The Placer herald., 1873-02-08
AUBURN. PLACER COUNTY. CAL
CALIFORNIA. FEBRUARY 8. 1873.

| Inc liine wa. slpplhS away. L ieit Houp-
led. During an interval, Tom came up to
us and after few commonpla he turned
to me with a rogush look and said: "l on
are blue, Aleck; it is time TO apply the snow
| spoke of" bowed and left us.
Miss Gorham looked at me ;nquiringly
and said:
Gle is merry, good-hearted fellow, is
he not ?"
eyes he is. like him; but what did he
mean when he spoke of applying snow p
Here was my opportunity, but alas, what
should | say? With bold effort blurted
it out. "Miss Gorhara, don't ask me what
he meant. ! can't tell you now; perhaps |
may some day-that is, if you will let me
but it all depends upon how you receive
what am telling you now-that love you !,
that want you to he my wife, that | will
be utterly wretched if you will not"
Oh how stupid of me. There we were
surrounded 10y people so near that that they
could hardly help hearing me, and yet |
spoke in very low tone too. could see
the blood spring into her face and the soft,
suffused look in her eyes, but the curtain
rose then and she said hastily, 81 cannot an
SWcI YOU HOW. IItT utnu lltIubitN It's sue
raised the loygneHe to her eyes, but that was
all could see.
| was mad with myself for my clumsiness,
and sat through the remainder of the music
nervously impatient for the mnsic to stop
1t did so at last. The usual confusion of
getting out of the house, and then we Were
shut into the carriage together.
1t was dark and my courage came to my
relief. "Wil you answer me now p ask
ed, and she must have heard my heart heat
ing.
Not a word in reply, however. | leaned
towards her and found she was weeping. Oh
how my heart ached! Helen Helen! cried
don't. If the knowledge of my love greves
YOU, it is answer enough for me. Forgive
me and forget it all, hut don't, dent weep.
said 'forget it ALL but my heart was
broken, and knew the sunlight Of my life
was gone forever.
Yet ! can never forget the agony her tears
inflicted. She tried to speak to me, but her
tears choked her. AT last with great effort
she said "You are very, very kind; but !
cannot do what you ask. Listen! For your
sake, for your happiness, i must say no.
| mere Is ~ IcdSoll, u uittulNi it'Sol', bNt Dt-
ieve me it is best for you that | say no.
We had reached the house, | took her
hand to assist her from the carriage, dismiss
ed the driver, and still holding her hand un-
til we stood at the door, said: 81 believe
YOU are acting conscieniiously, Miss Cor
ham, but must have an explanation before
| can relinquish what has grown to be a part
of my life. May write to you-or-no--
may see you in your own house. Let me
20 TO your home and there tell me why
must accept the no. May do 50 ?"
eyes you may. 1t is due you, but don't
come till send for you.
promised, trusting in her permission.
went to my room that night and thought it
all over, not calmly, but anXiously. Was
Tom right ? No, the icice certainly melted,
and was very cold.
AThe Spring came with all its brightness, at
least all that can be seen of it in the city.
The la1ies appeared in bright, fresh dresses,
gentlemen dropped their overcoais and fur
caps. The few trees that blessed the town
began to look green and bits of grass here
and there showed themselves. didn't en-
Joy it very much, however was very
down-heared, it must be confessed, and
when Tom rallied me, ! spoke SO fiercely
that he was startled.
"Well, well, old fellow, don't kill me. |
see it all and sympalhze with you too. EX-
perience has taught me how. Don't give up,
though don't know how far the matter
has gone, bus if it is only a refusal, there is
hope. Listenl
"Who listens once, will listen twice.
| 'Her heart be sure is not of ice,
| "And one refusal-no rebuff"
Rather contrary to my previous opinion OF
the lady in question, but have great hopes
of your powers of melting. just be patient,
Aleck, and it will come right; even it it Is
not exactly as you want it, you know it must
be right"
| had never seen Tom so serious before.
Something was on his mind. was patient
and was rewarded at last by a note from
Miss Gorham inviting me to spend Sunday
in the country. at is very charming in the
country now" the note sale, "and if you
still care to have my explanation of that mat
ter, will take this opportunity to give you.
If ! still cared
Saturday afternoon found me on my way
I O the little place that was 20 highly honored
as to be her home. How beautiful the coun-
try was that day in its fresh, feathery green.
The sight of it revived me- had grown
dull and heavy with the suspense, bnt pure
air and unobstructed sunshine buoyed me,
and found myself hoping and fancyng Il
very charming interview with the beautiful
woman.
She received me gracefully, without sign
of excitement, unless perhaps the bright spot
that showed itself upon one cheek while the
other was quite white.
found myself soon quite at home in her
family. She was living with her grand pa
rents, for she was an orphan They seemed
TO be very fond of her, and who would not
She was so lovely in the camor of town life.
but there, in the snug country house, she
WAS a beautiful gem A halo of romance