Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-04-15

:" Bat any Hover would LOOK wei theie "hu
most fortunately here are some wild roses
quite as pretty as the laurel, | think. VIII
these do?" So .tf
AZ suppos? SO, for want Of something bet
.er," she answered coquettishly "comc, we
will not intradc longer upon Mr.. Shirley, since
he appears inclined for solitndc.". ).
She happened to be standing closer to him
at the moment than the other. -..,,
e Is that my fault, Mary ?" he replied, IN
low voice, to her remark. 30 aqsgii
She turned upon him, her checks flushed,
hor eyes flashing, through half-taars.
:" at least, sir, do not secl; for others soci-
cty,"lshe said warmly. Perhaps you think
that should"
Despite the indignation, there was some
thing of reproach in her look anu tone which
sent thrill of hOpoto Hugh's heart.
"StOp moment" he said quietly, percoiv-
Ing the attention Of the others directed toward
them /" and you shall have your laurel" 90,
81 don't care for it. wont Inconvenience
you7- g., 81
Bu. High was already picking his way o7eg
the marshy ground, and the next moment was
halfway up to the tall and slender laurel tree,
which bent beneath his weight. Reaching up
to the topmost bough, he drew it downward,
broke off Tie coveted laurel blossom, and with
1t descended As his foot touched the ground
end idea occurred To- him.: Tie too; from his
vcst-poclet the slip Of paper on which ho had
written few moments previously seized his
pencil and added these words. II you will
answer "ycs,' Mary, give me this to night,
and don't wear the roses. -,
Then he carefully, though w!'h trembling
fingers, separated the puro white, half-unfold-
ed petals of the laurcl-blossom, deposited the
folded paper within, closed over 1t the petals,
and placed It in Mary's hand. %
"Iook within it, ho said in too low voice
to be heard by the others, ana this time heed
less Of their observation. % Look within-it
bears secret at its heart" .,,., .~
When Mary reached the old farm house close
by, at which the picnic supper and dancing
were 10 be held, she went up directly to little
dressing-room-onc of several appropriated to
the ladies. Here, she was pleased to find her.
self alone, tho first Of the returning walking
party. She bolted the door and threw herself
upon couch. She looked excited, angry
grieyed, defiant, all in one.
"To neglect me SO, she said to herself, pas
sionately. "To become jealous, and doubt mo,
and neglect me, as be has done ever since Mr..
Weston thought proper to pay me some atten-
ton. What could do but pretend not to
care2 And the impudenco Of this last insult I!
LOOK w!tnln. II Dearo secret IN It's hcart!'
Yes Of course--as if had forgotten what we
read together in that Book of Flowers about
my fayoritc laurel The emblem was ambi-
/ tion-and he said pain without but with the
drop Of poison at its heart" That was what
he meant. Just now, Of course IusolontP
She threw the laurel blossom angriy from
her, and hurst into tears. These apparently
calmed, for, when she presently arose, she,
looked half remorseful at the flower, lying
broken and bruised on tho floor. She took it
up, looked at it sadly, until the tears came into
her eyes. -t. .,. 81.
"Yet know he loves me after al, 7 will,
it must come right in the end. will let him
see this evening that don't care for Mr.. Wcs-
ton" .I,.n.
She pressed the flower carefully amid come
folds of paper, and placed it in her BOSOM.
81 wish had not broken it, so that he
might have seen me wearit this evening"
But will tell him, and sometime when we
are happy l will show him hOw carefully l
KEEP: it."
Hugh Shirley was standing at the door Of The
dancing room as she entered. She wore in her
hair the cluster Of wild roses that had been
given her by Mr Weston, but there was no
laurel there. IS she passed him, their eyes
for an instant met. lie was pole, and his face
wore a still stern expression, such. rs she had
never befoye sccu there. Conscious Of her own
changed feelings towards him in tho past hour,
and unwilling that he should read it on her
face, she turned away her head as she passed.
And when she again glanced in that direction,
he vas gone.
On the day following she learned hat Mr..
Shirley had left Riverside-had started for
California-and this without word, mes
sage, token of farewell to herself 81,
For some weeks after this, Mary Morrison
went into society, and appeared as gay as usu-
al But then her cheek palcd, her spirits
dropped, and there followed long spell of
sickness, from the effect of which she appa-
rently did not recover during the winter. And
though the following summer found her re-
stored to health, her old gay spirit had left
The bright though,lcss girl had in less than
year matured into the quiet, thoughtful wo-
man Many admired the change and
sultors were not wanting TO sttes: the power
Of her attraction yet she gave them no en-
couragcmcnt. 81 cannot love any man we'll
enough to become his wife," she said, 81 will
not marry without love-"
So years passed by-two, five, ten, years
Mary Morrison was now tall, elegant, Jgni-
fed women Of twenty-seven-yer old