The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-09-08

sMpefSI WHO btfeam out Into tho nnf-
row aisles, lilo older ones gravely ex-
changing bits of local gossip, the
younger, to whom this is the moment
Of culminating interest, Wishing, fear-
ing, and looping, The girls cast blush
ing glances toward tho phalanx Of tall
youths on either side of the door, and
the youths, having already made q &C.
lection, only await opportunity. Happy
those whom no disappointment awaits
for, alas there must be some "previous
engagements" Then comes the deli
cious saunter hoD,ewntd in the soft
sumner evening, the elders having con-
siderately gohe on before the linger-
ing at the gate while tho trees softly
whisper overhead, and the goodnight
reluctantlymurmured beneath the stars.
Alas that youth comes but once, and
will not return after disappointments
have taught us to value Alright its sweet
dream-life
Hetty walked demurely ont Of meet
ing that night BY her atnts side, con.
scious, though they had not exchanged
glante, that Frank Kennedy was await
ing her. A little lonely sense Of sepnra.
tion from him came over her, but 1t did
not soften her resentment. II had be-
come n regular thing for Frank to walk
home with her after meeting; she was
vexed with herself when she thought
how regular it was. AS this thought
passed through her mind, she became
aware, though her eyes were cast down,
that Frank was approaching her on one
side while Will Lowry was Offering her
his arm on the other. Fixing n cold
look upon the former-R look which cut
him to the heart-sho turned with one
Of her brightest smiles to tho latter,
and, with "Thank you, Mr.. Lowry"
she walked away with him, leaving
Frank gazing after her with look OF
pain and perplexity mingled. As for
Hetty, though she talked aud laughed
in her gayest tones, and leaned on Wills
arm and glanced up in his iace in her
usual coquettish manner, her heart was
heavy within her, nor did she feels hap-
pier, though she became much gayer,
when, n few minutes later, Frank passed
her with Selma Burton clinging to his
arm confidingly.
:" Is that IN engaged couple, Miss
Morris p asked her companion, as Sell
mas lisping tones died away in the dis
tance.
al am sure don't know" answered
Hetty, with light laugh; aud then the
conversation drifted into the usual talk
Of two young persons takingth longest
way home under the olms on balmy
summer evening. They stood for some
time by the gate, trying to distinguish
various consultations in tho sparkling
heavens--so long, in fact, TINT Frank
Kennedy, returningno doubt from sim
liar astronomical researches with Sell
ma, heard Hetty's clear laugh, and
paused for n moment, half intending to
Join her. But his better judgment pre-
vailed; he walked away and disappeared
in the dsrkness. Then Will and Hetty
exchanged n goodnight over the low
gate-several good-nights, in fact-and
they parted.
Every thing had gonc exactly as Miss
Morris wished. She had crushed Frank
to tho earth with her scofn, md she had
shown hini that she was by no means
dependent on his attentions. Certainly
no one could ask for more devoted
suitor than Will Lowry. Every thing
hc had said during the evening had
shown her plainly that she had but to
stretch out her hand and take him; and
how manly and handsome lle was "I
will take him, too, II he offers himself" }"
said Hetty to herself MS she put out her
light. Then she very consistently cried
herself to sleep.
The next day passed like dream to
her. She performed her usuRl duties
as il she were somebody else. Frank
was still ut work in the barn, having
not quite finished his job; but he did
not once look toward the house, rs far
us Hetty could sec, much less come TO-
ward it; and she noticed TINT he had
left of the customary whistling over
his work. Even Farmer Baxter could
not complain Of any neglect on that
day. Just ut six o'clock, while she was
setting the table, feeling thoroughly
wretched and forlorn, her heart gave
n great bound. There he stood in the
doorway She had been feeling all the
afternoon that II he camo to her again,
in spite OF his offences shc could not re-
sist him. She was too unhappy with
out him, and now he had come, rs she
had hardly dared to hope he would do.
She hastily summoned all her pride,
that her surrender might not be too
sudden or absolute, and went forward
with frigid air quite coutadicted by
her rapidly beating heart.
"This Is the key to the dollhouse,
Hetty," he said, placing in her out
stretched hand cold door.kcy instead
Of the fervent clasp she expected. Tell
your uncle I've got through. Good
night T. and he was gone before she
could form q reply.
"This is the end OF everything"
thought poor Hetty. "Now il Will
Lowry comes I will accept him."
Will Lowry did come in the evening,
but she had no opportunity Of carrying
out her resolution, as his aunt came
with him expressly to sec Aunt Baxter,
and they all sat together in the 'front.'
room, except Uncle Baxter, who audibly
slumbered on the lounge in the kitchen
during tho entire call, greatly to the
modification OF his niece. What that
young lady said and did during the
evening she could not tell. She was
living over and over that cold parting
with Frank Kennedy, aud feeling again
the chill OF that disappointing door.
key. As the visitors rose to go, Will
remarked, t.,
"Aunt Martha, you have nearly for
gotten your GRAND.
"sufely," returned Miss Lowry, pro.
ducins from some mysterious quarter
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