The Portland daily press., 1872-05-18

ment and timidity which she had not before
shown, but which Harvey thought became
her wonderfully. - .,.,.,,r.-Eg
There is one more favor" he added, with
little hesitation, (which would like to ask
of you. Would you object to give me your
address ?''
''Not at ALL" she answered, frankly; and
gave it accordingly. He thanked her gravely,
bowed again as he might have done to a OUCH
ess, and walked away. The next day he was
at his office in Boston, and she at her busy,
responsible post in great Lowell mill
For just one week Middleton turned things
over in his mind. The result was a resolu-
ton and letter. The last was addressed to
Miss Olympia Tucker, and contained dis
tinct and straightforward proposal of mar
riage. He recalled himself modestly to the
lady's recollection, referring to the journey
they had taken together, and declared that
the impression which she had made upon
him was such that he ardently wished to
journey through life in her company. He
told her who and what he was, his family,
BUSINESS and fortune; Enclosed the addresses
of several persons through whom she might,
if she wished, satisfy herself in regard to his
character and standing; and concluded with
an earnest request that she would permit him
to visit her: The letter, notwithstanding its
abrupt and rather business-like character,
was gentlemanly and respectful, and one
which almost any lady might feel fattered to
receive. F4l On t.tF ~3 100. E.a-- l
When it was sent he waited in a veritable
fever OF Impotence for the reply A week,
almost another, elapsed before it came. He
tore it open; his suit was rejected!
The keenness of his disappointment almost
surprised himself. He had hardly been aware
how deeply his feelings and his fancy were in
terested In this woman, whom he had known
but for one day, and who had begun by Of
Tending his social prejudices and his fastidi-
business almost to the point of disgust. He
took up her letter and read it again. It was
written somewhat stiffiy, as if it had cost its
author good deal of trouble, and now and
then word might not be spelled quite cor
rectly; but it was modest, womanly letter,
dignifed from its very simplicity. She thank
ed him sincerely for the compliment of his
preference, though she felt compelled to de-
cline his proposal. She had not done SO has
THY; she had considered his offer well. She
did not even affect to conceal from him that
it had strong temptations for her--a poor.
Woodworking girl, struggling single handed
with the world. But she did not think it
would be right for her to purchase ease and
enjoyment for herself in that way. She was
not educated for the circle to which he be-
longed, and if she were to take him at his
perhaps hasty word he might regret it some
day. Hu
Harvey read this letter over great many
times. He thought he saw that it was not SO
much any positive objection to himself which
had decided her rejection of his suit as the
womanly shrinking from SO hasty an arrange
ment with one whom she knew so little. The
naive confession that his offer had been a
temptation touched him. Her life ,cas labor
ious and full of care; there could be little
brightness in it. Yet when he thought of all
oho bod 90 i n
the gay courage with which she faced her lot.
the cheerful helpfulness, the gentle kindness
that never failed, his heart swelled with ten
der admiration. "She is the only woman on
earth for me, y he exclaimed, ''and, by Heay-
en-, will win her yetr' -.
And he set himself to do SO as earnestly.
though not quite SO precipitately, as before.
He went to Lowell every week till midsum-
mer, and then he astonished his numerous
friends, including his sisters-in-law, by the
announcement of his marriage. Curiosity
ran high in regard to his choice but it was
baffied for time, for he took his bride
abroad Immediately, and they were absent
three years. You may well believe those
three years were not wasted by wo-
man of Lymp fuckers energy ard abli-
ty. She had shrewdness, tact, and readiness
of imitation. She only needed good models
to shape herself into lady. Indeed, all the
essential elements Of lady's character were
in her to begin with, and education drew
them out. Accordingly she is at this present
writing not only the handsomest woman of
my acquaintance, but very nearly the most
elegant. She does not laugh so loud as she
did, but her smile is dazzling. Her voice is
pitched somewhat lower, but it has lost none
OF its heartiness. She has leaning toward
magnifceRce in her dress, but is quoted as a
model of good taste She is the pride of her
husband, who has been growing younger all
these ten years, and the fond mother of three
splendid boys. Her sisters-in-law refer to her
as kind of oracle in all questions of taste
and good-breeding. She is gracious and
hospitable hostess in a luxurious home, and
living illustration of the fact that there is no
place Yanke girl will not fill as if she were
born to it, in spite of the most unfavorable
circumstances.-Hd WeekN.