The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1876-11-04
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ner now 10 throw ~, IN an almost
sportSman-like manner, and hoped that
soon handsome trout would reward
their efforts. But the trout seemed to
be more shy on this day than ever be-
fore. And then Julia would entangle
her line into the bushes. She declared
over and over again she never could
learn to throw 1t rightly; and once, hav-
Ing been Ou the verge OF tumbling into
the stream, gave up In disgust, much
to the relief of our parson friend, who
was fast becoming tired of disentang-
ling hook and line from urruly bushes,
which grew incOnveniently thick on the
bank OF the stream. All this had con-
sumed but two hours, and they certain-
ly had had neither sport nor trout.
II think, Mr.. Paine" exclaimed
Julia, I'VE had better find some suitable
spot where we can rest and eat our
luncheon" She was warm with her
unusual labor, and not little irrtated
at her want of success at fishing, 'If I
coald have had but one bite, | might
endure 1t; but don't you think this luck
of ours simply uncomfortable 7'
He answered in rather absent man.
ner that he "did think SO" He was
thinking of her, aud not of their i'll
luck.
A shady and convenient place for
luncheon was soon found. They ate a
while in silence, each having thoughts
to personal for utteIance. At length
she spoke:-
"You seem abstracted, Mr.. Paine. I
hope disentangling my unfortunate line
has not made my society irksome."
"No, indeed" blurted out the par.
son. II never was happier in my life;"
and then he blushed crimson, and made
matters worse by less pronounced
answer: 81 mean, Miss Gordon, have
been more than repaid for any slight
attention | may have showed you"
Now | take the first answer he made
to be the correct one. The fact was,
he never had known so supremely hap
py a moment as the one Just passed, in
which his consciousness had admitted
his love for her. True, that happiness
might be clouded; but for the instant
his new>found love made him SUI
preme'y happy mortal. But could she
love him? If as he disclosed his love on
the spot, and should ask her 10 be his
wife, would she not be annoyed and
angered at him for seizing this oppor.
tune moment?
She, with the ready instincts OF wo-
men, had guessed what might be pass
ing through his mind, and, alarmed lest
he should tell his love before they left
the spot, began to thiuk of returning to
the house. But still she fingered after
the lunch had been eaten. A golden
opportunity was left to the parson. .lf
"Miss Gordon, dc you believe in love
on short acquaintance p"
"Why, what q question, Mr.. Paine Z
or course not j" E' I".. h8}I
."But dc" Here he could control
himself no longer, and forth came a
fervid avowal of love. His words we're
spoken with an earnestness so intense
she could uot mistake them. '''
They came purely}and solely from
the heart. Ii fT. ..,,......', Nd,
After a brief interval, she said "Mr.
Paine you utterly surprise me. I had
no idea Of your falling in love with ME.
(Now. II seems tn me she had, and in
answering thus she showed want of
frankness as well as OF TRUTH. "You
know how different has been nv life,
and how totally unfit l am for a minis
ter's wife. Pray Mr.. Paine, see the i'm
possible objections that would arise to
oppose our union, If we're inclined to
accede to your wishes
Now this sounded by no means un-
pleasant to him, and he renewed his
suit with undated ardOr. .....
"The objections you name seem to
me by no means impossible and, as to
your unfitnesS for the duties OF par
sons wife, entirelydisagree with YOU"
"Mr Paine, were l to own frankly
the interest ycu have in my affections,
/ am sure my father would never con-
sent to oar Hnion''
How much had he gained by his per-
? Before he left her, he had
gained her prumise to write to her faith
er the state Of affairs, and that he would
abide by that decision. Julia, after
her aunt. wrote her father,
and was surprised to receive an ans
wer favorable to the parsOn. There Is
little more TO tell, except they were
happily married ; and she, who thought
she would detest country life, cheer
fully settled down 10 the labOrious du-
ties of country parsons wife.