Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-03-16

At length L conquered, and we tOOi
our places. A merry time we had. HI
was evidently unaccustomed to "tril
the light fantastic toe. Round an(
round the mill 1 went, while he cam,
hopping and stamping after me in sucl
a ludicrous manner, / stopped ant
gave full vent to my mirth. Herber
laughed also. declaring he felt like {
Shanghai looking for o rose-bug.
Every day we repaired to the mill fo
an hour or SO of merrymaking. A
length, began to teach him the "gal
op." He found it more difficult thar
any of the others and, after many in
sffectual attempts at the round step, h
wound up by stepping on his own toes
tripping himself up, and cutting I
spread eagle.
1 was convulsed with laughter, beinl
Just able to gasp out =" Lo. graz,
subject is upon the floor.
/ He sprang to his feet, and with 1
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 {
second into my eyes, covered my fac'
with kisses. and left the mill.
1 stood where he placed me like one
in dream. The first thing / heart
was little scream, winch seemed Il
have been waiting for an opportunity
to escape. This set me laughing
though my tears flowed copiously, and
was in no enviable state when reach
ed my room. There could be but ont
Interpretation of Mr.. Graves conduct
He loved me, and I2-"I am the
promised bride of Conrad Mclean
There is no room in my heart but fol
him." said, resolutely, answering my
mental query aloud.
Uncle came to tea alone.
"Where is Herbert q" asked Aunt
| Martha.
HE was obliged to leave hurriedly
on business, and wished me to say tC
Elsie here he hoped she would pardon
his rudeness. / told him she wouldn'i
think ill of him for leaving without
adieus when business demanded. That
was right, chi"
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 mil
since he left, but could no longer re
sist the desire to go thither. Pushing
open the door, I walked in. The 81
lence thrilled me; and, seated in the
window overlooking the brook, lean
ed my head against the old worn frame
and knowing was far out of hearing
"I shut up the door and my ears;
And opened my heart and my tears"
.sWhat is the matter, Elsiei" Start
ing, looked up to see Mr.. Grave be
side me. Without waiting for my re
ply, he continued; 81 have something
to say to YOU"
There was none of the bashfuln ess
left as, seating himself beside me, he
took my hand, and, touching the dia
mond cluster, ask sd:-
Has that ring any significance,
Elsie :"
III ever was tempted to falsify, II
was then but the stern honor looking
at me through Herbert's black ewes
| forced the answer, " Yes"
"Will you tell me what it signifies r.
Richard was himself again, and re
piled. carelessly: at shows am en-
gagged to marry Mr.. Mclean. Would
you like to see his picturel"
! "I would"
Drawing ''photo" from my pocket
diary, gave it to him. After few
moments contemplating, he said
"Do you love this man Z"
"Of course
He gave me searching look. 'Elsie
could you love mel"
\ / felt the blood mount to my cheeks,
as my eyes fell before his.
"You forget / am engaged"
eff you were not engaged, Elsie
Tell me how it would be if you were
not engagedl"
He bent toward me eagerly, ani
placed his arm around my waist. The
sense of.'propriety my mother had in
culcated was touched, and left my
seat.
"But, Mr.. Grave, an, engaged"
He turned away. There was a mo
ment's silence. Presently he said, ad
vancing:-
"Forgive me, Miss Hayes. hav
insulted your constancy, but you know
the motive that prompted. Shall 1 Sc
you to the house 2"
That evening Herbert bade me good
by, saying he should not return. Igrey
restless alter his departure, and left 70
] New York.
A few weeks served to show me hoy
materially my tastes had altered during
the summer months. Mr. Mclean die
not satisfy me. The engagement wa
broken of, and in q short time wa
forgotten for another. The winte
dragged. At the first breath Of Jun
I started for Maryland. At Fern Del
was made welcome, ana very thank
fully received its hospitalities.
/ After the first words of greeting
aunt remarked: "I am very sorr
Herbert cannot be here to keep the
company, but his business in Bostol
viii not permit him to leave" Did
carel
Early the next morning fastened
the old mill, peered into every moo
der, before unknown. Ascending it
found myself near the rafter from whic
, Herbert had watched my dancing
: while close under the caves lay book
warped and mouldy. Securing the prise
} decended to the window. It prove
to be book of poems. Upon the q
leaf was written the name of Herbel
} Grave, and beneath, go Elsiel 'dislik
: me not for my complexion, the shad
ow's iv'ry of the banish'd sum- Th
J heart of the gnariod oak is sound, an
yours" dated the year before.
5 Dear Herbert Noble Herbert"
: cried, kissing the faded character
. then started. lest had been overheard
! But, no, / was monarch of all / survey
ed, and silence my prime ministe
t After that the old mill became m
Mecca, where / wrote, read, or sewei
l as inclination prompted.
: Thus month passed. One beaut
9 full morning, sketch-book in hand,
a ensconsed myself in the old windov
5 but soon my thoughts and eyes wande
: ed far away. A leaf came foatin
down the stream, and, thinking alout
I said, ,dreamily Herbert used
& coll euch leaves old rradiudicas fh,