The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-09
A sIlEht ACQUAINTANCE.

village oracle, and working about the
squire's farm 70 pay his board.
John Martin was handsome young
man, and as good as he WAS handsome.
SO said Mrs. Morgan and all the old
ladies OF the village, as also did the
who loved him dearly for his
kind acts and the cheerful words which
he had for every one.
The young ladies' all seemed TO have
a great deal Of regard for him, for they
each and all foresaw that such o good
young man must make au excellent
husband; and besides, they felt assured
that he would become very rich, as
well as influential; for was he not
reading law with Squire Morgan, who
had gained riches and influence in the
practice OF his profession?
Bat, somehow, John had failed to
appreciate the regard OF any young
lady until he met Cressy Mitchell, and
from that time he felt that his heart
was no longer his own.
Cressy was n beauty, and she knew
1t. It was passing strange that she
should feel willing to deprive herself
OF the homage Of her many suitors and
Danish herself to q country village,
even for a limited period. But she had
planned on making her appearance ut
the sumner resort Of her fashionable
friends, when the season was over, COM
ing fresh and hearty from her country
retreat, while the bellies OF fashion
would have become already worn and
weary with fashionable dissipation.
This was tho reason OF her seclusion,
and, with o swift, comprehensive
glance, she scanned the face and fea-
lures Of John Martin, inwardlyrejoicing
that such q handsome and agreeable
young man was to be her companion
during her stay in the village.
She did not have one thought that he
would fail to present himself as a can
didate for her favor. She knew her
power, and felt sure that John Mar
tins love would soon be hers.
II was even as she had anticipated.
At every picnic, pleasure excursion or
party gotten up in the village, John
Martin was her escort and companion,
and ere the time which she had allotted
herself to stay had passed, she was
sure that she possessed all the love Of
John Martins generous, noble heart.
She had learned to love him also.
His superiority over all other mon with
whom she had associated, forced her to
yield to HIM the respect which was due
him, and respect soon ripened into q
warmer feeling, which Cressy Mitchell
would not acknowledge to her own
heart.
The time drew near for her 10 take
her departure from the village, and
John Martin had called to say good.by.
Without preliminaries, and with no
words Of bringing aattery such as her
former stfitors had invariably made use
Of, he told her in straightforward,
manly way, OF his love for her, and
asked her TO give him her hand in mar.
rage.
For q time there was severe strug-
gle in the breast of this beautiful crea.
ture Of fashion. She loved John Mar.
tin. She knew it, and he knew II, and
her better nature cried loudly for q
hearing in this case.
But pride and ambition whispered in
her ear, "You must not thus fling away
all your bright hopes and prospects fol
the future you may form o splendid
alliance become the wife Of mil.
lionaire wear laces and diamonds and
reyel in wealth and luxury; do moi
listen to the promptings OF your heart,
but let reason guide you"
Thus importuned by the voice OF sol.
fish ambition, she put the one love Of
her heart away from her, and, turning
TO the man who stood with folded arms
awaiting her decision, she said:
"Mr. Martin, l cannot afford TO in.
dulge in romantic dreams; that l love
you will not deny, but you arc poor
and 1 am not rich; consequently each
must form more prudent alliance"
He stood for q moment as II trans
fixed, while the cold, worldly ideas OK.
pressed by Greasy were floating through
his brain. Was this to be the end oil
the bright dream Of happiness which he
had so tenderly cherished9 Alas, he
felt that all the world must be false and
cold, now that his idol had fallen, and
his beautiful Cressy, whom he had in
vested with all the charms and virtues
OF an angel, had changed into a cold,
soheming, worldly creature.
But he recovered his self.possession,
and extending his hand, he shook herr
warmly. and with a "Good.by, Cressy,
God bless you and make you happy,
he hurried away.
The next day Greasy Joined her fash.
ionRble friends at the - Springs, and
for the time forgot John Martin and his
love.
Summer passed, and winter came
with its round OF metropolitan gayety.
II was mid.winter, and the "affair Of
the season" came of at the house OF the
leader of the "ton;" none but tho elite
were there, OF course, and, indeed, they
were Of the exclusive " set.
As Cressy was promenading the spa.
cious saloon, leaning upon the arm Of q
cavalier, her escort suddenly paused
before tall gentleman, who stood lean
ing against pillar viewing the gay
throng with weary air. "AIiss
Mitchell" he said, az am happy to be
able to present to you valued friend
of mine, who informs me that he had
the honor and pleasure Of a few weeks
acquaintance with you during the past
summer"
Cressy raised her eyes, and met those
Of John Martin fixed earnestly upon
her. Her heart gave M impulsive
bound, but she checked its mad pulsa-
tons and replied coldly:
"Ah, yes; l believe 1 did have slight