The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-08-11

/ "
thought; yet, by a strange chance, she
saw him about TO be put in her power
she had but TO accept his offer, and
honor would bind him TO her. She
could win his heart, and, IL she found
her efforts vain, she could release him
and be no worse os than now. But
her wcman's pride and delicacy for
badc her 10 accept feigncd suit, OF
TO force herself upon a man.
Il was with some relief to her-af-
ter such disturbed night, during
which every distressing thought visit
ed her with exaggerated horrors-thai
by broad daylight she could scarce ly
regard the agreement Of the night be-
fore as anything but jest. Not
wit6standing this conviction, she dress
cd herself with particular care, las
plain women are more rsgardful OF
such things than pretty ones, and the
silly child could not help thinking Of
possibilities.
Therefore, when frank was an.
nounced, rs he was shortly, she went
down to the drawing room, perfectly
sure Of his GRAND, and perfectly SURF
Of her answer.
Frank, the elegant--and perhaps
the too con6dent-man Of the world
did not feel like himself on this coca
sion. He was manifstly confused
and embarrassed; he spoke hurried,
Of a thousand things, passing abrupt
ly from one topic to another. Thu
composure Of his companion. gradual
" restored his tranquility ia meas.
ure, but his agitation returned as h
thought of offending her dignity b,
the blow he meditatcd. There wa
something, too, of sensibility in her
face, which made him shrink from
wounding her feelings. He procras
tinated, and the longer he delayed
the more he shrank from his task, and
the more he conversed with Minnie,
the higher he was obliged to estimate
her character. More than once
charmed by the brilliancy of her man
ner, he half determined to defer hi:
offer until he knew her better, feeling
that it might be possible, some day, to
look upon her with different spirit.
The morning was already far spent
ere he called up his resolution to say
"NIiss Minnie-I have called here
to-day-on a most disagreeable-I
mean-most agrecable-though ex.
traordinary-errand."
A warm blush rose to Minnie's
face; she trembled visibly. Frank
went on with forced bravery
Miss Minnie, l am here to offer you
my hand -"
Here he stopped abruptly, at loss
how to round his periods.
Poor Minnie's heart palpitated SO
that she could not speak. During the
silence which followed, Frank recov.
cred from his embarrassment enough
to notice and wonder at hers. But
Minnie soon composed herself.
"Mr. Overflow" she said, in low
distinct voice, 81 shall not ask what
impelled you to make your strange
offer; it is enough for me TO be sure
that you do not love me, and, poor and
plain though ! am, i cannot forego
affection in husband. l feel, too,
that it was not kind in you to-
She could not get further; the CON-
ing food Of tears threatened to wash
away all her dignity, and she started
hastily for the door.
Frank, well nigh melted to tears
himself, at her imprisoned sorrow,
followed her, and caught her hand at
the door to detain her. There was
something in the hand he seized
which she left within his as she escsp-
ed from him-just managing to say
with a convulsive smile
"a keepsake"
Frank clenched his hand upon the
triAe. without thinking to look at it
till after he had taken two or three
turns up and down the room, during
which he heartily berated himself for
his folly and unkindness, and as hear
tily pitied poor Minnie. When he
Enclosed his hand, he saw something
carefully wrapped in a silver paper.
He unfolded it, and found-a cham.
payne cork.
1t would be difiiculi, indeed. to de.
scribe Franks feelings as he left the
house and walked homeward. He
was in dilemma; had made his es.
cape-met with the refusal he hoped
Il
for; yet, he did not seem the light
hearted fellow one might have expect
ed.
In fact, Minutes intelligence, gen.
tleness and refinement of manner, still
more her digni6ed rejection of his