Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-04-29

more so as l caught Caroline's eyes fixed
on me with an expression of amusement
feit that | was betraying myself. and
with mighty effort, / laid the letter
face downward upon the table.
Go on, Caroline" / said: don't
stop like that" And Schiller was re-
sumed, though it was as much as could
DO TO translate him decently.
Inc nrst free moment j had opened
the letter and read
dear Miss Morley,-Pardon me If |
seem abrupt, but | love you, l adore
you- You are beautiful as an angel
you are lovely as rose. / only live for
you. L cannot exist any longer without
you; love you as my own life. Give
me hope; say 'Yes'-that you feel some
interest in me that / may fiy to your
feet and there pour out my devotion.
Dearest Miss Morley, write to me. AN
swer me; tell me you will be nv bride.
In longing suspense,
Yours for ever,
ARTHUR CLITHEROE. d"
l dropped the letter into my lap and
buried my face in my hands. He loved
me-he wanted me to be hisl Oh, bliss
unspeakable-oh, JOY undeservedl Was
1t dream? No; there lay that precious
letter. Again and again read tiny
first love letter.
L was little disappointed in the let
ter, for all that-it was too wild, too
sentimental. | faneied he would have
written more soberly, more thought
fully. l wished that he had spoken in
stead 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 l quarrel with my bliss.
come how it might? Oh. no!
ltwas with heart full to Uverflowing
that | answered him. | did so at once,
for my pupils and | were going out and
had chance of posting it; moreover
felt that could never send it to him
by hand. So, without waiting to think,
lest | should lose my courage, / wrote
my answer. 1t was not an easy task.
"Dear Mr.. Chtheroe,-I cannot tell
you how your letter surprised me. l
feel so hattered, so grateful to you for
loving me. Il seems incredible that you
should ask me to be your wife. l feel
| can only answer the truth, and that
is that love you, and have loved you
for long time. YOURS,
marion MORLEY"
This did not seem at all the kind of
note to send, so wrote another and an-
other, all worse until, in desperation,
l sealed and directed the first. l did
not allow myself to think further till |
saw IL safe In the post-Office, and then,
for very shame, | would have gone in
and asked for it back. / felt l had
taken plunge into unknown waters
My thoughts were in state of chaos
| was joyful, 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 different way from
that which l had chosen; but | said 1
must post letter.
''Let me run with it TO the post, Miss
Morley said Caroline. ''It will take
me only minute from the turnpike,
and then we can still go by the high
road
mo, / must post it myself, dear" l
replied, hugging my letter tight.
They pressed me to let them take it,
those tireSome girls; and, like silly
little thing, turned as red as peony,
whereupOn Carrie said
sYou look so red, Miss Morleyl Per-
haps it is love-letter. L do believe it
ISL she cried, as l stupidity got more
and more crimson.
You must not be so forward; it is
very vulgar TO talk about loye-letters, :"
| answered, according to my rule.
sis it vulgar to be in love then, Miss
Morley?" she asked, II never knew
that. Do you hear, Amy? It's vulgar
to be in love"
"Well, not exactly vulgar, of course,
Carrie,"I extenuated; "but It's better
that young girls like you and Amy
should not talk of such things yet. p"
"Miss Morley, I've often heard papa
say that he was In love with mamma
when be was quite boy" said Amy.
"Was he vulgar?"
s'Uf course not, Amy" | replied,
s'because - because he married your
mamma. and it was suitable match III
every way"
.s0h. / seel'' said Caroline. but,
supposing- supaosing-just for instance,
YOU know-that you were Ia love with
Mr.. Clitheroe-that would be vulgar,
would it not?"
show often have l told you, Carrie,
that it is very rude and vulgar TO make
personal remarks?" | sad. We'll
drop the subject, if you please"
| spoke with as much angry dignity
as nv confusion would admit. Tire
some, forward children, do believe
their sharp eyes had somehow seen the
address on my letterl However, 1t was
nosted: and the rest of the day and night
passed in sort of trance. My upper
most feeling was wonder as TO what
would come next.
I had to endure tormentiug suspense
all the next day. The post was my first
trial: L ionged to, yet daret not, look at
the letters. and almost felt relieved that
there was not one for me. Then every
ring at the bell set my heart qulyering.
At last. in the afternoon, when L was
sneaking to Mrs. Thomson In the gar
den. Mr.. CIitheroe went past In the
road. He only bowed; but she Deck
oned to him to come in. he DID so;
and grew red and pale, and the hand
held out to him trembied. He looked
conscious tool saw that before L
slipped away. Would be tell Mrs:
Thomson. and would she send for meE
Rut no summons came; and night closed
mon INV wonder and excitement.
The next day brought my suspense TO
an end. 1t was Wednesday, our half
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. L leaned for
ward TO see who it was, and beheld MT:
CIitheroe. Oh, how my heart beat, and
how trembled as he approached
show do you do, Miss Morley = he
said II am glad to be able to speak 70
von alone. for have something to say
and to explain" uo,oo,,aa
stole a glance at his face. he looked
fnshed and agitated. He sat down, ana
there was a minute of silence, which
--ew almost insupportable to me. why
dld he not speak or take my hand On,
could have sunk at his feet anu hia-
dan NV blushing facel
"Niss Morley" he continued, re-
ca;ved letter from you yesterday"
s.Yes. yes.' / said hurriedly. II