Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-06-11

L
cheeks as if 1 had been only fifteen
instead of fve-and-thirty. Memory was
busy recalling the long-vanished sum-
mer, and how often I used to see my
boy-lover, since lost sight of for many
years. Ours had been one of those
youthful attachments which but sell
dom ripen into first and only love.
They are often but the prelude to the
strain, before the song is sung" We
were on the verge of an engagement
when Will was suddenly recalled to
his distant home, and I had seen him
no more. Yes, foolish as it may have
| been, l had always kept one corner of
| my heart sacred to his name, and it
was with a strange thrill that l heard
! he was again near me, and that I soon
| should see him.
That day he called with his friend,
| Harry Mills. He was a tall, fine-look-
ing man, polished. refined and fascin-
ating in his manner. I could hardly
| identify him with the slender youth
that had once known; but he referred
so gracefully to our former acquaint-
ance and expressed so much pleasure
at renewing the intercourse so sudden
ly interrupted, that 1 felt perfectly at
case
How pleasant were the days that
followed! We called each other VIII
and Lizzie" in the most friendly way,
and Lottie and COrnie seemed already
to regard him in very sisterly man
ner. We read walked and talked to-
gether, and night after night his deep,
rich voice would accompany those OF
my sisters, while played the old ia
miliar tunes upon the piano.
I fancied that my own voice might
have lost little of it's early sweet
ness, and so did not attempt to join
the others, whose melodies were so
harmonious.
Several other invitations were sent
as of yore to Misses Whitaker, and I
was fast forgetting that I was an old
maid, when, at an evening party
overheard the enviOus and ill-natured
remark, Just see that Elizabeth Whit
taker. What youthful airs she does
put on! Trying to catch Mr.. Lotus,
dare say"
How those words rang in my ears
long after the lights, the music and the
dancing were shut out. and I was alone
in my own room. How l catechised
myself, and tried to reason with nv
poor. foolish heart. Yes, 1 had been
trying to look young, and had appro-
priated Wills attention as a matter OF
course.
What right had I to mOnopOlize his
time? Was it not far more likely that
he would choose Lottie or Cornie-f
indeed he were to pay court to any Of
US? Even this was by no means GER
tain; he might go again as suddenly as
he had come; and I was startled to
find what a sad void his departure
would make in our circle, and still
more in my own heart.
"Ah, Elizabeth, Elizabeth" I solilo-
luized, take warning ere too later
The next morning I rose with a new
resolve firm in my mind; l would not
Iield to the sweet decisions Of love
would not, unasked. give my heart.
The world should not have cause to
augh at the silly fondness of an old
maid. Strengthened by these purposes.
was the better fitted for the trial
hat awaited me.
That very day VIII Lotus came, and
inquired for me alone. l caught a
quick glance passing between Lottie
md Cornie as | left the room, and
here was a more rapid pulsation at
ny heart as / entered the cool, dim
Dom where he was seated.
Elizabeth" he said tenderly. as he
COX my hand, edo you know what
riceless treasure have come to ask?
hardly dare to be SO bold, and yet.
amt heart never won fair lady, and
must not lose my courage"
How very timid he has grown I
bought. Can he not see that he has
ut to speak in order to VIM"
l smiled assuringly, and he proceed
d.
do not think me precipitate in my
Election, though the acquaintance has
cen so brief. for I cannot be mistaken
/ my feelings. and only wait your per-
lission to offer my hand to your pet
ster, COrnie You stand in the place
E a parent to her. and therefore I
sked your consent"
All, Will. Will, 1t was well you
,uld not read my heart just them
With a mighty effort l choked down
convulsiye sob, and replied that he
ld my full, free permission: and add
e that | would send COTnie to him
rectly. left the room sadder and
wiser woman.
There is not much to add Comics
We was already given TO the hand
me man so recently a stranger; and
very few months later she became his
ife