The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1880-11-27
N.Y. On 70

MAY OU, 1o-.
Ny DEAREST FANNx:--I have just re-
turned from picnic, and though the
hour is late, and / am very tired, still
must write you . few lines in reply to
your kind letter, and tell you how happy
/ anal
No, dear Ralph has not proposed to
me yet, but he took me to the picnic, and
was so very attentive that all the girls
were green with jealousy And at the
gate, dear Fanny, he-now you straight
laced, little thing, don't scold--he-well,
be kissed mel There, it's out nowi OF
course he would not have done that if
he did not love nne--do you think he
would?
Now, please, don't sit down and write
me long lecture on 7Dropriety and all
that sort Of thing, Fan, for, after all,
where's the harm in kissing the man
you love, even though you are not en-
gagged to him, (so long as you expect to
be sometime) or rather, GliOlrinq him to
kiss you, for, Of course, / would not
like 70 kiss mani Ughi should think
nou At least, dear Fan, / should be
awfulIy anhAmed afterwards, If did it.
And ohi must tell you about the new
minister's sister. She is about my age
eighteen and the most beautiful girl I
have ever seen. She has great guam
Sity of yellow hair-'sgolden," Ralph
calls it--and great, soft, blue eyes. and
her dresses are all satin and velvet
ralph says she is very beautiful, but he
prefers brown eyes-you know mine are
browr.)
The new minister is young man, and
very quiet and grave-he looks at me
often IN church, and talk about him
Just enough TO. make Ralph Jealous
dear Ralphl how I love hin!
] know he loves me, Fanny, but he
is poor, you know, 50 of course he is
difRdent about asking me to be his
wife; I mean to give him every en-
couragement, however, for it must be q
trying ordeal anyhow proposing, !
mean.
Last night we sat down on the rus
tic bench at the gate, and the moon
beams came through the leaves of the
maple tree. and quiyered on the. green
grass: there was 4 light breeze kissing
(now do mot imagine that I have kiss
ing" on the brain) the flowers, and
some crickets, chirping in the shrub
berry, and altogether it was most
romantic scene.
And Ralph sighed, and began speak
ing Of the past. He has led such q
lonely, loveless life, dear Fanny-it
makes me sad TO think Of i'll And when
he spoke Of the future, and wondered |
whether Il would be any brighter, felt |
how embarrassed he must be, and |
wishing TO encourage him, I said
gently:
aIf shall be brighter, If anything
can do viii make it so, Ralph
OF course thought he would go right |
on then, but be only thanked me, and |
taking my hand, told me how happy he |
was in having such dear, little friend,
and he hoped / would always be true to |
himl And, dear Fanny, I win.
Papa is calling mel wonder what he
wantai O, Fanny, Fanny! was
ever poor girl 30 unhappy As ]? Did
ever one have 50 many trials and crosses
to bear, IN all the world?
Just when was 30 happy, and every
thing was 30 bright. papa had to inter-
ferel He says-ohi how can tell it
that must not 90 with Ralph any morei
He says he is only worthless artist, and
he won't allow any intimacy between him
and his daughterf But don't care what
he will, or win not, allowl have prom
ised to be true 10 Ralph, and Will keep
my promise Is long as live-yes, dear
Fanny, / viii be true as sfe6t told
Ralph about it, and instead Of asking me
to marry him, a. I thought and wished
he would, he looked 80 panied and
grieved that felt like cryingl
Never mind, little onei" he said; "it
viii be all right some dayi Curse my
poverty
80 you see. / must wait till he gets
r1chi l have only seen him once since,
ana then he was walking with the min
issers sister-she is so Beautiful Ta-ta.
LURA."
July, 4th. 1S-
DEAREsr FANNY:-Only one month
nnce my last letter to you, and yet, I am
sitting here by my window this glorious
lively self.
! have story to tell you, Fanny
Nretched, heart-broken story. and be-