The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-06-24


/ think she felt littly sorry for me, for she
said "Yes, very sweetly and veyr patronizingly,
and think, too, that sons what redeemed my
self in her eyes, by acting very calamity that
evening, without making any more very serious
blunders.
Time wore or aud at last the tender passion
began to develop on my part at an alarming rate
1t grew, it swelled, it demanded to be confessed.
But to whom! surely Eot to Lilly. She could
never consent to link her fortunes with such a
blanderer as /. No. it was impossible now, i'm.
possible forever! The flame that love had kin.
died within my bosom must die away for want
Of sympathetic fuel or else consume my hope.
less life, and add my name to the list of martyrs
whom the SWORN in the bud" hath carried to re-
gretful tombs.
Happy the man who, being in love, hath a
confessor! I had Fred. l called him to my
| room, and under promise of eternal secresy told
him all. All my hopes, all my fears and all my
cash, which, as have said, considerable of
an impediment. l asked him what to do, and
he said he didn't know. Then, to cap the eli
max, he made me his oonfessor, and asked me
:he same question l felt for the poor boy. and
told him to so directly to nay cousin, giving him
every assurance Of success. How easily was all
this for him; how hard for me! He took my
advice and was accepted, whilst / wandered
aimlessly in the midst of uncertainty, without
! guide or compass.
In the meantime I smothered my love- ard
called on Lilly as often possible. How incon-
slstent this seems to DE sure but how incon-
sistent when We in love. Lilly, dear girl.
did not throw cold water on my advances and
thus l was miserably happy from weeks
end to the other. At last l summoned up all
my courage, borrowed as much as I could from
rcmances and essays on the general subject of
true manhood, and determined to know my fate
As soon as an opportunity offered.
| 1t offered differently from what expected.
| They were going to have picnic and excur.
sion to the lake. Preparations were being made
on grand scale, and all Napoleon was happy
| in the prospect of deli yhtfu time. The day
dawned clear and rosy and the white gosslmer
clouds tioated laziJy along the blue surface of
the ethereal sea. How lovely did Lilly look, as
she came tripping down the broad wAlks dressed
| in felds-as it seemed to me-of dreamy, snowy
muslin, with bit of pink ribbon here and there,
just where it was wanted to give the best effect,
| and nowhere else. How precious did she seem
| as handed her into the buggy and took my seat
beside her, half crszed in the delicious trans.
ports of her presence eyes, dearest Lilly"
thought, II will love you forever; and if heaven
50 smile on me that you consent to DO my wife,
| will lay my life at your bidding to make you
happy"
Those were bissful hours But, oh, they
passed 30 swiftly and terminated so abruptly
before we know it the hour for returning had
come.
Lilly" said l. "you havn't had sail to-day
Will you take one with me before we 90 home ?"
"1es," she said; "if you will not stay long on
the water"
"Just as long as you wish, and no longer" I
said, afdeHttlly. |
We were soon in the boat, and pulled easily
along until we were nearly half mile from
shore.
Hadn't we better go back ?" suggested Lilly.
turned the boat and headed for the landing.
The sun was yet some distance above the noun
tains but was fast sinking down amid pillows of
radiant, golden clouds that were transfused with
his glory. The air was still and calm, and the
waters were like shield Of FURNISHED silver,
save where the sun had in her splendor gilded
blazing band across. Lilly caught the inspira-
| ton OF She scene, and with voice sweet as the
| witching tones of Orpheus' Tyre, and tremulous
with ecstacy, sang with soft flowing csdences.
ooh, Lilly. Lilly am l worthy of such prize
| as thou art 2"
We were near the shore much ne ,rer than | |
| expected. was looking at Lilly--teasting my
ever hungry eyes on her surprising beauty, and |
wondering, doubling, fearing.
| But the course Of true love never did run |
smooth, which proverb may, I suppose, be con-
| strued to mean that it was meyer sailed smooth |
| ly over, neither. Ours wasn't.
We were, as l said, near the shore and | was
watching my darling Lilly. had Just reused
myself to the highest pitch of my resolution,
and was about to propose in elegantly rounded
phrase, when, to use boatman's expression, II
caught crab" 1t was "A moment of Impulse
with me, and my overstrung resolution centred
in my arm. gave strong, vigorous jerk and
over we went. Alas for pink ribbons and MUS
Inns now Alas for romance The fire of the
sun was quenched in water bath, and the
| clouds only reflected themselves, dancing mock.
ingly in the ripples that caused by our
plunge. 1t was only fish pond now, and not
bit of silver shield-a mere fish pond, and fortu.
natey very shallow one.
We waded out, and sat down on the rock. to
drip oft II little before starting for home We
neither spoke looked ut each other for u
time-ln fact, my eyes were not at all hungry
just now, nor thirsty either, for that matter.
Pretty soon heard a subducd laugh-a rip
ping one, was going to say-but that smacks
too much OF our misfortune and then sweet
voice said
"How ridiculous"
Lilly" ventured, "lm brute. don't de.
serve even your acquaintance, much less your
friendship. I'm sorry, Lilly, really am. But
you looked so beautiful that forget everything
else. l don't know what to say, Lilly but I'll
do anything in the earthly world to atone for
this"
81 don't ask you to do anything, Lew. | know
was indirectly to blame for it," she answered
roguishly.
This emboldened me a little. Then YOU
know, too, that love you, Llly-loye you bet.
ter than do my lile and that have longed to
know whether you love me in return. Tell me,
Lilly, are you willing to take me in the face OF