Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-02-12

corner on his morning walk to the post
Office. Three minutes after be went
home, evidently in great state of excite
ment with her valentine open in his
hand. After a while he went back again
toward the postoflce, and returned. Had
he taken reply3
'tJennie again sought the Office. There
were people all around with those hide
Gus things that they call comic valentines
open in their hands. And they actually
seemed to think them funnyl She had a
reply. 1t did not take her long to find
her room and to open it. There was
another picture of boat, but the name
on its side read DESPAIR And these
words were added: Your boat is the
pleasantest, but understanding that there
was no vacant place upon it, | have been
obliged to take passage on this Slowly
the meaning forced itself upon her.
Henry had fears that she whom he
thought engaged was coqueting with him.
l think, Doctor, you will hardly Justify
her in proceeding further with the CORES
pondence 2"
"Why not Hasn't a woman as much
right to make herself understood in such
q mstter as a man2 And when the So
cial advantages are on her side the bur-
den of making the advances often falls
upon her. Many women do it indirectly
and are not censured
swell, you know, I'm conservative,
Doctor, but I'm glad you're consistent,
She did send another valentine. l am
afraid she strained this figure of speech
about the boat But when everything in
the world depends on one metaphor, it
will not do to be fastidious. Jennie drew
sgain the little boat with misspelt name
And this time she added five word s:
The masters place is vacant
Sand quite late in the afternoon, the
reply was left at the door: 4 am an ap-
plicant for the vacant place, if you will
take that of masters mate.'"
''Good," cried the Doctor; 81 always
advocated giving women every liberty in
these matters"
''But will stump you yet, Doctor,
said Hubert. That evening Cough was
to lecture in the village, aud my friend
went, not to hear Cough, but to see Jen
ME Morton at distance. Somehow in
the stupefaction Of revived hope he had
not thought of going to the house to see
her yet. He had postponed his departure
and had thrown away his scruples.
Knowing how much opposition he would
have to contend with, he thought, if he
thought at al, that he would have to pro-
coed with caution. But some time after
the lecture began he discovered the Nor
ton family without Jenniel Slowly it
all dawned upon him. She was st home
waiting for him. He was near the front
of the church in which the lecture was
held, and every inch of aisle was full of
people. To get out was not easy. But
as he thought of Jennie waiting it be-
came q matter of life and death. If the
house had been on fire he would not have
been more intent on making his exit. He
reached the door, he passed the happiest
evening of his life, only to awake to sor-
row, for Jennie's father is dead set
against the match"
''He has no right to interfere, " said the
Doctor, vehenently. "You seeI stand
by my principles.
you would not" said Hubert.
"Why, isn't it done9"
81 beg your pardon, Doctor, for
having used a little craft. l had much |
at stake. have disguised this story in
its details. But it is true, l am the
hero"
The Doctor looked quickly toward his
daughter. Her head was bent low over
her book. Her long hair hung about it |
like curtain, shutting out all view of |
the face. The Doctor walked to the other
window snd looked out Hubert sat like |
4 mummy. After minute DR.. Hood |
spoke.
"Cornelia!"
She lifted face that was afiame. Tears
ylistened in her eyes, and 1 doubt not
here was prayer in her heart.
''YOu are a brave girl. bad other
,lans. You have right to choose for
yourself. God bless you both. But it's
great pity Hu is not q lawyer. He
pleads we'll" So saying he put on his
lat and walked out.
1t is needless to add that in due time
Hubert Lee and Cornelis Hood were mar
led