Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-09-03
Selected Ayistellamg,
A MOONLIGHT ADVENTURE.

| hardly know whether / was in love
with Pattie Brown or not She was one
of those artful. bewitching minxes, who
often leave man in doubt as to whether
his heart is captured or only his head
turned.
Which was mig case, if the reader is
able to judge, he can do moro than | can
Pattc would sigh, and languish, and
talk sentiment to my hearts content but
whenever | sought to bring to the point,
and obtain categorical answer, she
would dodge the issue with as much skill
as veteran politician.
/ was determined, at last, to bring
matters to crisis.
The occasion | selected was that of n
grand masked ball, at which | had no
doubt Patte would be present, where,
in the freedom allowed on such occasions,
| resolved to press my suit, and take no.
thing short of Eyes" or mo" for an an
swer.
| went SO far as to purchase hand
some engagement ring, determined. if
the response was favorable, to place it on
her finger forthwith, and seal the compact
on the spot.
| got myself up as Romeo, in a style
that would have caused the hearts of the
Montagues to swell with pride, and those
of the Capulets to burst with envy.
"How stunning Smith looks" | heard
more than once whispered, as | roamed
up and down in search of Pattie. But
Pattie wasn't there, or if she was, her
disguise was too complete to penetrate.
As | walked anxiously about. my at
tention was attracted by the most piquant
Of shcpherdesscs, whose movements be-
trayed perplexity equal to my own. As
she passed her steps faltcred.
Pardon me, sir /; feel faint" she
murmured, resting her hand upon my
arm, as if for momentary support.
"Allow me to conduct you to the open
air" | answered sit is quite suifocating
here"
She thanked me gracefully and assent
ed, explaining that she was stranger,
and had become separated from her
friends.
The cool air revived her; and, after a
short walk through the grounds, her
strength and spirits seemed entirely re-
stored
Her conversation was vivacious and
witty. But when she came to talk of
the moonlight, and flowers, and poetry,
found that in the field of sentiment she
hnn DnH4 - e.
couldn't help thinking how tame Pattie's
rbapsodies, over which | had been wont
to go into such ccstasies, would sound in
comparison with the transcendant out.
bursts Of the little shcpherdess.
In a retired nook, almost hidden by
the shrubbcry, VIC found rustic scat Of
which we took possession. feeling, OF
feigning to feel WEAKNESS after our walk
The moon shonc out in unclouded ma
esty; and beneath her radiance the
flowers and blossoms which surrounded
us, gemmed with dew-drops, bloomcd
with a brightness which the more ambi-
tious god Of day might well have given
half his glory to witness.
And how the little shepherdess improv-
cd the occasionl If Luna, female as she
is, had stopped in her course to listen to
the enchanting hattery lavishcd upon her,
Pm sure it could hardly have been ac-
counted miracle.
"Pray remove your mask" ventur-
ed to say at last--frst laying aside my
own. II must look upon the face that
mirrors thoughts so divine"
II fear you will be disappointed, !" she
replied still, have nothing to dis
guise, and if you ,otU dispel the illusion
under which you labor, the punishment
be your own"
The features she exposed were Of sur
passing loneliness. Just dark enough
to entitle her to be called brunette, her
complexion had that pearly transparency
of which the purest of blondes can rarely
boast Her eyes sparkeled like diamonds,
and yet were soft as gazcllc's. The
contour Of her head and face was fault
less.
| fairly lost my reason. So the reader
will think when I relate that. without fur
ther ceremony, | threw myself on my
knees, to the no small detriment of Ro-
meo's finest hose; and producing the
ring had purchased for Pattie, ! incon-
tincntly placed it on the shepherdess' en-
gagement-fnger. / entreated her to wear
it for the sake Of one tbenceforward
doomed to be her slave, and who sought
no other boon than that of dying of un.