Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-02-07

llIlc IL VIII bdke 10 no H. hohomuOi,
the catastrophe must be reached by that
time. Some one else will probably want
my ear"
"But," said he, "listening is not the
only duty of confdante; you must aid
me by your counsel. Only woman may
say how a woman may be won"
"You have my sympathies, MIR. Tre'
mont, on the score of your being very
dear brothers friend know nothing
of her--next to nothing OF you. l can
neither counsel nor aid you"
"That brother is familiar with every
page of my outward life.history. 1t was
in our family he spent his vacation, while
you and your father were travelling In
| Europe"
"Well, then, that will do about youl-
self. Now about herr"
The door bell was rung; the waiter
announced-well, my obliging brother
has already given enough of his name
''Mr. ]. B." MY confessor withdrew.
The next morning, as | was bringing
the freshened flower-vases into The sitting
room, he brought out my bag, saying,
Now about her."
opened the piano, repeated his favor
ite, kept my seat and cultivated my roses
vigorously.
tAIiss =" he began, 81 would not
knowingly give pain to human crea-
ture. Yesterday, when your visitor found
me by your side, l observed frown on
his face. 1 detest obtrusiveness, but If
there is anything in the relation in. which
! you stand to each other which will make
my attentions Objectionable TO- either OF
you, they shall cease this moment. You
are at perfect liberty to repeat to him
every word l have said to you"
| ttT thanh Hycti oincaralU for V11r pOn-
siderateness," said. "I am under no
obligations of the kind to him or any
other gentleman.
He introduced his topic by saying: "I
am glad that shall have to say little
more of myself. Oh, what a strange joy
it is to be able to speak unreservedly OF
her, and of the long pentup hopes and
fears of the past yearsl And now, if yoS
will assist me in interpreting her conduct
toward me-if yeu will inspire me with
even faint hope of success--f you VIII
| advise me as you would a brother how to
proceed-gratitude will be too weak a
word for my feeling toward you for the
remainder of my life"
81 have not vet sufficient light on her
part of the affair to aid you by advice, "
| answered. 'In these slowly develop
ing love.affairs there is usually but one
great hindering cause. Do you know"
said, laughing as much as dared look
ing into his woe-begone face, 'that you
have not told me what has passed be.
tween you ?"
His moment or two of death silence
made me almost regret my last words.
"In the first of our acquaintance was
ever tortured by her indifference. My
first attentions were quietly received,
never encouraged. Then came the still
more torturing fear-agony let me call
it-lest she was pre.engaged. Thank
God That burden was lifted from my
poor heart but only, it seemed, to make
room for the very one of all in the cata
logue of causes by which lovers hope
tdies beyond the possibility of resurrec
tion. 1t is the rock-no, fear the placlo
waters of friendship into which my
frieghted bark is now driftIng-whicf
may lie between it and the bright isle oi
love, the safe harbor he shudderedl
not the blissful possession"
Reader, the roses were not growing
under my needle my sympathies we're a
i last fully enlisted.
"You have we'll said," I answered
Friendship is the nine notch in which
, lover makes mo count in the game o.
hearts. But steer bravely past these darl
gulfs of despair. Have you ever had re
. | y
inquired.
! 81 scorn such base ally. Your broth
er can tell you am here partly because
, would avoid increasing an affection in an
t other which cannot return"
"Does she know of that?" asked, no
at all prepared in my own mind to yielC
f the potency of the ally in my sincere de
sire to aid him by this test Of woman
{ affection.
eyes; I have no reason, however, TO
y thinking that the fact has raised her esti
mate of the article" he said, making
poor attempt to smile.
! felt ashamed of my suggestion, ant
, said quickly, "You correspond, of course
/ how are her letters" Now | was sure o
my safest clue in finding her out.
I at was through the medium of he
+ letters that first obtained my knowledg
of her mind, her temperament, he
disposition, her admirable domestic viz
. tues; for they were written without re
serve. They excited my highest admira
ton; they stimulated my desire to know
, more of her; but they contain no word o
love for me-"
r His want of boldness almost excited m,
contempt. My skill was bafiled on ever,
' side, and, not caring much to conceal m
impatience, l said, "You have asked m
e to admire you as would my brother. Sh
is cold and selfish; give her up"
4 "Give her upr' he said with measure,
t and emphatic slowness-"give her up
. when have sought her beneath ever
a cline on which the sun shines-not fo
D months, but for years? Give her uI
Q when her presence gives me all hav
j. ever known Of happiRessP Giver her upl
< and he leaned his head on the back of hi
Y chair and closed his eyes.
! had imagined him gifted with wor
derful self-control, but when looked u
@ from my work all color had faded froI
his cheeks, the lips seemed ready {
a yield the little blood left there by tn
v clinch of the white teeth upon then
r while every muscle of the face quivere
with spasmodic effort to control emotion
, When the eyes were opened and fixed o
e the ceiling, l saw no trace in them {
n anger, revenge, or even ofwounded pride
They we're full of tears, ready to gush i
/ one last flood-tide of feeling over sui
dued, chastened, but breaking heart.
1t was very evident that my treatmer
8. was not adding much comfort to m
r. patient however salutary it might prov
Y in the end. I knew of his intention
leave the next day; there was little tin
/: left me to aid him, and had come to r
IS gard the unknown womans mysterior
l. nature or strategic warfare as pitte
against my superior penetration, That /
It might be victorious she must be val
is quished. She was, then, my antagonis
d The deepening twilight was producir
chilliness. l flooded the room with bri
?, liant light, stirred the CRATE into glowir
e; warmth, and invited him to seat nei
is the fire.
m "You will not leave me. will yol
a This may bet UM be-my last demar
on you as a confidante. How is the bo
ID quet progressing ?" he asked.
At "See," / said, holding my embroidel
up before me; 1--WE must hurry. ha'
se but one more tendril to add"
At "Tendrils are clingihg things, like hop
ID are they notS" he said pensively.
N But sentimentaliZing was not the bus
=. nnaa of the hnnr and intimatnd (