Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-03-26
81 KNOW IT,

aDDurtenance Oh spurs was generally du-
ded), mustache was quite visible on my
upper lip, and consciousness of ripe
maturity never left my mind. was
studying for the legal profession, but at
the time of which l write L was spend
ing my summer vacation at my fathers
house i'm the country.
Though so manly almost soldier like,
as fancied), i'm my appearance, my in
ner was by no means so stern as my out
er, man. / loved my mother with child
ish tenderness, and sooner than pain her
piOuS heart, Imurmuringly accompanied
her every Sunday to the village church,
to listen to long sermons of which |
could not hear word, for the tremulOus
accents of the very aged minister who
conducted the services were so faint.
Though melted by love and duty to sub
ject myself to this weekly penance (well-
deserved by my weekly sinsl, my con
science did not prevent me from Willing
away the time by such amusement as
lay at hand-that, namely, of observing
and specializing on the cOuntenanceS OF
my neighbOrs.
The physiOgnomy which interested me
more than all others was that of young
girl who sat not far from US. The face,
from first elicting my careless admira-
ton. gradually absorbed my whole at
tentiOn. 1t was very beautiful, hut,
apart from that, it possessed the greatest
interest for me. Never hal seen a
cOuntenance which denoted so much
sensibility: each emotion of her mind
was plainly written upon it by its quick,
delicate changes; nothing was wanting
but the key of a corresponding degree of
sensibility in the behOlder, to read her
tender. innocent soul like an open book
For hours gazed and specialized on that
fair young face. | thought how sad
would be the lot of so sensitive being
should fate unite her to one who would
not know how to read Alright, to whom
the varying expression of that sweet
countenance would be but blank; who
would be able TO see i'm it only its coars-
ser part beauty of feature. There was
no end to the reveries into which those
swift coming bushes led me.
Sometimes, by chance, the fair object
of my fancies would catch my eye, or
without looking at me, seem to know
that was gazing at her, and wickedly
delighted in noting the blush which
deepened on her cheek until withdrew
my eyes.
One Sunday happened, in coming ont
IL
bor-immediately behind her--my hand
actually touched her unconscious gar
ments. | felt an irresistible desire to
force her in some way to notice me-tO
speak to her-tO occasion one of those
charming bushes anything knew
not what. In short. like an impertinent
c0xcOmb as was. stepped forward, and
with insufferable insOlence, which L
blush now to remember, whispered in
her ear:
"You are very pretty"
Never wasI more surprised than when
she calmly replied:
Il know itp'
q, L was absolutely startled. had ex-
pected silent, conscious blush-an in
dignant glance anything rather than
this cool Il know it,
As much as had heretofore disliked
attending the village church, the next
week seemed to drag along slowly
enough, and when Sunday again came
my mother and / were early seated in
our pew, and impatiently waited for
the arrival of my lovely enigma. l tried
to prepare myself for disappointment.
II have been thinking and dreaming
about an idea,"I said to myself-.dOubt-
less when the young lady herself appears,
all my fine imaginings will vanish
there can be no doubt my fancy has been
playing tricksiwith me, investing mere
country maiden with transcendent
graces and charms" While l was rea-
sOning thus with myself, the young lady
appeared.
WOrshiping an "idealp' My most
charming remembrance did not begin
TODD Justice to the beautiful reality A
soul full of tenderness and sensibility
seemed to have found a fitting home in
a person and face of perfect loneliness
and grace. oeFc rap er.oTYo
She blushed when, looking round, she
CHANGED to see me, and again the play of
expression on her features, which had
so interested me formerly, charmed me.
The more l studied her face the more
seemed to see into the pure depths of
her soul. l could have staked my life
on her as noble of thought and deed.
AS we returned home described my
fair neighbor and asked my mother who
she was.
"Her name," my mother said, "is Grace
Denny. and she is the most superior
Young woman l have ever in my whole
life met with. 1t is too soon to think of
such things yet" she continued, smiling,
but some years hence it would make
me happy to see my dear son married to
just such woman"
"NOt quite so fast, mother said /
laughing good deal to hide little boy
ish embarrassment, which was anxious
to conceal.
found that Grace had become a con-
slant visitor at my mothers and did
not fail to improve the opportunity of
becoming better acquainted with her.
Grace-sweet. noble Grace, with her
childlike simplicity and sensitive wO-
mans heart-whO could resist her? ]
could not; my whole soul was hers. In
vain I struggled-in vain had called
upon my vanity (of which I had plenty
to invOke) to save me from the mOrtifi-
cation of loving without return. IcOuld
not stem or control the passion which,
strong as mighty whirlwind, had seiz-
ed me. f8F
One evening sat by the piano, while
Grace sang to me, and dear Grace's 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.
1t was the last evening of my yaca-
ton, and surely l read gentle farewell
Thought in Grace's face. | was beside
myself with joy at the ideal was as If
in blissful dream-a rapture OF love.
As Grace rose to leave the piano caught
her hand, and enabled longer to repress