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For no one seems to fill your thoughts less
than she.”
“That reminds me that I must make her a
call this evening, as I have something of im
portance to communicate to her.”
“What! that you have purchased the wed
ding ring? I’ve known persons to be forget
ful of this—though ’tis strange.” She was
checked.by a beseeching glance from her
brother.
“Well, in what other manner,” added she,
“am I to account for your unusual gaiety ?
unless indeed your heart is captivated by Miss
Stanley. Dear Arthur you can't have the
heart to slight May bedding, it is beneath
you.” A more quizzical smile than ever light
ed his face as he answered.
“No fear of that, Sis, no fear of that. It
was only last night that I proposed and was
accepted ; now you see I have reason to be
gay. But to change the conversation. We
will have to weave you a beautiful chaplet
for Tuesday, as none but the choicest flow
ers can enter into competition with your brow.
In truth I heard Fred say —”
“Well, what did he say,” responded his
sister who had been attempting to interrupt
dim during his preceeding sentence, until he
mentioned the name of one dear to her —and
then her curiosity was excited.
“I*ll not tell now, “he will, himself, whis
•
per it in your ear on Tuesday.”
The happy day at length arrived. The
first of May. A merry party had been plan
ned for this day, and on this account the hearts
of many beat high with bright anticipations of
pleasure on its arrival.
Octavia Camming had been chosen queen
by common consent. Stanley had pledged
his word tor his presence and that of his sis
ter.
Never dawned a day more auspiciously
than this. It was exactly suited to the pur
pose for which it was intended. One might
search the world over and not find a better
place for a May-party than the one selected
on this occasion. It was at the foot of a
mountain, at whose base flowed a stream,
which filled the grove through which its chan-*
nel lay with a gentle murmur. Its bed was j
rocky, and as it dashed over and around these,
it seemed also to partake of the spirit of the
day. Presently it reached a place where ior
merly there was intended to he a mill, and the
stream was obstructed by rocks piled to the
height of twelve feet or more. Most of this
had once been natural, and formed a pretty
little cataract. Now the water crept between
the stcJhes, down the face of the precipice.
In one place only it made a fair spring to
the bottom, this part was only a foot or two
wide, but rushed through with great force, and
reached the bottom almost in one continued
stream.
Here it lingered a while, as though loth to
leave this pleasant retreat, and then sped on
its way.
one place in this noble grove grew a
dump of trees, so close that they formed a
shade impervious to heat and rain. Under
these there were benches, and the ground was
cleanly swept. Flowers lay scattered around,
and on places formed for the purpose hung
baskets and also a fanciful paper box.
In the most prominent part of this natural
arbour, was a rude throne gaily decorated,
and completely covered with light blue cloth.
Garlands were hung from one tree to another,
and evergreens around their trunks gave quite
a picturesque, appearance to this May-day
rendezvous.
Farther back from tbe side of the mountain !
there sprung a crystal spring. Gushing forth
from the roots of a wide-spreading oak, it me
andered through the neighboring copses until
it reached the stream before mentioned. The
sight of this spring was as refreshing to the
eye as its water was pleasing to the taste. — (
Round about it spread a thick carpet of green .
grass. A favorite spot was this, and worthy j
~ e itself to stamp the place as fitting for the ;
Dainrßis&ißY ©a smith*
purpose to which the whole grove was as
signed. The day was balmy and serene, a
light wind gently stirred the trees, and birds
gaily hopping from branch to branch, poured
forth their gladsome songs. And now groups
poured in from all quarters, and assembled
around that rude throne. This was soon oc
cupied by the peerless Octavia. For a brief
while there was a general hush, a silence of
expectation. Arthur Cumming arose and pro
posed that the coronation should take place,
and declared his friend Frederick the most fit
ting to perform the ceremony. All eyes turned
to behold Stanley, but he was not there. He
and his sister had not arrived. What was to
be done I They could not wait. At this
juncture Arthur again arose. In a few words
he explained the matter to all.
“ Another,” said he, “ can perform, the
office as well. Therefore I propose that we
appoint Mr. Mansfield to place the crown on
the queen’s brow.”
This was addressed to a handsome stran
ger who at this time was standing near Ar
thur’s betrothed. For a moment he remain
ed the cynosure of all eyes. His was a fine
form. He had black glossy hair and whis
kers. These extended from ear to ear cover
ing the lower part of his face. Yet not at all
did they seem too large. He had only arriv
ed in the town the previous evening, and be
ing acquainted with a. young man, named
Edgar Hall, (a cousin of Arthur’s) was by
him pursuaded to remain a while and attend
the May-party. He readily assented, and
was made acquainted with several of those
present, including Arthur and May.
As soon as Arthur had finished, Hall arose
and addressed the stranger. He asked him
if he would consent to set the crown in its
destined place, upon the fair May-queen’s
head? With graceful courtesy which gained
for him the esteem of all, the stranger accep
ted the proffered favour declaring himself only
too highly honored.
He possessed one of those mellow voices
that find their way to the inmost recesses of
the ear, causing the heart to thrill with vague
pleasure.
Arthur had by this time taken down the
paper box before spoken of, and placed it on
a bench near the throne. With ease and dig
nity, joined with inimitable grace, Mr. Man
field now took the chaplet and placed it on
Octavia’s head. As he saw that garland con
trasted with her dark hair, the jasmine rebuk
ed by the fairness of her brow, and the rose
vieing with her cheek in delicate hues, and
ready to fade from envy, he uttered a compli
ment full of high toned gallantry, which
caused her very heart-strings to tingle with
delight and happiness.
The crowd now flocked to do her homage.
The town’s fairest daughters saw in her one
so superior to them in beauty that they felt
no envy.
Mansfield was now formally introduced to
Octavia by her brother, as the son of distin
guished parents in one of our largest cities.
Mansfield took his station by har side, which
he rarely left during the day. No servile
adulation marked his conversation. But
words breathed from a soul full of poetry and
honor, and uttered with a magic tenderness
fell upon her ears. Such words as we can
imagine the high born cavaliers to have used
in the days of chivalry. Suddenly the lively
violin sent sweet invitations through that
pleasant grove, and all repaired to the old
oak tree, where, upon that carpet of green,
to the tune of sprightly music, those gay
couples tripped it lightly with untiring feet.
To have seen Mansfield and Octavia, Arthur
and May. together with others of distinguish
ed mien, as they glided hither and thither
near that limpid fount, one could have imag
ined them a company of sylvan beings assem
bled to do reverence to their Queen , and to
enjoy themselves , so novel was the scene.
The dance, over, they separated into cou
ples. Some took their course up the moun-
tain’s side, others in different directions
through the grove. But Philip
led his partner along the bank gently laved
by the mountain stream, Behind them fol
lowed Arthur and Mary. They reached the
fall, and as Octavia had often done the same
thing before, she did not hesitate to cross
over the very edge itself. She walked in ad
vance closely followed by Mansfield.
When she was about half way across
Octavia stepped on a loose stone. It trem
bled under her. She tottered for a moment
on the brink and then would have plunged
headlong down, had not the stranger with ad
mirable presence of mind, passed his arm
around her waist, and borne her quickly to
the opposite shore. It passed so suddenly
that nothing was said by any one. When
Philip placed his burden on the grassy bank,
her face was blanched, but a look so full of
thankfulness met his gaze, that it would have
repaid a thousand dangers. Arthur though
greatly excited led May, carefully across
and then grasped the stranger’s hand. Nev
er to his dying day did he forget that action.
May clasped her friend in her arms and wept
for joy at her escape. And there they re
mained.
Where was Fred. Stanley all this time ?
Ales for his suit, a powerful rival was near,
having the advantage of an open field. Phil
ip Mansfield seemed likely to erase the im
pression made on the heart of May’s friend
by Stanley. True, the latter had been in the
field longer than the former, but who could
resist such a wooer as Mansfield, and under
such obligations?
Carefully crossing the dangerous place,
they returned to the spring. There a cloth
was spread, and on it lay many tempting vi
ands. But at this time Arthur formed a de
termination to go and see what had detained
his friend and his sister Julia. His departure
caused no derangement, as Hall had escorted
May—and Mansfield would be sure to see
Octavia home. After the meal they all affec
tionately bade each other farewell, and re
paired to their respective residences. Not
again was that pleasant party to be assembled
until a whole year should have passed.
That night found Philip Mansfield paying
his court to the only being that had, in all his
wanderings, ever made a durable impression
upon him. During the evening Arthur en
tered, wearing his lately-acquired dubious
smile. He only wished “to inform his sister
that he had called on Fred, to make him ac
count for his broken promise. That he
would come the following evening with his
sister and explain all to them.”
Again was Octavia and her wooer alone.
To his inquiry after the persons concerning
whom she was interested, she informed him
with a slight blush that “ it was an old and
valued friend of her brother’s, for whom they
w r ere solicitous. He had promised to bring
his sister to the party that day, but had failed
to do so.”
During the succeeding day Octavia was
sad, very sad. Should she prefer the hand
some, flashing Fred., or the graceful winning
Mansfield. She did not attempt to choose.
Her heart fluttered like a bird in its cage.
She loved them both. They admired her.
One was her beau ideal of a gentleman the
other more winning and her ‘preserver. She
knew not what to do. That night however
would decide. Both were to be there. She
dreaded, yet longed for, the approach of dark- j
ness. It came and Philip was announced.
He being present she forgot all else. At
length she began to look anxiously for the i
arrival of the others. But they came not. ‘
Finally the bell was heard. Her heart beat
tremendously. The door opened and Arthur
advanced through it. He remained only a
short time, and uttering something significant
retired.
“Have you been long acquainted with Mr.
Stanley, ’ said Mansfield addressing Octavia.
“Only a week or two. But I seemed to
have been long acquainted with him the very
first time I saw him. I have seen his letters
often, and heard brother speak of him fre
quently.”
“He is then a favorite of yours?”
Octavia attempted to deny this, but the tell
tale blood rushing to her face rendered the de
nial unavailing.
“Would it please you if he was to arrive
here now ?”
“Certainly,” she replied.
“Look then.”
And he tore off those glossy whiskers, and
hurled to the corner opposite that raven wig.
Astonishment! Frederick Stanley stood re
vealed to her w r ondering gaze.. She rose
suddenly from her seat. She could hardly
believe her eyes. Frederick Stanley and
Philip Mansfield were one.
“Your name is ?’*
“Frederick Stanley.”
“And your sister!”
“I have none.”
Amazement! did she not sit in the same
room and converse with her for an hour at a
time , more than once!
Frederick dropped on one knee as she
sunk into a seat.
“ ’Tis useless concealing it any longer. We
are one.' 1
And he poured forth in a full, impassioned
tone his adoration for her, his hopes, his
fears. He avowed unalterable love, unwa
vering attachment, if she would consent to be
his. He made known to her that it was alia
stratagem undertaken at the request of her
brother. He prayed for forgiveness for hav
ing deceived her, as it was now over and no
evil had resulted.
Well vcas that suit pressed, for when he
ceased their eyes met. He clasped her to his
bosom, and she leaned on his shoulder and
wept in unrestrained happiness.
“Why did you make me the victim of all
this. Why was it that you chose me as the
object of your mockery?”
“’Twas a mere trial of your powers of
perceptior.—yen must know tlat one of the
chief ingredients of my character is humor.
And conversing of you, on my arrival your
brother informed me of your natural clever
ness, and dislike of being out-witted. To
gether, we plotted to deceive you.—Having
never seen you, I was unaw are of the person
against -whom we were intriguing. Had I
known you as I now do, one so matchless in
beauty and accomplishments, and so bewitch
ing, I would have been the last person to
conspire against you. My fate was sealed
as soon as I saw you, but Arthur would not
let me deviate from our plan. Now lam
glad it was carried through, as it has resulted
so fortunately for me, and caused me to ac
complish in days, what would have taken
months in the usual way.”
“ But you should’nt have deceived me so,
you don t know how much pain you have
caused me.”
“ I humby crave pardon, nevertheless
you should scold Arthur, as I was merely the
instrument. He planned it all.”
“Ha, ha, ha ! you understand the cause of
mygayety now, sister of mine. In love with
Julia Stanley—oh, but it’s rich. Completely
deceived. The penetrating Ockie caught at
last. Ah, b red, I knew you were a master
hand. And your sister. Come Ockie let's
visit your dear friend! 1
Thus did Arthur rally his sister, as he en
tered the room followed by Edgar Hall anti
May Fielding.
“Your dear friend who must certainly
come and remain with you. That was the
best part of all, Fred. But I know you've ta
ken lessons at it in our young days at college.
For your countenance quickly decided the
feminine characters in your favour, even it
you had not been so very graceful.”
“ Come explain all. And make Ockie own
that she has been imposed on.”
“You will perceive,” replied Frederick