The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-03-31

thought that l held tho rest OF tho
honors, including the queen Of hearts.
L did not play euchre in those days.
Jack did this-drove her here-wrote
her all tho news-was perfectly frantic
because she could not return sooner
had the distemper-was in favor of
emancipation-didn't smoke-hsd been
run over by dear Jack-twice bitten
brother Jack, and onco saved from pun
ishment by cousin Jack
What cared / which knave was being
played, 40 long rs 1 could be near this
lovely creature and listen to the merry
rattle OF her musical voice never
troubled myself about which Jack she
was referring to; for aught I know she
might have told mo Jack and The Beam
stalk, Jackthe Giant-kiiier, or my other
equally absurd nonsense. All I saw was
her glorious beauty and beaming smile,
and felt that wns-well, I felt con-
yinced that 1 had made n deep i'm
preston.
1t was upon moonlight night that ]
"went over the falls, after this fashion.
With all her frankness Of manner,
CLARA was not in tho most remote de-
gree unlady-like or forward. She was
what all women should be with our sex
while accepting our respectful SER
vices without restraint, perfectly equal,
but, withal, mover overstepping n GER
tain line, even when admitting us to
what men call "good-fellowship."
OF course, in my youthful egotism, ]
blinded myself to all this: worsliiped
her, shut my eyes, and-over went
She was looking at the moon, and
telling mo quaint conceit about It's in
habitants, while I was gazing upon her
sweet face, and burning for tho moment
to arrive when could tell her how de-
votedly loved her. She pictured n
lunar Arcadia, and had mentally taken
me by the hand and wandered through
its blissful scenes-an angel introducing
the spirit Of lunatic TO his proper
world.
Now, upon my honor, beyond the
freedom Of trust with which she had
from the first moment treated me, I can
most truly soy that Clara Bell had never
given me any reason to believe that she
was in love with me. I was young,
impetuous sailor; she woman accus-
toned to being honored and petted by
q large circle OF friends, and who, re.
membering my profession, had treated
me ms q brother.
am not fond Of confessing my sins
and weaknesses, but do this aJ warn
ing TO other nautical idiots.
"Clara" 1 tremblingly began. She
turned from me, and endeavored to
withdraw her hand, which I had i'm
prisoned rs I uttered her name.
''Claral"
No reply-and upon my life, although
1 had uttered it in q whisper, tho name
seemed to mockingly echo back from
the gloom. However, 1 felt her trem-
BILE.
"Clara-my dear Miss Bell" q was
on the edge Of the fall, ~ am not used
to describing my ordinary feelings, and
these are too deep for titterance- but
from the core Of my heart I love you" |"
/ was over the brink.
Captain !" she exclaimed. This was
quencher.
"Nfiss Bell |" ialtered.
evil you do me favor2" she said.
Now or never, thought I. "T'd die
to-to-"
"You stupid man - she laughed,
''haye I given you any reason why you
should thus address me ?"
"Nfiss Bell, I humbly replied, "most
sincerely do I beg pardon for my pre-
sumption. ~
Turning her laughing face fall upon
me, sho said Captain, l am not
angry with you, but beg that you will
never revert to this again until we ar
rive at Porto Rico, and then you must
tell dear Jack all about it. | am not
angry, for you have shown yourself in
every other way true friend and gem
tleman. I completely forgive this
weakness on your part, and only beg
You will promise me that when We meet
dear Jack you will ask him II he will
agree to what you wish |"
1 was aoundering about in tho "boil"
at the foot Of the mental Niagara, and
she had, by her womanly tact, rs
1t were, fshcd me out and landed me.
"But to which Jack am I to confess ?"
1 cried, beginning to treat tho matter as
ajoke-serious enough to me, for / feel
the wound to this day. "Not to the
poodle, surely2"
"To the first Jack who comes on
board upon our arrival off Porto Ricol"
replied the lady, holding out her hand.
Goodnight, Captain C."
I escorted her to the companion-way,
and then returned to my seat.
! did not feel any great amount Of
self.conceit Just then in fact, had
wave washed me of the poop at that
moment, I should not have tried to 70.
turn to the ship. 1 had no doubt but
that she was engaged TO some fellow--a
mere mass oi-well, not anything like
myself' (Seli.conceit rapidly rcturning.)
In fact, whom I thought the matter over,
I came to the conclusion that this charm.
ing, lovely, divine, superb, elegant, be-
witcliing young lady had been making
fun Of me, and that she really was in
love with some nnrrow.chested, yagid,
weak.constituted Porto Rican. (Selt.
conceit quite recovered.
Ireally began to pity her, and thought