The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-02-24


me to be hist o, bliss unspeakable- joy
undeserved! Was It dreaml No; there lay
that precious letter. Again and again read
tiny first love letter.
Twas . little disappointed in the letter for
gil that-it was too wild, too sentimental
more thoughtfully. wished that he had spoken
instead of written-it was so formal to have to
answer him. His proposal was not quite so
nice a. some had read OF. And yet should
no!
It was with heart full to overdowing that
I answered him. did so at once, for my pupils
and were going out and had Q chance Of
posting it; moreover, I felt that l could never
send 1t to him by hand. So, without waiting
to think, lest should lose my courage, l wrote
my answer. 1t was not an easy task.
how your letter surprised me. feel so fat
tered, 50 grateful to you for loving me. 1t
seems incredible that you should ask me to be
your wife. 1 feel can only answer the truth.
and that is that love you, and have loved you
MARION MORLEY"
This did not seem at all the kind of note to
| send, SO / wrote another and another, all
worse, until, in desperation, sealed and d.
rected the first. I did not allow myself to
think farther till I saw it safe in the post
Office, and then, for very shame, would have
gone in and asked for It back. I felt had
| taken plunge into unknown waters. My
| thoughts were in q state of chaos-I was joy
full, trembling and excited.
fear my four girls thought me very absent
| that afternoon. As we went out, Caroline
| and Amy, the two eldest, begged me to go q
different way from that which had chosen,
but said l must post aletter.
Let me run with it to the post, Miss Nor
ley," said Caroline. " 1t will take me only q
minute from the turnpike, and then We can
still go by the high-rOad.n
"No, must post it myself, DEAR" Il epl ed,
| hugging my letter tight.
They pressed me to l ct them take it, those
tiresome girls; and, like silly little thing 1
| said:
"You look so red, Miss Morley! Perhaps
| it is love-letter. l do believe it isl" she
| cried. as stupidity got more and more crimson.
You must not be SO forward; it is very
vulgar to talk about love-letters," answered,
according to my rule.
Is it vulgar to be in love, then, Miss Nor
ley!" she asked. " never knew that. Do
you hear, Amya It's vulgar to be in love-"
swell, not exactly vulgar, Of course, Car
| rie," extenuated; ''but it's better that young
girls like you and Amy should not talk OF such
Miss Morley, I've often heard papa say that
| he was in love with mamma when he was quite
| boy" said Amy. ''Was he vulgar!'
'Of course not, Amy" replied, because
because he married your mamma, anu IL was q
| suitable match in every way"
80, see!" said Caroline. But supposing-
| supposing-just for instance, you knOw-that
| you were in love with Mr.. ClitherOe-that would
| be vulgar, would it not!'
SHOW often have told you, Carrie, that it
is very rude and vulgar to make persona! re-
marks!" said. "We'u drop the subject, if you
please"
spoke with as much angry dignity as nv
confusion would admit. Tiresome, forward
children, lido believe their sharp eyes had some
how seen the address onmy letter! However,
it was posted; and the rest of the day and
night passed in a sort of trance. My upper
most feeling was wonder as to what would
come next.
l had to endure tormenting suspense all the
next dav. The post was my first trial; longed
to, yet dared not, look at the letters, and al
most felt relieved that there was not one for
me. Then every ring at the bell set my heart
quivering. At last, in the afternoon, when
was speaking to Mrs. Thomsoni in the garden,
Mr.. Clitheroe went past in the road. he only
bowed; but she beckOned to him to come in.
He did so; and grew red and pale, and the
hand held out to him trembled. He looked
conscious, tool saw that before l slipped
away. Would he tell Mrs. Thomson, and would
she send for mea But no summons came; and
night closed upon my wonder and excitement.
The next day brought my suspense to an
The girls had gone out with their mother, and
was free for few hours. l took my book
out into the garden, but could notread. The
click of the gate startled me. l leaned for
ward to see who 1t was, and beheld Mr.. Clith
eroe. o, how my heart beat, and how l
trembled as he approached!
elbow do you do, Miss Morley!" he said.
81 am glad to be able to speak to you alone,
for have something to say and to explain"
l stole glance at his face. He looked
flushed and agitated. He sat down, and there
1 IL. fnI IL
insupportable to me. Why did he not speak
or take my hand! o, l could have sunk at his
| feet and hidden my blushing facet
"Miss Morley" he continued, I received
letter from you yesterday"
eyes, yes," said, hurriedly. ut was q
stupid letter, know; but yours surprised me
go. never dared believe you could love me, :"
hands.
"When did you get the letter you answered."
he asked, gently.
"Tne day before yesterday" I answered;
and in my nervousness l drew it from my
pocket.
He put out his hand and took 1t. He read it
through, and then he took my hand.
"Miss Morley" he said, gravely and kindly,
| "believe me, you cannot know how highly
| respect and esteem you, and how difficult
find it to tell you that never wrote that letter
at ALL"
"Never wrote tr' Iechoed, stupefed.
NO." he replied; there is some mistake
here, some cruel jest. I never penned it; nor
is it my writing, though in close imitation.
Had SO meant to address you thrust should
have treated so high and holy a theme in a
more dignified manner. could not write to
you like that, Miss Morley"
81 thought, I felt" muttered. "But
you never wrote it-you did not, you do
not"
And then the real nature of my miserable
situation flashed upon me. 1t was all a mis-
take; he did not love mel
Il do not love you, Miss Morley, as that
letter says" he continued. " Forgive me; but
feel it is best and wisest to be frank with you.
have never yet dreamt of marriage. have
no present means, and have been o busy with
my profession to think as yet of love. Bit
terly deplore that some-I fear wilful-mistake
has exposed you to this unpleasantness."
listened as in q dream my head was buried
in my hands, and my very heart was faint o,
the shame, the humiliation, the misery of hav-
ing let him so openly see my love, which now
came back to me rejected! longed to fly, to
escape from my intolerable position. He had
tried to take my hand, but had waved him off.
$50 away, go away!" was all l could say.
/ heard his steps die away, and then my tears
came. For q long time sat on thus, crushed
and stunned BY this cruel blow. At last rose
Nh l. - - a.