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

~ IaCCj luuOChs SO C''bi'N ''H'
happy. Who is she, Mrs Rutherford"
MARY Morrison-onc Of our village bellies"
"And, like most bellies, somewhat of a CO.
quctte," said the gentleman, half interrosa-
lively. ..,"
Indeed, never thought so until latoly,"
answered the lady, rather gravely. at Is a
pity"
"Ycs," said the young lady standing by
ats shame, I'm sure wo have all considered
her engaged, or as good as engaged, to Hugh
Shirely-Tand now, only look at her ! A gen.
tleman, too, whom she has not yet known but
a week p ,g.rj .4i -.
But rich and 60 handsome" said another
young lady a city beau, too, Quite a dis
tinctiou In our rustic community" she added
laughing. '1.,,.
"Not worth Hugh Shirley, by half. Amoro
fashionable coxcomb, dare say. am sur
prised that a girl SO good, so sensible as Mary
Morrison would act so.
"Poor Mr. ShirolyI One may see how cut
up he is by it,"
Hugh Shirley, seated little apart from this
group of pic-nickers, and concealed by the in
teryening shrubs had heard every word of this
conversation. Ee now rose and walked slowly
away, but first looked back to where Mary
Morrison was seated or messy rock, lsmiling
and chatting with her new admirer-a Mr..
Weston, " from the city"
How pretty and graceful sho was. as with
flush on her cheek, and an unwontod light in
bo- dnrl, eyns she nlancnd m archlv from he
meath the brim Of the jauuty little gypsy hat
which she wore But the flush seemed fever
ish, aud the bright eyes restless and rneGsy.--
Was she as happy and satisfied as she appear
ed Had she really turned away from him to
whom she had almost plighted her love, and
bestowed it upon this comparative stranger
this acquaintance of a week ? .,.
Hugh Shirley turned away with a sharp,
bitter pang in his heart And then he COM
pressed his lips and walked on with firm de-
tcrmincd step. ..:.4....
81 will know at once, hO muttoreI to him
self, resolutcly. ~. t-.
When out Of sight Of the rest Of tho party,
be seated himself on the fallen .roe-trunk, tore
a slip from leaf of his pockct-bool, and
wrote in style perfectly characteristic Of HIM
self: .,...
"MAny-You know how l love you, must
now know, once for all, whether you love me,
or prefer another Whether you will, in a
word, promise to bo mino-my wife"
l,.. uUaH."
How to get this scrap OF paper to herr He
knew of no one by whom to sendit and now,
whenever he approached her, she was not only
shy and restrained towards him, but their
every look and motion became so conspicuous
ly the mari fo- dozen pair Of eyes, that it
would be impossible to convey the paper, how
soever small into her hand, without it being
perceived by others. And yet he could not
wait he must have her answer this very even
ing, for he had plan in view depending upon
it,, His friend, Workman, would leave to-mor-
row for New York. and thence in a few days,
for California. lie he'd endeavorcd to persuade
Shirley to accompany him, and it had been
alone his love for Mary which had kept him
back.
Hugh, holding in bis hand the slip of paper
upon which so much depended was startled
by the sound Of approaching gay voices, and
his heart thrilled as The next moment Mary
Morrison stood before him, accompanied by
Mr. Weston, and young lady.
"Oh, Mr.. Shirley" exclaimed the latter,
" hope we don't intrude or interrupt any poetic
frenzy. We are looking for flowers to wear in
our hair a. The dance tonight OF course
you'll Be- thoro? treally think that they must
have ,akOu all the wood-fowers to decorate the
: festive hall, for we can scarcely find one
Won't you help u.s. i
Miss Morrison had colored At the sight of |
Hugh and had thon turned abruptly toward !
her escort. ati
ooh" Hugh heard her exclaim suddenly,
" there is laurel-the first have seen, and
my favorite flower. Sec high upon the sum-
nit of that tree. II could only get it"
at is quite oct of reach, unfortunately" /
observed Mr. Weston, glancing up wistfully, .
" and the ground below SO wet and marshy.-
And yet l would give anything to obtain it,
since you wish it."
&" Oh, never mind; dare say it is out Of
reach Yet it looks so pure aud lovely, and
would be so pretty to wear in ones hair
Don't you think so?",
In hair such as yours" he replied, in a
, u m-.r :. ilt, :. ~ a.