Catoctin clarion., 1878-11-28


refuse to let him express his graft
tude . AS for you, darling you will
soon be independent both OF him and
me. ] fancy. That is, if Charlie
Benton can persuade you.
Charlie Benton. repeated Olive,
impatieatlv. i hope he won't try,
mamma, | can assure you it will lie
in vain
But larli, Benton dl try, never
theless. Un,y h,ving had small en-
conrgenent and feeling very little
hope of success, he resolved to en-
plov an ambassador in his suit and
do his wooing by proxy.
And you succeed in everything,
old fellow, he said to Mark Dane
| Speak good word for me--you
were her fathers friend
Mr.. Dane started.
| ask Olive to marry you !! he
cried. You don't know what you
ask p He walked up and down the
room in an agitated manner, then
came back again. Does she love
you at ali ? he asked quietly.
Charlie looked somewhat embar-
rassed by the question.
AS for that, said he, who can
answer for young girls fancy .
She is always very pleasant with me
not at all like she is with you.
All ! indeed, said the other, still
quietly. Is her manner peculiar
with me, then !?
Very much so, think. Shy and
embarrassed, which is unusual in n
girl like Miss Leslie. who has seen a
good deal Of society and is naturally
self possessed. She watches YOU and
listens to You with a sort Of intense
interest too. | fancy she thinks Of
yon almost as her father-you are
Older than she is, YOU know.
Yes, by twelve years; she is not
twenty one yet. An, we'll if she
loves you, you shall have her. Char
! lie | won't say a word against it.
! But, On the other hand, neither will
! urge it. She must follow the die
tates Of her heart. Without refer
ence to You or any one. The girls
happiness is the first consideration
with me.
He said so to Olive herself that
evening.
There is nothing in the world
that desire SO earnestly as YOU!
happiness, Olive. would make any
sacrifice to secure it.
He sighed as he uttered those last
words looking sorrowing at her beau
! tiful downcast face and bright hair
and fntteriug hands, playing with d
book in her lap; he Was realizing
What sacrifice it would be to give
ner forever to another. She looked
up, half wondering at the long pause
he made aad their eyes met. Olive )
heart gave a great bound, her cour,
age rose, although her cheeks grew a
| deeper crimson.
You desire my happiness she
said, smiling Done ask me to wed
| Mr.. Benton, then for could never
love him
His face frightened i'm Mediate
iy.
Poor Charlie said he. But
you will marry sometime, Olive
some fortunate man will win you.
lie stopped, looking at her, as she
glanced at him archly.
DO you think he will be very
fortunate man she murmured.
I do, indeed : she answered
earnestly.
She rose, trembling and glanced
towards the door; then she glanced
at him and let her eyes fall timid.
ly.
You are sad to be a fortunate
man, she almost whispered and dart
ed toward the door.
Mammals calling me-
But he caught her in his arms.
Let mamma wait we will 60 to
her presently together. Yes-l am
fortunate indeed, if You care for me
O, OIive have l really understood
You Alright? ? Do you love me ?
Yes, she whispered. Then she
put the book she had been reading
into his hands. Yon gave it to me-
volume Of Longfellow. | had been
reading the wooing of Miles Stand
ish. All the time you were praising
Charles Benton couldn't help
thinking of Puritan Priscilla s
words
What were they, my dsrling?'
She pointed to the line:
"Why don't you speak for yourself, john
He did speak for himself, then and
there and with such effect that their
Wedding day was fixed for three
months later. Never WAS pronder
bridegroom or happier bride. And
Olive, safely cherished by her hns-
bands love, has fully proved the
truth OF her own bright words: