The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-07-16
Srlett Story.
IT KNOW IT."

At IL years of age was more of man
than | ever have been since. wore a
long tailed coat and boots-to which the
appurtenauce of spurs was generally added
"a mustaehe was quite visible on my up
per lip, aud a consciousness of ripe matu-
rity never left my mind. L was studying
for the legal profession, but at the time Of
which write I was spending my summer
vacation at my fathers house in the coun-
try.
Though so manly-almost soldier-like,
as fancied-in my appearance, my inner
was by no means so stern as my outer man.
| loved my mother with childish tender
ness, aud sooner than pain herpious heart,
| unmurmuringly accompanied her every
Sunday to the village church, to listen to
long sermons Of which could not hear a
word, for the tremulous accents of the very
aged minister who conducted the services
we're so faint. Though ineited by love and
duty to subject myself to this weekly pen
ance-wcll deserved by my weekly sins
my conscience did not prevent me from
whiliug away the time by such amuse-
meut as lay at hand-that, namely, OF OBJ
serving and speculating on the eounte-
nanees of my neighbors.
The physioguOmy which interested me
more than all others was that of young
Girl who sat not far from me. The face,
from first eliciting my careful admiration,
gradually absorbed my whole attention.
It was beautiful, but apart from that, it
possessed the greatest interest for me.
Never had seen eountenaDce which de-
noted 50 much sensibility; each motion Of
her mind was plainly written upon it by
its quick, delicate changes; nothing was
wanting but the key Of corresponding
degree of sensibiliiy IN the beholder to
read her tender, innocent soul Ike an open
book. For hours l gazed aud speeulated
on that fair young face. l thought how
sad would be the lot of so sensitive being
should fate unite her to one who would
not know how to read her Alright; to whom
the varying expression of that sweet eoun-
tenance would be but bJapk; who would
be able TO see in it only its coarser part
beauty Of feature, There was no end TO
the reveries into which those swift coming
blashes led me.
Sometimes, by chance, the fair object Of
my fancies would catch my eye, or with
out looking at me, seem to know that
was gazing at her, and | wickedly delight,
ed in noticing the blush which deepened
her check until | withdrew my eyes.
One Sunday | happened, in coming out
Of church, to be close to my lovely neigh
bor-immediately behind henry hand
actually touched her unconscious gar
ments. felt an irresistible desire e
force her in some way to notice me,-tC
speak to her, 10 occasion one of thosc
charming blushes-anythiDg, l knew not
what. In short, like an impertinent cox
eombe as 1 was, stepped forward, aud
with insuferable ;nsolenee. which blush
now to remember, whispered in her ear
@You are very pretty
Never was l more surprised than when
she calmly replied
Il know itr
was absolutely stariled. had expee
ted silent, conscious blush, an indignant
glance, anything rather than this cool q
know IT,
As much as had heretofore disliked at
tending the village church, the next weeE
seemed to drag along slowly enough, an'
when Sunday again came my mother ant
/ were early seated in our pew, and i'm
patiently waited for the arrival of my love
ly enigma tried TO prepare myself foi
disappointment.
II have been thinking and dreaming
about an idea, | said to myself-"doubt
less when the young lady herself appears
all my fnc imaginings viii vanish-ther'
can be no doubt my fancy has been play
ing tricks with me, investing mere coun
try maiden with transcendant graces ant
charms"
While l was reasoning thus with mysel
the young lady appeared.
aWorshipping an IDEAL" My mos
charming remembrance did not begin t.
do Justice to the beautiful reality. A sou
full Of tenderness and scnsibility seemed
to have found fitting home in person
and face of perfect loveliness and grace.
She blushed when, looking round, sh'
ehaneed to see me, and again the play o
expression OH her features, which had 81
interested me formerly, charmed me,
The more | studied her face. the more
seemed to see into the pure depths of he
soul. | could have staked my life on hel
as noble of thought and deed.
As we returned home | described my
fair neighbor and asked my mother whit
she was
"Her name" my mother said, SIS Grace
Denny, and she is the most superior youns
woman | have ever in my whole life me
with. It is too soon to think of suci