Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-05-04
Marian Moore.

l
Marian Moore.
| u was as pretty picture as could be mag-
| ihtL-the fair,gracefu young girl leaning upon
| the low, wicker gate, with an aich of roses
| BIOS ossoming above her like framework So at
least thought MIR. John Morton, as unconscious
| lY Stacking his hasty steps, not too soon TO dis
turb her, he advanced along the pretty suburb
an village street. Soft, however, as was his
| sleIs, she heard HIM. and, starting from her
half-pensve attitude courteously returned his
| salulation.
81 would scarcely have expected 10 find you
up so early remarked the young man, in the
| fauk, pleasant way that was natural to Lin.
"Tempted out by your flowers, | suppose" he
added, glancing arou I'd upon the little front
| flower garden, rich in blossoms of every hue.
Nothing tempted me- She answered care
lesly. Il arose early because IL suiled ME SO
| to do
A slight smile passed over Morton's lip. 1t
was like Marian Moore, that wilful little
speech.
Marian saw the smile and understood 1t per-
fectly; and she would not have been Marian
Moore had she not resented tat least frOm
John Morton. With all her tender womanly
affections aud real noble and generous impul-
ses, she was yet at times inclined to bs wiful
and capricious-a sort of spoiled child, accus
toned TO be pettei aud INDUCED by her family
and deferred 10 and wOrshpel by her many
lovers.
John Morton Devcr deferred 10 her in her
humors and caplces and though she knew
that for nearly two years lie had loved her, he
was lever her humble slave, or allow ell himself
to he made miserable ard iespa irng, by her
neglect or coldness--or al least be never show
ed that he felt himself so.
Auh last evening, at Mrs. Elliots party
though she had purposely slghted him and
iiired with his iival here he was This morniug
looking rs hearty, healthful and cheerful us
usual, and had even smiled with an air of sts.
periority at her wful speecil-as he might have
do ie with Il chill, Marian thought, resent
fully.
Were as fee as yourself 10 consult incli-
nation he replied to that same little speech Il
might now be on my way 10 R.. lmpers
tive business called me ont before sunrise ; bui
remembering your mothers wish tc have hel
watch repaired in r., l have called On III,
way to the depot to offer my services
Il don't know that mamma has risen,' said
Marian, glancing backward at the pretty white
house with its broad vrrandah. You nigh
have mentioned IL to her last night
'fhe letter requiring my pres ,nt in the Town
, OF Il did not reach me until late.
found ii awaiting me on my return from Mrs
Elliott s.
There is Aunt Loltie in the ycran,!ah,
$ said the girl, indiileputly. 'For myself
. must gather my flowers while the dew Is OF
them
Aud while Norton walked briskly to tn,
! house, she took up a basket and scissors ant
. wandering about among the flower beds, hum
, ming faint air as she dainty gathered tn
: flower blossoms and yet all Tie time she wa
= wondering how long John Morton would b
away.
He came back presently with a little packag
- i'll his hand. Marian stood, holding in lie
white fingers tiny boquet--a purple viole
moss-rose bud and leaf of rose geranillm -
John Morton's heart gave u quick throb. liza
} he not, the evening previous, heard her tellin
Mr.. Lorraine the symbolical meaning of thes
n very iiovcrs, Crhiuk Of me- 'hope,' prefer
70 ehceN as they stood flirting over her boquet
v And had she gathered these blossoms for hiu
Il self, now that he was going awaAf
"Won't you tell me good -byep' approachin
TO where she Stood, in tho shadow of th
laurels. "I shall be away for two whol
weeks"
:, Two weeks Iou talk as If it were lon
l. time, said the eil, lightly.
! 1T Will appear long to me-
She glanced up, aud colored as she met h
eyes. 1t was seldom that sh, saw that look |
them.
| Wont you give me something In remind IN
's OF you while absenlY he pleaded; "a howe.-
those now in your hand?'
'rhe remembrance is scarcely worth havin
which needs a tangible token, size answer,
i'll the same careless tone.
. 'Maran, you know what | mean" FEis tim
,is " she did not dare 10 meet his eyes. "Wiil yo
ch give me these flowers? Unless," lie adde
nd they are Intended fol some one else
Aud suppose they are SOP
Then have only this to say-Giye the
= to m'-or to any other that you may choose
: The ghfs color went and came; but she ne'
er lifted her eyes from the flowers which 81
was now slowly picking TO pieces, leaf by lei
aud still the young man stood, with h
grave eyes fixed upon her, and his hand ha
extended.
All at once feeling of his manhood can
g over John Morton. Should he allow himse
to be tri1ed with in his deepest and most s
cred feelings9 Should he submit, as for montl
past he lad submitted, TO be checked al
~ ~ | thwarted, and yet still held oil as it were
this girl, who knew how he loved her.
Y, Marian, he said-aud his voice had tor
IN which warned her that lie was in carnost-'
nm you refuse me this request, ii Is the last | shs
ever make ,f YOU. | know that you unde
\ sand mr, he added, In low, firm voic', "sr
% will take your in ,liiucI or refusal as def
lite between us
ow 1t was scare 'ly tile proper way OF coming
~ the point,' or If wnnig favorable answer
W least from Marian Moore; but John Morio
in his straightforward honesty and sncerit,
re-, was but little acquainted with the fitness
NV which most lovers lind it SO necessary to NAL
use of on occasions like the present
Marian looked up with a heightened color
What right had he TO put ner To this ordeal
10 TO C answer from heipFor q ow or neve
was clearly expressed in his look.
Il will not be compelled 10 do anything
the will of another she answered haughiily;
= There and she tossed the flowers over Il
y low garden fence, and, turning away, left hi
without another word.
lie gazei after her for anoment; then, wi
compressed lip and pale still look about Il
are usually frank and pleasant face, be quiet
passed through the little gate and pursued l.
10, way to the depot.
Marian made her appearance at the breakfs
table, and seeing that her sisters suspect
nm s,mething unpleasant between herself and Nc
ton, affected to eat with an appetite, and
at laugh and talk gaily about the last nights ps
TO- ity. But she felt as though the delicate rS