Year: 1860

IL.
| said, in tone which meant should be parti-
cularly severe. Let the conversation end
here"


Mr.. John Blaiklie laughed in my face, which,
by the way, was just what be ought not to have
done. The consequence was that grew angry
in a moment.


" You can laugh as much you please"
continued. g There is certain class of people
in the world that characterize themselves by
laughing at their own folly. You have heard OF
them, haven't you?"


40, yes"


Again John Blaiklie laughed, a good -natured,
happy laugh, which did not testify very strongly
for the depth of anguish at my decision. OF
course grew more and more PICKED; no.l :.
more could have been expected OF me-


" You are very gentlemanly, Mr.. Blaiklie,"
said, in a tone which | meant should be very
sarcastic.


"And am aware of that, too my little Bes-
sic" he answered, good -naturedly.


'Cousin Fannie admires you very mueh,r
said, significantly, for the moment forgetting my
anger.


"She does"


He grew suddenly thoughtful, and bent his
large, honest blue eyes to the floor Then, as if
a new resolution had suddenly become fixed in
his mind, he arose, saying:


You are quite sure of this, Bessie, quite
sure ?"


eyes, quite sure If you wish to try your
luck in that direction, you may be certain of
success


"Thanl you, Miss Bessiel .cM try.p
Miss Bessie In all his life John Blaiklie had
never addressed me in that way before stared
at him in very surprise. He did not appear to
notice me, but went towards the DOOR saving a
little sadly, | thought, as he paused at the
threshold:


81 have troubled you, not mpudenty, Bes-
sic, but because, until now, have been igno-
rant of your true feelings. The past l cannot
recall. The future shall speak for ITSELF Good
morning u


q Good morning !" taltered forth, still staring
at him with blank amazement. For little
moment l could not really believe that he had
gone-not until his footsteps grew faint in the
distance, and looking out of the window could
but dimly see his tall figure through the thick
mass of shrubbery that lay between the house
and the road; then drew long sigh, not of
relief, l am sure, such as might have been ex-
pected from young lady who had suddenly
found herself ridden of an annoying lover but
a sigh which puzzled my own heart to define.
| do not know what first put the thought into
my head that should not marry John Blaikle
From my childhood, even, had been taught to
look upon him as my future husband. Through
the whole neighbortoCd our engagement had
grown to be such q settled affair, and of such
long standing, that people forgot to tease us
about it, and passed by indifferently as
though we had been married couple of years


instead of too interesting engaged young per-
sons. But somehow, as said before, cannot
tell why it came to me, the idea that marrying
John Blaiklie not the best way of settling
myself for life, after all and so, working upon
this, grew to believe that did not love him
and not loving him, what could do but assure
him that should never be his wife? And that
assurance gave him, as | have already shown.


Bnt after he left me that morning, felt any
thing but comfortable; indeed, the tears came
constantly to my eyes, and though tried as well
as | could to keep them down, they conquered
me at last and sinking down in my chair, gave
up and had good hearty cry. | felt little
better after that, and tried TO persuade myself in
my own mind, that | had done just the best
thing | could do for the insurance of Johns and
my own happiness. But the worst was yet to
come.


The next Sabbath, John attended Cousin Fam
ME to church. This was such new and strange
order OF things, that it set the whole congrega-
tlon TO staring. Cranston could not sleep under
anything SO incomprehensible and for that Sab
bath, at least, good Parson Green preached to a
wakeful set OF hearers. But they could only
conjecture as to the cause of the change. and
conjecture they did, without leaving but little
time for any other mental speculation. Some
were ready to declare that Cousin Fannie had
supplanted me in Johns affections and that
was breaking my heart in a secret kind of way
| about it, others said that the fault rested with
| me- and that was looking in another and high
er direction for a lover. But I had the trnth.
and most sacredly did guard it. 1t grew to be
a very plain truth before the summer was gone.
As time wore away, and saw plainly into the
depth of my heart, knew that for a childish,
| girlish whim, had put the happiness of a life
| time away from me. But could only wear a
brave face, aud keep my secret away from the
prying, curious gaze of these who were search
ing for it.


| did not often meet John, and but twice du-
ring that summer we thrown into each
others company for sufficient length of time
to exchange a dozen words. Once we met at a
picnic. From the moment that stepped upon
the grounds, knew that he was intending to
| speak with me. Perhaps l felt it, by the way
he watched me as | went from place to place
| When he came to my side, it seemed that the
whole party hushed Voice, heart and soul, to
| listen to US. He smiled at this, and commenced
talking in pleasant, gosspy way about the
weather, appearing not to notice my flushed face
and slightly disturbed manner.


" Are you enjoying the best of health, this
summer" he asked, at length, with, thought
faint touch of mischief in his face
"The very best of health, Mr. Blaiklien
answered, curling my lip. Perhaps you have
been informed to the contrary however,
continued, more in answer to his smile than
aught else. " Cranston gossips have, believe,
given me the credit of bearing up under set
tied heart-disease.p


"They are inferior judges Bessie. Do not
class me among them'
3" ! never have | answered drvlv


"No, suppose not he said, smiling again.
This is beautiful grover


Very |" / answered, feeling that it was my
turn to smile now.


"Have you noticed the arrangements made
for daucers?2


shook my head.


"Come this way then, if you please"


lie offered me his arm, which | took without
thinking to thank him. For little moment !
forgot that the right of claiming his attention
was not mine. 1t seemed so like old times to
be walking by his side, watching his face, and
listening to the tones of his voice Before | |
could help it, I found myself signing long and |
deeply. If John noticed it, he was very for
bearing, for by look or word he did not reply TO
i Dd. thought TIE silence VA little loo 1