Beadle's Dime Novels No. 35: East and West — page 67: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A CONFESSION. 67 “Tm sure I never asked myself, nor thought about it,” she replied, raising her modest eyes, with a truthful glance. “Ts that true? Oh, Minnie! I had hoped you had.” There was no stratagem about this burst of disappointed feeling; and its reality touched the gentle heart of his listener. “JT have sometimes dreamed of loving some one like you, Mr. Harris—some time when I am older and wiser,” said Minnie, blushing. ‘‘ But when you and my cousin Constance came here, I thought you just suited for one another ; and I know not why, except on this account, and your intimacy, I believed you were engaged. I could not think J was any thing in comparison with Constance, that I should be loved; and—” “ And you would not love unasked? Ah, Minnie! genuine love can not wait to be asked. You have no word of encour- agement for me, to lighten the heaviness of parting a “TI do not think it would be hard to love you,” Minnie murmured, smiling, with tears in her eyes. “Thank you, little Fawn! Ill trouble you with no more questions; but let my precious one remember that she is the day-star of my hopes, to-day and forever! I am going to be absent two or three months, Minnie, when I shall find it hard to stay away; but if I can have the promise of your love when I return, I shall have something to make the future bright.” Minnie was tempted to bestow the happiness it was in her power to confer, by three words, spoken on the spot; but the truthfulness of her nature prevented her speaking them, and her bashfulness made her wish to end the conversation. Therefore she gently withdrew her hands from his, and resumed. her needlework. Fletcher, who was, as he said, no “ ladies’ man,” forebore to follow up the slight advantage he had gained by her last confession; and Minnie, in her-grati- tude, became more self-possessed, and, unconsciously, more beautiful than ever before. “T don’t see,” she said, after a thoughtful silence on both sides, “how any one can help admiring Constance. You must have seen some very beautiful ladies, Mr. Harris. Is not she as beautiful as any ?” comiicldooks.comr