Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-11-08

long-vanished summer, and how
often used to see my boy-lover,
since lost sight of for many years.
? Ours y had been one. Of those
youthful attachments, which bn,
seldom ripen into first and only
love.
They arc oftencr but "the prelude
to the strain, before, the song is
sung" -
We were on the verge of an en-.
sagenent, when Arthur was re-
called to his distant home, and ]
had seen him no more.
Yet, foolish as it may have been,
l had always kept one little corner
in my heart sacred to his name, and
it was with strange thrill that
heard he was again near me, and
that / soon should see him.
That day he called-a tail, fine
looking man, polished, refined,
fascinating in his manners.
could hardly identify him with
the slender youth that l had once
known but lie referred SO grace
fully to our former acquaintance,
and expressed SO much pleasure at
resuming the intercourse SO sud-
denly interrupted, that felt at
perfect ease.
How pleasant were the days that
followed !!
We called each other "Arthur''
and "Margaret" in the most friendly
way, and Edith and Bertha seemed
already to regard him in very
sisterly manner.
We read, walked, and talked to-
gethcr and night after night his
deep, rich voice would accompany
those of my sisters, while l played
the old familiar tunes upon the
piano.
! l fancied that my own voice
might have lost little of its early
sweetness, and SO dill not attempt
TO join the others, whose melodies
were so harmonious.
Several other invitations were
sent, as of yore, to the Misses Nor
ton, and l was fast forgetting that
l was an old maid, when at an
evening party L overheard the en-.
vious and i'll natnrcd remark
"Just sec that Margaret Nortonl
What youthful airs she does put
on! Trying to catch Mr.. Clayton,
l dare say!''
How those words rang in my
ears long after the lights, the music,
and dancing were shut out, aud ]
was alone In my room.
How I catechised myself, and
tried to reason with my poor foolish
heart. .+E
Yes, [ had been trying to look
young, ard 1 had appropriated
Arthur's attentions as a matter OF
course
What right had l to mohopolize
his time ?
Was it not far more likely that
he would choose Edith or'Bcrtha-
if, indeed lie would pay court tc
either of nss 80. a.' '.',' e
Even tins was by no means Ger!
tain he might go again as suddenly
as he had come and l was startled
to find what a sad void his depart
ure would make in our circle, and
still more in my own heart.
g"Ah, Margaret, Margaret" ]
soliloqnised, 'stake warming ere it is
too late 70
The next morning l arose with a
new resolve firm in my mind. -
would not yield to the sweet
delusions of loveTwoufd not, m
asked, be tllus easily won.
The world should not, have cause
to laugh at the silly fondncss of az
old maid. u
Strengthened by these purposes,
| was the better fitted for the trial
that awaited me-.
That very day Arthur clayton
came to see me and inquired for me
alone. 8-a
1 caught a quick glance passing
between Edith and Bertha as l left
the room, and there was more
rapid pulsation of my heart as ]
entered the cool, dim parlor where
he was seated.
Margaret" he said, tenderly, as
he took. my hand, edo you know
what "a priceless treasure l have
come to ask you for l hardly dare
be SO bold, and yet faint heart ne er
won fair lady, and I must not lose
my courage"
"How very tisnid he has grown y
L thought 'can he not sec that Inc
has butIto speak in order to- winsf
smiled, assuringlyy and he PRO
"Do:aot tayinkrner precipitate in
my sffgttsoH, Though otHe @eqnaint'
ance hassbeepso-bries yet l cannc'
Be1nistakcn ii nay feelings, and