Year: 1859




now, answer NY question.


81 never could get any one to have me, ;
said May shortly. ''Are you satisfed?"
"No. You need not tell me that per
son so attractive as you are has never yet
had ardent lovers. l know better, May
SO tell me truly why you are not Mrs
Somebody, now?


May suddenly sobered down and sait
nervously-"It,s because no man whose
. love could return ever loved me-"


And she resumed her work


How her face had altered There haG
come over it stern, hard expression, as
she were saying inly-


at matters mott can wrestle down
these yearnings for something worthy, and
noble, and true, and strong against which
to lean; for something winning, and tender,
and loving, which to love. If there is no
heart on earth whose best love is the love
l want, can do without i'll can walk
to the end of life as l have walked thus
far"


Rossiter regarded her in long silence.
He had known her for many years, and had
often wondered at her great indifference to
the attentions of gentlemen. He had even
on more than one occasion, taken her to
task for her manner toward them.


"You won't allow them to become ac-
quainted with you at all, !" he said. when
you are introduced to man that's the last
of it. All the young men admire, but
they are afraid of you. You chill them
to deatt. heard one man say that he
thought you a BEAUTIFUL and interesting
creature; but then he would as soon un-
dertake to warm into love an iceberg as
yourself-even if he had courage enough
to make the attempt"


A skeptical smile had been the only an
swer to such questions.


How could May believe that she was Ca
pable of inspiring affections in others when
those who knew her best were so lightly
touched by it.


Rossiter had been for three or four years
absent and had nesrly returned when the
above conversation took place. He was
comfortable, cid bachelor, happy in dispO-
sitiOn, happy in possessing an independent
fortune, and happy in his sisters home
not to say happy in the comp anionship Of
May, whom he honestly believed to be
about the best and most lovely girl in the
world. He had once dearly loved and sud-
denly lost fair charming bride; and nev-
er since had he allowed himself to think
of loving And besides he did not know
as he wished to marry. He was WILL sat
isfed with his estate and condition =
when he was at home. To be sure he did
feel uneasy and dissatisfied all the while
he was abroad He did miss his sister so
and May --oh! how glad he was to see
them when he rcturned-and how strange
he thought it was that May didn't rush at
him in the hall and hug and kiss him just
as his sister did; but he took full satisfac-
ton of the contrary creature when she did
come to welcome him.


"And SO May isn't married yet" he
said, well it's rather too bad; but l am
glad of it


May came very near sighing, but she
did not-at least not audibly. How many
still-born sighs there are in the world. 1t
is well it is no crime to smother them at
their birth.


Well, Rossiter sat studying that still. |
stern face before him, and he thought
new thoughts-new as their present rela-
tons.


May" he said. at length, ",lay, was
ever there a man that you could have loved
had he asked it?''


Like crimson dye up rose the hot
blood of that bowed head, and the hard |
look was Put on the instant-but she only
slid, not lifting her head or eyes


"THat you have no right to ask"


Il have no need to ask, dear May? For
give me, if 1 mistake; but I feel as if |
had been favored by revelation Of-of-
that l have been blind and stupid fellow
as ever lived. May, if man whom you
regarded as you do the plain old fellow be-
fore you, were to ask for your love, what
would you say?"


Yes" said May, dropping her head
till her face was hid among the wOrsted


"Will you have me?' cried Rossiter
springing up and upsetting his chair.


Yes" said voice from the worsted
depth.


Rossiter was on his knees, and most fer
vently embracing chair, wOrsted, and wO-
man.


Marry me? will you marry me?" said
he.


YES" was heard from amidst the
worsted.


Then hold up your head, and let me
look upon the face of my wife. St George
May, l believe have loved you for years?"


"And know 1 loved you almost ever
since knew YOU said May, yielding to
the gentle force which drew her from her
low seat and led her to one where there
was room for two.


"And that's why you never cared about
any ether mans company and attention,
my May?"