The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-08

ton, she led the way across the fields the
whole company taking up their line of
march behind her.
Arrived, after considerable difficulty, at
the farmhouse, they had tho satisfaction
of learning that they must wait at least
two hours for the repair of the broken
wheel, and that they were still five miles
of the halfway housGwhere they had ex-
pected to take dinner. OF course they
were oil nearly famished after riding so
long in the cold. The good.woman of the
house seemed well disposed to supply
their wants..
The rest Of their journey was accom-
plished without accident, though not with
ont delays, and it was quite dark before,
weary and mud. .bespattered, they reached
the town where they were to part and 60
their separate ways. They had left the
stage, and Miss Tucker stood in the piazza
of the public.house giving some directions
about her luggage, when Middleton ap-
preached and, taking off his hat, addressed
her. ..... .....
Pardon me-" he said, ''if | use too
great freedom. You do not know me,
but l have seen too many proofs of your
goodness to-day not to feel that / know
you. I sec that you have kindly taken
under your protection the poor woman
and her child who rode with us, and !
am anxiousto share with you the pleasure
of assisting her. Here Is 10 small sum OF
money, which you will oblige me by
spending for her use and a card with
my address. II at any time ! can be Of
further service to her, you will do Inc n
favor by letting me know"
The young woman took the card and
the crisp bank-note that accompanied it,
and expressed her thanks with dash d
embarrassment and timidity which she had
not before shown, but which Harvey
thought became her wonderfully.
"There is one more favor" he added,
with little hesitation, (which | would
like to ask Of you. Would you object to
give me your addresslh
"Not at ALL" she answered frankly, and
gave it accordingly. lie thanked her
grnyely, bowed again as he might have
done to a duchess, and walked away. The
next day he was at his Office in Boston.
and she at her husy, responsible post in a
great Lowell mill.
For just one week Middleton turned
things over in bis mind. The result was a
resolution and letter. The last was ad-
dressed to Miss Olympia Tucker, and con-
tanned distinct and straightforward pro-
posal Of marriage. lie recalled himself
modcstly TO the lady's recollection, refer.
ing to the journey they had taken togeth.
or, and declared that the impression which
she had that day 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 for
tune ; inclos,d the addresses Of several per-
sons, through whom she might, II 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, not.
withstanding its abrupt and rather busi-
ness like character, was gentleuanly and
respectful, and one which almost any lady
might feel aattCred to receive.
when 1t was sent he waited in a vcrita-
bic fever Of impatience for the reply. A
week, almost another elapsed before it
came. lie tore 1t open: his suit was re-
jccted
The keenness Of his disappointment al.
most surprised himself. He had hardly
been aware how deeply bis feelings and his
fancy were interested In this woman, whom
he had known but for one day, and who
had begun BY offending his social prCju.
dccs and his fastidiOusncis almost to the
point Ol disgust. lie took up her letter
and read II again. 1t was written some
what stiilly, as II It had cost It's author n
good deal Of trouble, and now and tllcn a
word might not be spelled quito correctly 1;
but it was modest womanly letter, digni-
fled from its very simplicity. She thanked
him sincerely for the compliment Of his
preference, though she felt compelled to
decline his proposal. She had not done so
hastily; she had considered his offer well.
She did not even affect to conceal from
him that it had strong temptations for her
"A poor hard working girl, struggling
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 belonged, and IL she
were to take him Mt bis perhaps hasty
word, he might regret it some day. Then
too, he had right to the love as well as
to the respect of the woman whom he
should make his wife; and she could not
pretend to give that to a man whom a
week ago she had never thought of in any
such relation. She should always feel
grateful to him for tue honor he had in.
tended her, and she wished him all manner
of prosperity and happiness with some wo-
man who would be better suited to him
than she. ........
Harvey read this letter over a great
many times. lie thought he saw that 1t
was not SO much any positive objection to
himself which had decided her rejection to
hi, suit as the womanly shrinking from so
hasty an arrangement with one whom she
knew solittle. The naive confession that
his offer had been n temptation touched.
him. Her life isdS labOriouS and full Of
care there could BE- little brightness in 1t.
Yet when he thought Of all she had done
and been to Others, and recalled the gay
courage with which she laced her lot, the
cheerful helpIulness, the gentle kindness
that never failed, bis heart swSlled with
tender admiration. "Shc is the only wo-
man on earth for me- he exclaimed " and
by heaven, will win her yet"
And he set himself to do so as earnestly
though not quito so precipitately as before
lie went to Lowell every week till mid
summer, and then lie astoniihcd his numcr.
Gus friends, including bis sistcrs-in-law,
by the announcement of his marriage,
Curiosity ran high in regard to his choice
- AZ a.