The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1871-03-17


= At length 1 conquered, and we too
our places. A merry time we had. T
was evidently unaccustomed to ctr
: the light fantastic toe. " Round ar
round the mill 1 went, while he can
] hopping and stamping after me in sue
! a ludicrous manner, stopped an
gave full vent to my mirth. Herbe
laughed also. declaring he felt like
Shanghai looking for rose-bug.
!, Every day we repaired to the mill fC
an hour or SO of merTymaking. 4
length, 1 began to teach him the "ga
OF. n He found it more difficult tha
any of the others; and, after many il
sffectuAl attempts at the round step, b
wound up by stepping on his own toes
tripping himself up, and cutting
spread eagle.
1 was convulsed with laughter, bein
Just able to gasp out: Loi a graz
subject is upon the floor. /"
He sprang TO his feet, and with
bound was at my side. His fac
showed neither anger, chagrin, no
mirth, but an indefnable, powerful
something that sobered me instantly
Catching me IN his arms, he gazed I
second into my eyes, covered my fac
with kisses, and left the mill.
l stood where he placed me like on,
in dream. The first thing / hearl
was little scream, which seemed t.
have been waiting for an opportunity
to escape. This set me laughing
though my tears flowed copiously, and
l was in no cnviable state when reach
ed my room. There could be but one
Interpretation of Mr. Graves conduct
he loved me, and III am the
promised bride of Conrad Mclean.
There is no room In my heart but fol
him, " I said, resolutely, answering my
mental query aloud. h
Uncle came to tea alone.
"Where is Herbert ~ asked Aunt
Martha.
"He was obliged to leave hurriedly
on business, and wished me to say to
Elsie here he hoped she would pardon
his rudeness 1 told him she wouldn't t
think i'll of him for leaving without
adieus when business demanded. That
was right, eh ~
Perfectly right, uncle, answered,
but saw much more in Herbert Graves
message than did they.
Several days elapsed, and Herbert
did not return. had avoided the mill
since he left, but could no longer re-
sist the desire to go thither. Pushing
open the door, walked In. The 81
lence thrilled me; and, seated in the
window overlooking the brook, 1 lean
ed my head against the old worn frame,
and knowing I was far out of hearing,
az shut up the door and my ears;
And opened my heart and my tears"
-ssWhatis the matter, Elsiel" Start
ing, Hooked up to see Mr.. Grave be-
side me. Without waiting for my re-
ply, he continued; 81 have something
% say to you. nae1
There was none of the bashfuln ess
eft as, seating himself beside me, he
iook my hand, and, touching the dia-
nond cluster, asked !.
.'Has that ring any significance,
Elsie I"
If ever 1 was tempted to falsify, it
vas then; but the stern honor looking
It me through Herbert's black eyes
orced the answer, ss Yes"
.sWill you tell me what it signifies ?"
Richard was himself again, and re-
lied. carelessly at shows am en-
,aged to marry Mr.. Mclean. Would
Iou like to see his picture?n
/" I would.
Drawing ssphoto" from my pocket |
Iiary, gave it to him. After few
moments contemplating, he said
"Do you love this man 2"
: "Of course
He gave me asearching look. 'sElsie,
ould you love me q"
I felt the blood mount to my cheeks,
S my eyes fell before his.
You forget am engaged.
!" IF you were not engaged, Elsie /
ell me how it would be if you were
0t engaged ~ ~
He bent toward me eagerly, and
laced his arm around my waist. The
snse of..propriety my mother had in
ulcated was touched, and 1 left my
eat.
"But, Mr.. Grave, / am engaged
He turned away. There was a mo-
rents silence. Presently he said, ad-
ancing:-
''Forgiye me, Miss Hayes. 1 have
lsulted your constancy, but you know
le motive that prompted Shall see
on to the house 2"
That evening Herbert bade me good
y, saying he should not return. grew
sstless after his departure, and left for
tew York.
c. ,---,.1-z .a-xo.1 @<, Il. - -. I1,-f
my tastes had altered during
le summer months. Mr.. Mclean did
Of satisfy me- The engagement was
roken of, and in a short time I was
'rgotten for another. The winter
ragged. At the first breath of June
started for Maryland At Fern Dell
was made welcome, and very thank
lily I received its hospitalities.
After the first words of greeting,
mt remarked: "I am very sorry
erbert cannot be here to keep thee
but his business in Boston
i'll not permit him to leave.n Did l
ret ~ |,
Early the next morning fastened to
le old mill, peered into every nook
Id corner, till at length espied lad
sr, before unknown. Ascending it i
und myself near the rafter from which !
erbert had watched my dancing, /,
bile close under the caves lay book,
arped and mouldy. Securing the prise, (
deeended to the window. 1t proved 1
be book of poems. Upon the fly
af was written the name of Herbert
rave, and beneath, 90 Elsiel dislike
e not for my complexion, the shad-
VS. iv'ry of the banish'd sum- The
sart of the gnarled oak is sound, and ,
,urs,n dated the year before. |
sDear Herbert Noble Herbertr I
led, kissing the faded characters,
en started. .lest I had been overheard.
ut, no, / was monarch of all 1 survey
|, and silence my prime minister
fter that the old mill became my |
ecca, where I wrote, read, or sewed,
inclination prompted. $50
Thus month passed. One beauti- ,
l morning, sketch-book in hand, 1
Isconsed myself in the old window, 1
1T soon my thoughts and eyes wander
j. far away. A leaf came floating
,wn the stream, and, thinking aloud, 1
said, dreamily: HHerbert used to {
II such leaves old prediudices, that
are cast of, and went floating away
the stream of reason. Thus my '
:. L