh Shirley, seated little apart from
the group of picnickers, and concealed by
the intervening shrubs, had heard every
word of this conversation He now rose
and walked slowly away, but first boxed
back to where Mary Morrison was seated on
messy rock, smiling and chatting with her
new admirer-a Mr.. Weston, from the
city"
How pretty and graceful she was, as with
hush on her cheek, and an unwoHtei light
IN her dark eyes, she glanced up archly from
beneath the brim of the iaunty littic iipsy
hat which she wore. Bat the flash seemed
teverish, and the bright eyes restless and
Uneasy. Vas she aS happy, satisfied as she
appeared? Had she really turned away
from him to whom she had almost plighted
her love, and bestowed it upon this com
paratlye stranger, this acquaintance of
week?
Hugh Shirley turned away with sharp
bitter pang in his heart Aud then he com
rresse1 his lips and walked on with firm,
= viii at once, he muttered to himself
rr,o,utcly.
When ont of sight Of the rest Of the
party, he seated himself on a fallen tree
trunk. he tore slip from leaf of his
pocket book, and wrote,i in u style perfectly
Characteristic of himself:
"MARY-You lnow how love you.
must now know, once for all, whether you
love me, or prefer another Whether you
Will, IN 4 word, promise to be mine-my
,ife. HUGH.
How to get this scrap of paper to her?
lie knew of no one by whom TO send it;
and now, whenever he approached her, she
was not only shy and restrained towards
him, but their every Iook and motion be
came 50 conspicuous a mark Tor a dozen pair
81 eyes, that it would be impossible for him
20 convey the paper to her hands without
e being perceived by others. And yet he
eoud not wait he must have ter answer
th1> very evening, for he had plan in view
depending upon it. His friend Workman
UHuA leave to morrow for New York, and
rnr..ee, IN tew days for California. He
had andeavyivd 70 ,.er=Qade Shirley to ac
company bin, and it had been alone his
-1yg i"r Nary which had kept him L,,,.,,z.
Hugh boid-n. n his ..sni the slip Of pa
per nL0u which 50 much depended, was
startled ay the sound of approaching gay
E1-te-, and hts heart thrilled as the next
mn-aHt Mary Morrison stood before hin
az. mIaUicl hy Mr.. Weston and Z young
lady.
--Oh, Mr Shirieyl" exclaimed the latter,
Hope $50 don't intrude or interrupt your
P.eural frenzy. We are looking for flowers
1. w=a- in our hair at the dance. TO night.
y. course you Il be there? | really think
IAat they must have taken all the wood
.J"ers 10 decorate the festive hall, for
W. can scarcely find one. Won, you help
U>5"
=, Miss Morrison had colored at tie sight Of
II iGh, and had then turned abruptly toward
her escort.
OH Hugh heard her exclaim sudden
IT, there is a laurel the first Ihave seen ;
aAl my iayoritc flower See high up on
'he summit of that tree. If could only
getit,"
1t is quite out Of reach, unfortunately,
deserved Nr. Weston, glancing up wist
luay, and the ground below so wet and
mar>hy. Yet would give anything to OBJ
TAN Il, since you wish 1t.
Oh never mind; ] dare say il is out of
reach Yet itlooks SO pure and lovely, and
u would be so pretty TO wear IN ones hair.
Don YOU think 50 p
In hair such as yours, he replied, in a
low voice and with an admiring glance at
tne rich cluster of wavy dark hair which
she wore swept carelessly back from her
l9Tehlad. But any flower would look well
4eTe; and most fortunately here are some
|i.d roSes-quite as pretty as the laurel, /
InlnS. VIII these do?'
/ suppose so, for want of something
better, she answered cOquettishly. Come,
We will not intrude longer upon Mr.. Shir-
ley; since he appears inclined for solitude -
She happened to be standing closer tC
MIN at the moment than the others
Is that my fault, Mary?" he replied il