The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-03-11

my face In my hands. He1Oved me-he wanted
me to be hsl 0, bliss unspeakable-oh, JOY
undeservedEWas It q dreamI No; there lay
that precious letter. Again and again read
Tiny first love letter. ~
Twas little disappointed In the letter for
all that-it was too wild, too sentimental. 1
faucied he would have written more soberly,
more thoughtfuly wished that he had spoken
instead of written--it was SO formal to have to
answer him. His proposal was not quite so
nice as some had read Of. And yet should /
quarrel with my bliss, come how It might! 2,
mol
1t was with heart full to overlooking that
answered him. did so at once, for my pupils
and we're going out aud had q chance Of
posting 1t; moreover, felt that could never
send 1t to him by hand. So, without waiting
to think, lest should lose my courage, wrote
my answer. 1t was not an easy task.
''DEAB Mr.. CLITHEROE:-I cannot tell you
how your letter surprised me. l feel SO nat
tered, so grateful to you for loving me. 1t
seems incredible that you should ask me to be
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. / did not allow myself to
think farther till / saw 1t safe in the post
Office, and then, for very shame, would have
gone in and asked for It back / felt had
taken plunge into unknown waters. Ny
thoughts were In a state of chaos was joy
full, trembling and excited.
fear my four girls thought me very absent
that afternoon. As we went out, Caroline
aud Amy, the two eldest, begged me to go a
different way from that which had chosen,
but said must post aletter.
Let me run with 1t to the post, Miss Nor
ley" said aroline. It will tase me only a
minute from the turnpike, and then we can
"No, must post it myself, dear" repl ed,
hugging my letter tight. ,r-
They pres 'ed me to l ct them take it, those
tiresome girls; and, like q silly little thing
turned as red as peony, whereupon Carrie
said: T ,lt f-t tif Et W
You look SO red, Miss Morley Perhaps
1t is love-letter. do believe 1t lisp she
cried, as stupidity got more and more crimson.
You must not be so forward; it Is very
vulgar to talk about love-letters, I answered,
according to my rule.
Is 1t vulgar to be in love, then, Miss Nor
leyl" she asked. g l never knew that. Do
Well, not exactlr vulgar, of course, Car
ric," Iextenuated; ''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
a boy" said Amy. "was he vulgarm
''Of course not, Amy" replied, because
because he married your mamma, and 1t was a
suitable match I'm every way" sste-
80, seel" said Caroline. But supposing-
supposng just for instance, you know-that
you were in love with Mr.. Clitheroe-that would
be vulgar, would it notP'
show often have told you, Carrie, that 1t
is very rude and vulgar to make personal re-
marksr' said. "We'll drop the subject, If yoi
please"
spoke with as much angry dignity as my
confusion would admit. Tiresome, forward
children, do believe their sharp eyes had some
how seen the address on my 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.
had to endure tormentiIg suspense all the
next dav. The post was M 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
quiycring. At last, in the afternoon, when
was speaking to Mrs. Thomsonin 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 I slipped
away. Would he tell Mrs. Thomson, and would
she send for met But no summons came; and
night closed upon my wonder and excitement.
The next day brought my suspense to an
end. 1t was Wednesday, our haIf-holiday.
The girls had gone out with their mother, and
was free for few hours. took my book
out into the garden, but could not read. The
click of the gate startled me. leaned for
ward to see who it was, and beheld Mr.. Clith-
eroe. o, how my heart beat, and how
trembled as he approached
How do you do, Miss Morley!" he said.
am glad to be able to speak to you alone,
for have something to say and to explain. ="
/ stole q glance at his face. He looked
flushed and agitated. He sat down, and there
was q minute of silence, which grew almost
insupportable to me- WHY did he not speak
or take my handl O, could have sunk at his
feet and hidden my blushing facet
Miss Morley" he continued, i received
letter from you yesterday"
stupid letter, know; but yours surprised me
so. never dared believe you could love me, y
stammered, and hid my glowing face in my
hands. ts4 rs.tf a.
''when did you get the letteryou answereda''
he asked, gently.
|" The day before yesterday" answered
and In my nervousness l drew 1t from my
He put out his hand and took II. He read it
through, aud 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. ;"
g Never wrote itl'' Iechoed, stupefed.
mo-" he replied; there is some mistake
here, some cruel jest. I never penned it; nor
is 1t my writing, though in close imitation.
Had so meant to address you thrust should
have treated SO high and holy a theme in q
more digniied manner could not write to
you like that, Miss Morley"
81 thought, felt I 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 mis-
take; he did not love mel
~ do not love you, Miss Morley, IS that
letter says"' he continued. 1" Forgive me but
feel 1t is best and wisest to be frank with you.
have never yet dreamt of marriage. have
no present means, and have been busy with
my profession to think as yet of love. I Bit
terly deplore that some-I fear wilful-mistake
has exposed you to this unpleasantness."
listened as in dream; my head was buried
In my hands, aud 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, butt had waved him of.
Go aWav po AWAY y, was ALI eould aav