Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-08-19

covered his embarrassment, however, by
rising. His companion continued
And nov, Harry, let US stroll down
Broadway, for, to tell the truth, promls.
ed my vile to bring you home with me.
Besides, Mary is there, and I've no doubt, %
he continued jocularly, "you are dying
to meet her"
Ashton could not answer; but he fol-
lowed his friend into the street, conscious
that Mary and he must meet, and feeling
that the sooner it was done the better.
His companion, during their walk, ran on
in his usual gay style, but Harry scarce
ly heard word that was said. His
thoughts were full of his cousin. Had
she indeed became cold to all other men
from love to himselfl Strange and yet
delicious thoughts whirled through his
mind, and he woke only from his abstrac-
ton on finding himself in Seacourt's draw
ing. room, and in the presence Of his cous-
IN.
Mary was on visit to Mrs. Seacourt,
and did not know of Ashton's intended
coming, until few minutes before he
made his appearance. Devotedly as she
loved her cousin, she would have given
worlds to escape the interview, but retreat
was impossible, without exposing the long
treasured secret of her heart; she nerved
herself, accordingly, for the meeting and
succeeded in assuming a sufficiently com.
posed demeanor TO greet her cousin with
out betraying her agitation. He exchang-
ed the common compliments Of the occa-
sion. with her, and then took seat by
Mrs. Seacourt, who had been one of hi.
old friends. Mary felt the neglect. she
saw he did not love her. That night she
wept bitter tears Of anguish.
"And yet cannot blame him. Oh
no ~ she exclaimed, cit is all my own
fault. He once loved me, and heart.
essly flung that affection from me which
would give worlds now to win. But
must dry these tears. must not betray
myself. We shall meet daily, for he can
not help coming here; and to shorten my
visit would lead to suspicion. mus,
therefore school myself to disguise the Sc
cret Of my heart"
And Ashton did come daily, and al
though his conversation was chiefly devot.
ed to Mrs. Seacourt, he neither seemed to
seek nor TO avoid his cousin. Now and
then he found himself deep in a converse
ton with her, and he thought Of old times.
But the memory of the Interview came
across him at such moments like blight.
How wonderfully Ashton has improv-
ed since his travels" said Mrs. Seucourt,
one morning, as she and Mary enjoyed
tete a tete, sewing, "and do you know"
continued she, looking archly at her CON-
panon, "that deem myself indebted to
you for his charming visits"
Mary felt the blood mounting to her
brow, and she stopped to pick out stitch.
ooh you are always jesting, Anna !;
you know it is not so."
"We shall see. prophesy that this
afternoon, when we go to the exhibition,
he will escort you, and leave Miss Thorn.
bury to Seacouri's nephew"
Mary's heart beat so she could scarce.
ly answer, but she managed to reply
"Don't, my dear Mrs. Seacourt, don't
tease one this way. You know, indeed
you know that Ashton cares nothing for
me-" and she felt how great relief would
have been flood oftoars, could she have
INDUCED in them.
Mrs. Sencourt archly smiled and said
no more.
The afternoon came. The little com.
pany was assembled in the drawing. room.
Ashton entered just as the last moment
had come, and when the ladies were rising
N al
corner, so fearful was she Of attracting the
raillery Of Mrs. Seacourt by placing her.
self near the entrance and in Ashton's
way. Her very sensi,iveness produced
| the effect she wished 10 avoid. The gen.
tlemen naturally sought partners nearest
| them, and for moment she was left al
most alone. She thought she would have
tainted when her cousin crossed The loom
and offered to be her escort.
They proceeded to the exhibition. For
the first time for years, Ashton's arm up.
held that Of Mary. AT first both were
embarrassed but each made an effort,
and they soon glided into conversation on
Indifferent subjects. What relief it was
to Mary that night she had been alone,
as it were, with her cousin without being
treated with neglect.
From that day the visits Of Ashton to
Mrs. Seacourt's, increased in frequency,
yet there was nothing marked in his ut.
tentions to Mary. Indeed, he continued
to converse chiefly with his friends wife,
though he did not openly avoid her guest.
| Mary grew more and more tremblingly
alive to his presence, and at times, when
she would detect his eye bent on her, half
sadly, half abslractedly, her heart would
hutter wildly, and delicious hope would
momentarily shoot across her mind but
soon to fade as quickly.
One morning Ashton entered the draw.
ing-room, and found her alone. She was
untangling skein of silk. She rose, and
said with some embarrassment, "Mrs. Sea-
court is up stairs, will ring for her,"
+" Not for the world if she is in any way
engaged. can await her pleasure"
There was a silence of some minutes.
Mary could scarcely breathe; and she
knew not what to say. Her fingers refus.
ed TO perform their duty, and her skein Of
silk became more and more entangled.
"Shall help you 7" said Ashton, ap-
preaching her. my patience used to be
proverb with you."
| Mary could not trust herself to answer.