Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-08

TO think of such things yet she con-
tinued, smiling, but some years hence
II would make me happy to see my
dear son married to just such = woman
Not quito so fast, mother said L,
laughed good deal to hide a little
beyish embarrassment, which was
anxious to conceal.
l found that Grace had become a
constant visitor at my nether'c, and L
did not fail 10 improve the opportunity
Of becoming better acquainted with her.
Grace-sweet, noble Grace, with her
child-like simplicity and sensitive wo-
mans heart-wbo could resist her :
I could not; my whole soul was hers.
In vain 1 struggled; in vain had I called
upon my vanity (of which l had plenty
to invoke) to save me from the morti-
fcation of loving without return. l
could not stem or control the passion
which, strong as mighty whirlwind,
hsd seized me.
One evening 1 sat by the piano,
while Grace sang to me, and dear
Grace's varying 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.
It was the last evening Of my vaca-
ton, and surely read a gentle fare
we'll thought in Grace's face. 1 was
beside myself with joy at the idea-I
was as If in a blissful dream-a rapture
of loye. AS Grace rose to leave the
piano I caught her hand, end unable
longer to repress the one thought that
fllsd my heart, / exclaimed ferYently:
'Grace-dear Grace-with my soul l
love youp
She lifted her large, soft eyes and
said slowly, as a mischieveus smile
stole over her face;
4 know IT,
She was gone before 1 had time to
prevent it, or TO reco yer frem my sur
prise.
The next day returned to college,
expecting to csmplets my studies IN
another year. A year How long to
be absent from the beloved being who
was TO me henceforth and forever,
whether she returned my love or not,
the nucleus around which all my
thoughts would revolve. 1 need not
say how often her strange and unsatis-
factory answer tormented me. I per-
ceived in her repetition OF the same
words her remembrance Of the time
when she had used them before, and
this, then, was the just punishment Of
my insolence. I tortured myself by
bringing the whole scene again and
again to memory-my passionate de-
claraiion Of love aud her provoking re-
ply: 4 know it, The deuce you dov
thought I, sometimes. I would 1 had
possessed the wit to have left yeu a
little more uncertain
often wondered that 1 was able TO
study at all at this time, for Grace was
never absent from my thoughts; she
had become the dream OF my life, the
object Of all my love sonnets, which
had until now been scattered on various
rival beauties. 1 did study, however,
and study hard, and at The end Of the
term passed exa minatiou, with high
honor, much to nv dear mothers pride
and joy.
determined to be wiser when saw
Grace again-to discover beyond q
doubt if were indeed beloved before l
committed myself as had done.
In order to satisfy myself on this
point, and perhaps also to crafty a little
piquc, when 1 returned home did not
90 Immediately to see Grace, but waited
until, at my mothers summons, she
spent an evening with US. Even than,
though nay heart was full Of tenderness
for her, affected coolnes,.
bad made up my mind 10 play a.
part, aud suffer as l might, would act
1t out. There was a young lady stay.
ing with my mother at this time who
dearly loved to airt, and I was quite
ready TO contribute to her amusement.
1 devoted myself to her the whole
evening, and felt tho sweetest pain
ever experienced when saw,by Grace'
dear, changing, sensitive face, that she
was deeply panied.
Whsu this foolery had been carried to
its heipht l perceived Grace suddenly |
rise and step through the open window
out Oh the piazza. In few minutes
followed her; she had retired to a little
from the window, aud stood
With her head resting against the rail-
ing, weeping. Stealing softly behind
her, 1 passed my arm around her and
whispered:
'Ah, dearest Grace, do not deny ii!
You love mel
There was little pause then laugh
ing, yet still half crying, Grace turned
aside her head aud said:
Alas 1 know it,
A heautifll person 10 the ma tural form |