The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-04-21

thoroughly.
Life to a young man who is worth two
millions Is not like life as you and I look
at it, dear reader. And yet, when you
think of the walks you took when the
sunset glow was still in the west, and of
the little hand that lay so lightly and
trustingly on your arm, do you not
think your words and feelings were as
carefree, and your hopes as high as if
you had been heir to all Solomon's
wealth. All, we are all rich when we
are young, and never SO rich as when
we draw pictures of what we shall
do for the girl we love. And the trait
of Miss Verney's character that Feath-
erby was most pleased with was her
naturalness. She was thoroughly her
self, he said, and n very interesting self,
too. She told him of the dull routine
of the school-room, of her distaste for
her work; but she was compelled to
work to be Independent, and she made
the best of it.
How he pitied the little thing! But
he admired her for working. She would
not be II drag on her father Che had
heard her mention her father she
preferred to work and be independent.
That was a noble independence and he
respected ner for the feeling.
But all evenings come to an end, and
he had to take his leave. If he dreamt
that night, Miss Manley did not o5trude
herself upon his mind. In the morning
he took his usual walk in the elm path
and he met Miss Verney, as he knew he
should. Another delightful half-hour
in her comapny and he was beginning
to be in love. Love grows rapidly when
there is nothing to interfere. He was
free to WOO whomsoever he would; she
was likewise free and to be wooed. They
could meet every day if they wished,
and their right to meet and to love was
unquestioned. Newhall noticed that the
artist was devoting himself to the
school-teacher; but Newhall said he
seemed to be a nice fellow and it would
be a good match, and then smiled on
them in q friendly, encouraging way.
1t was the evening Of the third of
July. Miss Verney had closed her
school that day for the summer, and she
was exhausted with a hard days labor.
She was sitting Oh the porch of farmer
Hooper's house. ~Featherby came up
the path, saw how tired she was, and
said he would not ask her to go down to
the river as he had intended, because
she was SO tired.
"No," said she, getting am not
too tired for that; and besides you"
and she stopped and blushed. She had
said more than she meant to.
"And meP" he asked.
ooh, you deserve to be treated bet
ter, after walking up the hill" she said,
laughingly.
He vas sure that was not what she
was going to say, but had to be satisfied
then. They went down the long lane
through the meadows to the river. 1t
was a pretty walk and a lovely river.
They had been there often before. But
neither was quite so much at ease to-
night as usual.
She was going away il a few days to
spend her vacation at the home of an
old school-rnate. He was wondering if
sheloved him if it was possible that she
would give him q "yes" to the question
he was about to ask her. He had de-
tormined a week before that he would
ask the question. She was every thing
that he wanted in wife. She was sweet
tempered, beautiful, cultivated and hon
est. If he won her he would have the
satisfaction OF knowing that she married
him for himself, and his future would
be but little less perfect than Paradise.
81 wish you would tell me what you
were going to say about me tonight"
he asked, after what seemed a long 81
lence.
az was going to add that you would
rest me-" she said, with blushing can
dor.
His heart beat loudly; he took her
hand and kissed it. She did not draw it
away.
al love YOU" he said. 81 wish l
might give you rest always! DO you
think you could learn to love me ?"
81 love you now" she replied, in a
whisper.
When they parted that night he had
explained to her that he was not rich,
but that he was able t. live modestly,
and had told her how love for her would