The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1875-02-10

her conversation, her music, ant
her graceful ways. I didn't won
der at Ned's choice. l whispered
as much to him, late in the evo
ming.
He gave mo a beaming glance
"Gay-isn't she, Tom? But there
is somebody hanging about hel
all tie time, and / haven't had
chance to get a word with her
Now. there's that black k-whiskered
professor boring her with his oio
GIGS. How weary she looks! | say
Tom, can't you get him off some,
where, so ! can talk to her?'
: But the professor was called
away by some other person just
then, and Ned supplied the vacancy
Immediately.
| sauntered off to the library
after moment, and sat down be-
hind the high desk, to look over
an old Volume. Presently | heard
! Ned's voice at tho door.
"Comc in here & moment" he
said, "whcre we can be alone. |
want to speak with you"
thought she hesitated, but
! she came with him, and, before |
could make my presence known,
Ned had begun. He had apertect
command Of language, and talked
like a two-volume novel.
"You must have long known,
Miss Norris" he began, "thc mean
ing of my frequent calls at your
homo. Though first a friend OF
your sister, I soon learned to look
upon one Of the family in another
light than i friend. have long de-
sired this opportunity to express
my feelings, and receive tho an
swcr from Your lips. But the fates
have all seemed averso, and | had
almost dcspaired Of speaking to
you this evening. The opportunity
has at last arrived, and here at
your feet, l await the answer
which shall render my future life
a desert or a Paradise. Speak, /
implore you'll"
There was moments silence,
broken st length, by Miss Julia's
melodious accents.
"DoI understand this, Mr.. Clark,
as q proposal ofmarriagc ?"
T"Light Of my life, yes! What
else could my words imply? /
lovo you! Be my wife p
Ned was getting eloquent, and
felt very much like laughing
but it would have been indiscreet,
in my position, so 1 sat still till
the play ended.
am exceedingly surprised"
heard Miss Julia respond-"vcry
much surprised indeed! I had al
ways supposed your calls were
merely the calls Of a friend; and il
out of the three, you looked upon
one with the eyes oflove, l had
supposed it to be my sister Clara. u
eyes, yes! I know have veil
ed my heart" !" Ned interrupted
"but, I assure you, it is you that
have loved, and do love 1t is
you"
'Plcasc do not 60 any further,
Julia's calm voice broke in. "lt
is unnecessary to prolong this in
terview. Had l known your in
tentions, | should not have grant
cd it,"
"But you don't mean to say
You surely can not refuse my sui
utterly! Ned cried mournfully.
Iudeed I must, Mr.. Clark" sh'
answered, icndcrly. "Though
respect and esteem you very high
y, l can never be other than
friend, ORA sister to you"
"But perhaps ycu will think bet
ter of it" Ned said, in so pathct
ic a voice, that l should havo tcl
really sorry for the fellow had i
been anybody but Ned-featbor
hearted Ned, who never love
anybody, save himself, enough t.
give him an hours real pain as /
w"s, | wanted TO hugh, but, as
before remarked, thought it woul
be eindjscreet-;perhaps you woul
think better of this, after matur
deliberation. l do not want 20
to decide hastily. Think Of it
few days, and then give me you
answer
"Indccd, it is not necessary !!
Julia said earnestly. Il shoul
answer you just as l answer yo
) now. ourfriend-nothing more.
"But if there is any obstacl
that [ can remove"