Year: 1860

lokiBg up perceived my soulful look, and blush
ing deeply which only made her look all the
more lovely; turned her back toward me-
But, as good luck would have it, there was d
mirror in the front part of the omnibus, which
when she turned her face away from me in that
direction. gave me ss faif flew of llef as
could wish, and there l sat and gazed and
dreamed aud dreamed and gazed unpercieved
as l thought by the lady; but who, as after
werds learned was perfectly aware of the fact
all the while, although seemingly, so uncon-
scious Of it. Oh these girls they are the
plaques of our life, but after all, lite would be
one dull; long, weary day without them:


was soon aroused to consciousness, by the
" bus stopping in front of very pleasant
looking house, ahd fere the object of my fer
vent alteration alighted ard was received at
the door by very pleasant looking matron
whom she greeted by the gentle name OF
mother, at the same time covering her face
with shower of warm kisses: Oh ! how
much coveted those kisses wonder if COM
mtted sin then in coveting them? if I did
don't believe / shall be held responsible, be-
cause 1 couldn't help it. Wonder where is
/ the man who could, under the same circum-
stRnees? This, then, was her home and not
/ far from the home to which am going !
How lucky! So l carefully noted down the
name of the street, took good look at the
house ard surroundings, SO that there would
be no danger of missing the place, for l was
resolved to spare no pains in making her ac-
quaintance and win her love if possible.


Here my good fortune smiled on me again,
for nv cousin Tom who had recently mar
red and settled here, and whom had come to
visit, and of whonf made inquiries concern
ing that fair unknown. happened to know her
intimately would be happy to introduce me
as soon as possible; rumor said she was en-
gagged wouldn't vouch for the truth of the
matter however, that need not hinder you
from calling when do you prefer to call y
Well, I preferred going that very evening,
found her more charming than ever at home
in her neat calico dress, and linen collar :! The
best place after all to select wife is, | think,
by her fathers fire-side. That evenings fisfa
was followed by many others in quick success
sion, and I soon learned the fact that all my
future hopes of happiness in this life were CEN
tered in Isabel Clark | had noticed several
times during my frequent callsg the presence of
an elderly looking man in the parlor, who
seemed to be on very intimate terms with the
family, and quite familiar with Isabel. But
there was such a manifest difference in their
age, and appearance, that l Set him down
merely as friend of her fathers " only that
and nothing more,'' and besides her bearing
toward mfe was so kind and deferential, that |
never even admitted thought of there being
rival in the case, and least of all he's being
one. Still my love grew deeper, and stronger
every day yea, every hour. and longed for
AN opportunity TO tell it hers but it seemed Is
if never was to be blessed with one for her
mother, or some other member of the family
or that old gentleman happened always to be
present when | Was there, ne matter to how
late an hour | prolonged my stay, aud aliho'
I had invited her frequently to drive or walk
with me. :. Ma thinks it too damp for me to
go out, or, am suffering from severe cold,'
&c, &c, were the excuses she always gave me.
l, of course, thought the excuses both fight
and proper. Poor foolish man that [ was
why were not my eyes opened SO that | might
have sren and been warned e'cr it was too
late. Loves blind they say. and believe
it blind and deaf to everything but the face
and voice of the beloved one.


The time allotted for my fist was fast
drawing to Il close, and see her to tell her of
the love that was consuming mel must e'er
took my departure. | might have commit
ted my feelings to paper and sent it her, but
think that most despsable way of disclosing
ones love, and never will resort TO it unless
necessity compels me. Still. finding no oppor
tunity of addressing her on that all important
subject, sent her note with the request to
see her alone that evening. The answer was
encouraging. and soon as the shades of evening
fell, on the wil4ss of love ! flew " to her side,
found her alone, at her feet told her all my
love for her, so deep, so rich, and wide, then
concluded by asking her to be my bride,


Ever tripping by my side,


Ger lifes toilsome way.


4 strange, bright smile Fitted DER her love
ly features us she replied to my eager question
ing One week from to-day, and you shall
have MY answer" / felt that it was long
time to wait, but then q Hope told such fiat
tering tales" gathered up frof.s that strange,
bright smile. The week flew by on leadcn
wings to me, and its close found me on my
way, with hopeful heart. to Isabels. / was
obliged to pass the Post Office on my way
there, so 1 stepped in and inquired for letters.
One was handed 'me which l opened gshile
waiting for others, when Oh horror of hor-
rors it contained an invitation to Isabes
wedding, which would take place the next
evening at st. Peters church. 1t is great
wonder-the intensity of my feeling was so
great-that did not drop right down there
where I stood but suppose the knowledge of
so many persons around me prevented me from
giving way to my emotions. l turned my
steps homeward musing OF the uncertainty
of human hopes" but resolved that l would
go to the wedding, even if it killed me to see
her united to another Well went, saw the
fair young bride, robed in silk and laces, and
crowned with orange blossoms, walk up the
fower-strewn aisle, leaning on the arm of her
father; heard her clear, musical voice pro-
nounce the solemn words which made her an
others through life,- tkeirlef for ] could stay
no longer, and came to my room feeling very
sad, but without gaining any more wisdom
than before possessed, as / have already bro
ken the resolves made last night, never to
again place my affections on womankind.-
Some folks say, WbateveF is to be, UiH be-"
do what we will to prevent it. So suppose
! am to be prosecuted all my life long by the
dear angels, and fall victim at their shrine
at last. WE'LL don't believe 1 could perish
engaged iiF a cause more glorious so l will be
faithful unto them till death.


But to think of her marrying that old
coot," as widow Bedott says, the same so of
ten met at hep hoaee. To think of her ma
king choice of him-a man old enough TO be
L q. Al.


wig too, and as full Of whims as an old-that
is rather an unkind name-an ancient maid
en- lady" and-judging from his peculiar gait
was more than slightly rheumatic to think
Of her taking him, when she might have