Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-03-11

the school here when tie presen teach
er leaves3'
Alas, and again alas Instead of be
ing asked to be the mistres of his heart
as felt sure he was going to say,
was requested to take charge of lot
of dirty stupid children. For NOM
ent felt like crying out, then and
there, in vexation and disappoint-
ment; but keeping it down pY great
effort, ! replied, sharply:
Indeed, Mr.. Maxwell, my health
! is too delicate for me to sit cooped up
in that wretched little school house l
should not accept your offer on any
condition. and, without giving him
time to reply, darted down side
lane and reaching home and my room
once more deluged the pillows and
| Counterpart with my tears
I "Well, now, that's too bad, Susie, :"
said mother, when l again made her
my confident. II am sure both OF
them have hung around you enough
10 make any one think they were
head over heels in love with you; but
| they don't seem to have the slightest
idea of proposing. But never mind :;
that's only two disappointments, and
the third time never fails, as you
know"
A day or two after this, my cousin
Nina came over to spend few weeks
with us, and on the evening after her
arrival we went to party in the viii
lage, where we were introduced to a
lank youth of about "a summers, who
h~,ra fha nlI ,,.A oloeeTs, e !,
-Alonzo Smith.
My susceptible heart, having recov-
cred somewhat from the shock of my
previous misfortunes, was instantly
Unlisted in his favor, and that night,
| having been escorted home by HIM,
Nina whispered to me:
'Now, Susie, here is a chane to bind
up your wounds Qor she also knew Of
my failures), and succeed at last. l
guess Mr. Smith must be interested IN
you, for caught him looking slyly at
you several times during the evening. !"
At this my heart reioiced exceeding
ly, but, determined not to judge mat
tiers too hastily, laid no expectations
as yet. But when, after short &C
quaintance, Mr.. Smith came quite fire.
quently to see us, and became my part
ner IN dance, croquet, or ride, | once
more allowed my hopes to rise, and as
cended again into blissful realms of ex
pectancy and hope.
To be sure Mr. Smith danced occas.
ionally with Nina, and sometimes
gladced at her when she was seated by
me but he turned his glance so quick
ly away if she looked up at him that |
fancied it was because he did not wish
her to think that he entertained any
other feeling for her than that Of
friendship. Things went on in this
way for about month, when one eve
ming asI was sitting alone on the porch,
while Nina was in the paflor playing
the piano, heard step on the gravel
walk, and looking up saw Mr.. smith
approaching. Rising from my seat
with some little huttering, l babe him
good evening, and then sat down
again.
"Who is that playing?" he asked,
seating himself beside me.
THAT is Cousin Nina" / replied (;
''shall we go in and join her2n
mot just yet, ;" said Mr.. Smith, lay
ing his hand on my arm to detain me,
as ] was about to rise; II want to
speak to you for few moments
first"
Thinking that the time l had been
so long waiting for had surely come
at last, | leaned back to wait for the
blissful words which ! felt sure l
should soon hear.
Miss Susie, began Mr.. Smith after
few moments of silence, 81 have
come to you this evening to acqualnt
you with the secret of my heart and
ask your assistance in accomplishing
my dearest wishes"
He paused a moment and thinking
that perhaps he was waiting for me to
say something l fsltered:
81 will give you all the assistance
in my po yer, Mr.. Smith, and glanc-
ing rogmshly at him, l added: Il
hope you'll be successful"
"Thank you" he replied "and now
I'll state the case. During the last
few weeks l have fallen in love with
young lady, but the fear that | may
have loved in vain has prevented me
informing her of it, but to night | re
solved to wait no longer, but know
my fate. And now, Miss Susie, as
you seem to understand me, tell me,
am loved in return"
All, blissful moment, here it was
at last; for lie had caught my hand
and was looking eagerly into my face.
For a moment | was silent; then al
lowing my head to drop toward his
shoulder, / murmured in Happy tones
"Oh, Alonzo, can you doubt that |
love you2 Indeed, I"
But here l was interested by an ex-
clamation from Mr.. Smith, and raising
my head, saw that he was staring at
me in ans cement.
"Why, Miss-Miss Susiel' he STAN
mered, IL didn't mean you; pom
my honor l didn't. l was talking
about y our cousin, Miss Nina. l am
sorry you made such mistake, and"
But sprang to my feet, ready TO
die with modification at this third
disappointment, and sputtered out:
Mr.. Smith, don't you ever presume