Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-09-30
sARAH'S YOUNG MAN.

& 3 RSH BLANK was neither very young
ft3i nor very bssutiFul, but her father owned
! the best aad biggest farm in Uorley. and
being an only child she was accounted al
r eligible match in thrifty circles.
Dick Saoders aai Ted Brant were rival
suitors for her haul She had but to say
the word whicho of them she'd have but it
+. .was Just that that made hor hesitatc-there
(Ta] 50 little choice between them.
I Saeh delays are always dangerous. While
is arah wavered. uncertain which to hold and
(which to let go, both a: once her captives
Islipped the leach.
,a They might have pIesd.d that they had
done no worse than others. For, when Jer>
: Joy ALIENS father came with his beautiful
tdauchtcr to dwell in Horcy there wns gem
aaera accking of the swains uhout the shrine
j 'of the new idol, and Ted and Dick onFy fol-
IfIowed the ret.
But Sarah Blank was not woman to view
"a lovers defcotiou lightly. Nor did it weak
,en her resentment to divide it between two
lShe bad quite enough FOR both; and it be-
Hing uncertain. which # them she would haze
chosen, in melting cut her apger she gave
eaoh tho disadvantage of the doubt.
Jenny Alien was civil and polite to all,
without showing preference, to any Dick
Sanders aud Ted Eraut were foremost among
khers admireis Indeed. the otliers st06d 4
good deal nsa2e OF them and hung back, for
I they were pair Of churiish brawny chaps,
little inclined to brook competition. and
whose i'll will few cared to court. Between
themselves the question Of which should
yield was fast reaching point where It's set
clement by 'fwaeer of battle" seemed incri,
table, when things took tarn which rut
new fuce IN afIqiT5.
VIII Harrcy clme from town to s?end mis-
summer vacation at an aunt's 10 Hurley.
One day whiIe saun ter;Dg. rod in hand,
along the charming little river TINT wound
through the valley, Will uncS SPocted'y cawo
on something that drove fstiug completely
out of his head.
On mossy bank, shaded by overhaug;ng
boughs, sat a young girl deep in the pages
of book. Her profile, whioh was toward
hin, presented q contour so perfect that it
would have dcGed the sculrtor's art 20 re-
produce it. The shower Of glossy ringlets
which fell upon tho matc'iess neck and
shoulders stole new tinge from every sniff,
ing gIimmer of light sirted through the un.
dulating leaves. Her cheek would pale and
| flush aud her eyes fash and melt By turns
with tho varied emotions called up by what
she read.
Will Harvey would have gladly remained
a silent spectator Of sight SO lovely, but he
, felt he had no right to co so.
Advancing in a manner to attract the girls
attention, he raised his hat aud asked some
commonplace questions about certain locali.
ties in the nci:hborhood. These, answered
! in voice SO rich and musical that every
tone made his heart futter. he found more
things to ask about, till by degrees a conver-
sation sprang up, which lasted till tho young
lady, suddenly remembering how long it had
continued, with a blush caught up her gypsy
hat, bade him pleasant good day, and trip
ped away lightly.
| Thus began the acquaintance Of Will Har-
veg and Jenny Allen. But it vas not likely
to end there. For if Will HarvGy's first
| his eyes, to lie called the loyeIiest creature in
tie world, it is quite IS certain that her first
1 IMPRESSIONS of the handsome stranger were
| hardly less exalted.
a formal Introduction followed, and in
little time VIII and Jenny we're SO Constant,
| II together that the rural gossips began to
| talk Of their engagement ss thing quite set
tied 4,..
This was NORWOOD to Dick Sarders and
( Ted BraBt They began to hook askance at
! Will Harvey, and we're only restrained from
picking an open quarrel with him By reflect
| ing that he vas a trIm-built. WiTy fellow who
mightn't be so easily handled, TO cay nothing
of the plueky lock there Wss in his keen,
dark eyes.
One day Dick. st turn of the lane dom
which be was stroiling, sulkipg as usual o7er
his bad fortune. was met By Sarah Blank.
BE felt awkward aud confused. Sarah had
a valorous tongue, and he had no ground to
expect mercy. To his surprise. however, she
met his clumsy greeting graciously. for the
time disposed, apparently, to forget past
grievances. 'T-E
I've news she said; "news you'd give a
deal TO know" grl
''wbas is it, saliy?'' he asked eoaxiDgly.
''Oh, never mind"
..Come, salIy.ifor old acquaintancs sake.'l
Was it smile or scowI she gave him
then? Dick Wssn't sure, and was beginning
to tremble again, when Sarah resumed her
gracious mich.
'.Well, seeing its you" she said, '.I don't
mind telling. Jenny 7AHen is going to elope
with Will Harvey tonight. He's to be &C
| her fathers back garden at twelve o'clock,