The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1872-01-18

OFegOfy, with OOylsn glee, Tor Verl-
ly the holidays make children OF
US all. "Happy New Year! and
Witch, Leslie is waiting for you"
How soon she was ready for the
drive. It would be cruel to keep
him waiting, you know, and she is
gone. Ethel and Gregory are left
alone. She sings for him, she plays
his favOrite airs, and remarks that
Witch has more talent for music
than she. Then she comes back to
the fire and warns her chilled
hands. He observes her attentiveIy,
and thinks-well, what?
This is what he says:
"Do you know, Ethel, that I am
always happy here-happier than any
where else? I never knew what
contentment and rest of mind were
till I found them in this room. 1
have been thinking that if the
last few months were not part Of
my life, it would all have been in
vain"
Ethel bIushed. "Why don't you
tell Witch ?''
"Tell Witch ! Pray, why should
I tell her? Can she influence you
more than 1? Shall 1 ask her to
press my suit? Let Kings and
Princes send ambassadors, but I love
you, Ethel-I love youP
His words were earnest, his voice
rich, yea, thrilling. The frelight
danced, the flames threw fantastic
shadows on the walls, the cricket
chirped disconsolately, the bronze
clock licked away the seconds and
chimed away the hours, unheeded
by the twain. No words struck dis
cord in the silent, inaudible thanks
giving Of new-fOund love, till Witch
came in, her face aglow, and her
eyes full of Iustrous light. She was
a vision of grace and beauty, Leslie
thought, as she told how charming
the night was, and how delightful
the sleighing would be for many
days yet.
Into the "charming" night, Les
lie and Gregory took their way.
Witch, who seldom kept golden
silence, exclaimed, Congratulate
me, EtheI! I am Henry Leslie's
promised BRIDE"
Ethel started. "Yet I needn't be
surprised. You have loved him all
along, Witch"
"TO be sure, but I never knew
till now hOl0 much. It was all un-
expected. We were driving very
fast, and he said, "How long shall
this sleigh-ride last?"
I told him I wouldn't care if it
should last lifetime. Don't look
so horror-strieken! Of course 1
could have said something else with
more propriety. But, you see, I
didn't think, or rather thought aloud.
At any rate, said it. He answer
ed, as seriously and tenderIy as you
can imagine, "ImpossibIe, Witch
There are adverse breezes, summer
heats, and perilous storms to be en-,
countered in a lifetime. But they
would be easier to meet and endure
with yOu, my love! Sometimes [
think such affection as mine must
win you. May I hope ?"
"Oh, Ethel; am afraid to say
how happy lam I wonder if he
will tell Gregory, and what he will
say. Do you think he will care so
very much I hope not. I tried
to love him, because I was vain
enough to wish every one to say
had made a great conquest; but
have made a greater one. 1 love, 1 am
loved; What more shall mortal ask?
Do you think Gregory will be so
very miserable ?"
Ethel smiled. 81 will try and
console him." a
ooh, do, my very dear sister !
And papa will be so surprised.
Wouldn't he prefer Gregory, Eth
eI p"
"Perhaps, Witch, he may have
him for a sOn-in-law yet"
"Never No power on earth
could take me from Henry"
"Well, but no power on earth will
attempt that !"
Witch was perpIexed. A light
dawned slowly in her benighted
mind. and she said,
"He might love you?"
"And doesr'answered her sister.
Witch comprehended the situa-
ton, and accepted it with char
acteristic bravery:
81 shall know hereafter where
I bestOw sympathy. 1 am glad,
Ethel I am rejoiced! But don't
tell him that 1 sighed over his
wasted affections; such a fall hath
my vanity suffered"
And thus was effected the "Ex-
change of Confidence"
Many worthy and sensible peO-
pie will glance at the title, read a
few lines and cast the paper aside,
because forsooth / it contains a Glove
.storyw Yes, dear friends, aud I
send it out to float along with the
great, unfathOmable sea Of litera-
ture, trusting that its Precepts may
strengthen the weak, and teach how
grand and noble an emotion is love.
In the great play of Life, given, time,