The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-07-16

py to see my dear son married to just such
woman.
''NOt quite so fast, mother" said |
laughing a good deal to hide little boyish
embarrassment, which | was anxious TO
conceal.
found that Grace had become con
slant visitor at my mothers, and | did
not fail to improve the opportunity OF be-
coming better acquainted with her
Graee-sweet, noble Grace, with her
child-like simplicity and sensitive woman's
heart-who could resist hc. I could
not. my whole soul was hers In vain l
struggled; in vain I called upon my vanity
(of which I had plenty to invOkc) to save
me from the modification of loving with
out return. l could not stem or control
the passion which, strong as a mighty
whirlwind, had seized me-
One evening l sat by the piano, while
Grace sang to me, and dear Graces vary
ing color and glistening eyes suggested
sweet hopes to my vanity. fancied |
saw love in those bright, dewy eyes and on
those soft, music-breathing lips.
1t was the last evening Of my vacation,
and surely read gentle farewell thought
in Grace's face. l was beside myself with
Joy at the idea-I was as if in blisslul
dream rapture of love. As Grace rose
to leave the piano caught her hand, and
unable longer to repress the one thought
that filed my heart, l exclaimed feryent-
ly;
aGrace-dear Graeo-with all my soul
love you
She lifted her large, soft eyes aud said
slowly, as a mischievous smile stole over
her face
Il know it r
She was gone before | had time to pre-
vent it, or to recover from my surprise.
The next day l returned to college, ex-
pecting to complete my studies in another
year. 4 year How long to be absent
from the beloved being who was to me
henceforth aud forever, whether she re-
turned my love or not, the nucleus around
which all my thoughts would reyolye. l
need not say how often her strange and
unsatisfactory answer tormeuted me. |
perceived in her repetition Of the same
words her remembrance Of the time when
she had once used them before, and this,
was the just punishment Of my insolence
l tortured myself BY bringing the whole
scene again aud again to memory-my
passionate declaration Of love aud her pro
yokiug reply Il know it. "The deuce
you do p thought I sometimes. Il would
l had possessed the wit 10 have left You a
litte more uncertain.
| often wondered that was able to
study at all at this time, for Grace was never
absent from my thoughts; she had beeom
the dream Of my life, the object Of I'll my
love sonncts, which had uutil now been
scattered on various rival beauties did
study, however, and study hard, aud at
the end Of the term passed examination,
with high honor, much to my dear moth,
er's pride and JOY.
| determined to be wiser when | saw
Grace agaiu-to discover beyond a doubI
if l were Indeed beloved before | commit
ted myself as I had done.
In order to satisfy myself on this point
and perhaps also to crafty little pique
when ! returned hcme did not 90 imme.
diately 10 see Grace, but waited until, al
my mothers summons, she spent the eve
ming with US. Even then, though my
heart was full Of tenderness for her, az
fected GOODNESS.
| had made up my mind to play part
aud suffer as | might, | would act it out.
There was a young lady staying with my
mother at this time who dearly loved 70
firt, and I was quite ready 20 contribute
to her amusement. / devoted myself iC
her the whole evening, and felt the sweet
est pain | ever experienced when | saw
by Graee's dear, changing, sentitiye face,
that she was deeply pained.
When this foolery had been carried tc
its height l perceived Grace suddenly rise
and step through the open wiadow out on
the piazza. In few minutes | followed
her; she had retired to a little distance
from the window, and stood with her head
resting against the railing, weeping
Stealing softly behing her, | passed my
arm around her aud whispered
"Ah, dearest Grace, DO not deny You
love me
There was a little pause then laughing
yet still half crying, Grace turned aside
her head and said
"Alas | know it !"