The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-11-01

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young man ever was.
But the strangest part Of the af-
fair, to observing eyes, was, that, in
proportion as young Mason grew
popular and successful eEeryWay, his
cheerfulnesss seemed to decline.
Though friendly with every one, be
was confidential with none. Though
he must have known thst his sd-
dresses would be well received in
certain influential quarters, he paid
court to none Of the beauties Of Go
pherton. Miss HALEY herseR-to
whom Gossip had begun to assign
him, because it could not assign him
elseWhere-Was extremely puzzled
by his demeanor. She had SUM
mered and Wintered him" and never
found any occasion to think other
wise than well of him. She enjoyed
his handsome face opposite her at
table, his pleasant ways and fine
singing, She was forced to confess
that "her boy" (she had almost con-
quered that romance now) was q
very delightful person for q friend,
but not in the least what she imag-
ined a lover-her lOVer-must be.
She could even be sorry for him
sometimes, he seemed SO sad and
pre-occupied, though she did not
know how he demanded her sympa-
thy. Perhaps, after all, it was only
her imagination. Perhaps he was
too much IS as figures. Perhaps he
was hOmesick. Ahl who held the
strings of his heart in the old homer
Then Miss Haley mused again, and
declared to herself that she was sor-
ry for him, but not the least interest
ed in him; that is to say, not the
least in love with him.
Summer fed; winter followed;
and May came back once more. The
Sabbath School Superintendent de-
creed a picnic; and once again, as
il the previous years, the whole Of
respectable .Gopherton turned out
to eat, drink, dance, swing, and sing,
among the whispering pines. All
these things had been done, and
thoroughly enjoyed also,when some
hoW-she never quite knew how it
happened-Miss HALEY had strayed
away, as usual, to quieter places, and
found herself standing with Mr.. Ma
son, upon the identical spot where
she had found him the year before.
When she perceived that this was
the place, she laughed little, not
to seem to think anything Of it, and
said, rather saucily:
II found a man under these bushes
last year. An odd thing to find; was
it not?" =
'Do you keep what you find, Miss
Halley?' asked Mason, quietly, but
with certain intensity Of express
sion in his voice.
"That is the children's rule" she
answered, smiling; 'slestways, if no
owner can be found. have not ad-
vertised my 'fnd,' thinking if he
had an owner, he would return Of
himself"
"And if he had no owner, would
you keep him? Please answer me
candldly, Miss Haley"
| Oh, / don't know, l am sure. It
would depend upon his value,
wouldn't itY'
"And you do not value me very
highly-is that your answerT
"No; Of course, I value you-you
know 2 do. I am quite certain
have shown it. But in this sense
that you put it''-she added, blush
ing and faltering-
"You do Hot9 Miss HALEY, I wish,
instead of saving my life, you had
: tumbled me down this cliff. was
unconscious Of my misery then.
shall always be conscious Of il
now.
} "Why should you be miserable
: Mr.. MasonP I have never seen any
, one with greater chances Of happi
ness"
Because the one thing 1 coveted
r 1 can not have. 1t is the old story
The desire of the moth for the
star
"Ah, now you are not like my
boy whom I found under thes'
bushes last year. He was a delight
ful fellow-cheerfu and friendly al
ways, and did not want to be rolled
over a Cliff. Fie, Mr.. Mssoni Lef
US go away directly, before some
thing happens to u.s."
Miss HALEY was piqued that hel
t lover had snatched at such words az
could be construed into a refusal
Again she said to herself: "He is no
my ideal of lover. My lover must
have ardor enough to press his suit
I will never go half way" AnC
still the resolution cost her nothing
She was disappointed and a littl'
bitter. Why had he spoken at all, i
he did not mean to have it made
t clear? She was sure she should nevel
: accept him. He had surprised her
and hurt her pride; he was, in fact
altogether odious now.
These reflections, very much jun
bled together, were passing through
Miss Halley's mind while she beat
the ground with her parasol, waiting
for Mr.. Mason to move. Suddenly
she tuned back. He was standing
dangerously near the brink of the
? precipice-so frightfully near ths-
+: her terror oYercame every other con
) sideration. Pale and bEeathless, ,shl
f stretched out her hand to him.
"Come, for Gods sakeP'
: "Say for my sake, Marion" b
+, answered, pale as she.
o "For. 2ly sake, Walter, " she slmOs
shrieked, and then burst into tears
t like any silly woman.
In an instant he was at her side
+ his arms around her. If she hsl
| thought him lacking in fervor AM
: the lovers pride and tenacity 0
e possession before, she invoked tina
i opinion now. The change wa
9 wonderful. He was so elate that b
t seemed to tread on air, and bear he
e along with him. His beauty, Whicl
: had seemed to fade away lately, ,greV
| resplendent- Miss HALEY, Whel
t her eyes were clear again, looked q