The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-06-27

'b eiVir mutual acquaintance
nmohg gentlemen. As the Major read
iicr note brilliant Thought occurred TO
MN. While talking business Miss Nell
certainly would not endeavor to tease
nm; his baShfulness never troubled him
while talking with ladies' on any subject
requiring common sense, opinion and
executive ability he shonld therefore be
able to feel at ease with Miss Nell, and
While in that unusual condition Ne would
make n confidant OF her and AJAX her nd.
'ice and assistance. lie would try 70
'i'lk to her ~ ii she were n mon; it might
De rash experiment, but he felt equal
70 almost any degree of rashness when
he Thought of how many times before he
had resolved and failed,
SO tue Major went to the Wallerson
home on Che evening appointed by mis-.
chieyous Miss Nell with u stouter heart
than he had felt, outside Of business
hours, sinro the wmtnded. He arranged
with the young lady to bring all his male
friends into tie surprise party, and she,
rather confused Ivy her new view Of the
'ialor's character, was most cltllsive in
hanks, and being only twcnty.tlrcc
ears Of agc and no older than her wears
'lgnilied, wiis completely astoundcd by
the Majors GOODNESS. She could not
help betraying her curiosity; she looked
ut the Major jnqriringly, she dropped
into rcyeries, and She said to her mother,
who came to the door Of the parlora mo.
mcnt about some affair stictly Of family
nature, that Mr.. Clinton was entirely
different to what she had imagined him
to be.
But the Major did not know all this,
and after the business of the evening
ended he began TO feel the Old familiar
cold sweat that had been his torment in
til" swomps Of the Chicahominey, iif-
teen years before. Conversation had
dropped TO the dead level of the National
Academy, the last new novel. and
Browns last volume Of poems. all of
which were very bad. Miss Nell looked
interested, pretty and sentimental until
the Major half wished she would he her
natural self, for he had at last reused
himself to the combative state and he
wanted to talk with her in the most
serious manner about her sister. AT last
he made desperate effort and said:
"Nliss Wallerson, called this evening
only on business, but have for long
time wanted to say something to You
about natter
Excuse me, just for an instant. Ma
lOr," interrupted Miss Nell, "the gas is
Kissing drcadfully. Won't you be good
enough to see which burner it is; I'm
just too short to reach any of them, I'm
sorry to say"
The Major fastened to the rescue.
He heard kissing noise, as of the escape
of too much gas, he could not be sure
which Of the six burners was at fault, so
he turned down one after another until
the noise stopped and the parlor was
almost dark.
"You are very kind" murmrcd Miss
Nell, tshc Major resumed his scat near
her, 'thc blowing Of gas is drcndfully
annoying TO the ear. BY the way, you
were saying that
The Mayor resisted temptation to
say, ooh, nothing of any consequence"
and said:
81 have been long the most rcvercnt
adorcr OF a certain young lady who
ooh, Maior!" exclaimed Miss Nell:
"the idea Of you being in love. Did
vou"-
excuse me, Miss Wallcrson," said
the Major hastily, "but no one is compc-
tent to pass an opinion on my condition
of mind but myself. / fully know my
own feelings, and merely wish an oppor-
tmity toexplain them in such manner ms
may he most respectful"
81 beg your pardon, Major, said I!iss
Nell, now entirely on her guard. "Plcasc
continue, and believe no one here can
duubt your sincerity"
The Majors heart gave n mighty
bound; evidently this mischicvous girl
suspected something and was willing to
suppress herself.
'1 have long been worshiping lady
whom | would have been glad to make
my wife," continued the Major, "if |
had not feared that my love and what
else ! had to offer her would not seem
compensation for what she would he
obliged to give up"
"Your thoughtfulncss does you honor,
Major, said Miss Nell, in the kindcst
way in the world.
"Thank you-thank you," said She
Major, hastily. perhaps, then, you
will understand why | speak with more
than my customary freedom. Miss Wal
lorson, l was trained in my youthful
days to such unqucstioning reverence
for woman rs woman that [ feel almost
like thief when ] think of asking any
woman for her hand and heart.
"Again, Major, l must say that your
thoughtiulncss and dclicacy do You
honor" said Miss Nell, as demurcly as
if she had never leased any one in her
life.
"Thank you-thank you," said the
Major again. 81 would like first to cX-
plain myself, if I may trouble you Tor a
moment. / am, / believe, an honorable
man; have good business and a good
bank account. want to devote both,
and my life, beside, to tic service OF me
sweetest woman that ever lived. l can
not expect her to love me as love her
for she is an angel and am only-well,
only man. ~ an
IA true man. sud Miss Nell, still as
demure as parson, sis as good as any
thing else in the world-even as good as
n true woman.
"Do you really think SOP asked the
Major. 81 must believe you against my
will, but entirely according to my ncIi-
nation. Well, the woman whom ] love
you know very well; no one can know
her better; she is pure, good, sweet,
noble tender -, Ar.
major MAORI" exclaimed Miss
Nell
"please don't contradict me on thl,
.I,u ,o;nt" said the Major; 81