The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-05-07

mot al all. l know that theye is an
nigel in her heart, and that it still looks out
at her eyes, but do not know whether it
iS the ruling one or not; the world may have
spoiled her'
"You say that she receives you WELL"
"She does; and have the vanity to be-
lieve that my society is of some value to
herr.
"Pshau! Harry, have known Miss
Winsow this many day, and she is refined,
strong-mnded and calm-judging woman of
the world; none of your romantic, fattering
dream ers, to be caught in the snare you have
laid for her-and as for your ruse, let me
tell you it will never succeed. One of two
things is true; she either takes you for some
poor dog worthy her patronage, but one
whom she never would think of acknowledge
ing as an acquaintance: or, she knows you,
and in your strategem you are only fooling
yourself"
"Know me! she cannot, unless you have
betrayed me, and this you promised positive
ly moi to do. There is not another indiv-
dual than yourself in town who knows me.
But have not the least doubt she considers
me poor dog, and that is precisely what |
wish her to do. Only few days since, we
had long conversation about the compare
tive happiness of the rich and the poor;-
and it was very evident that she considered
me one of the latter class. Whether she will
acknowledge me for an acquaintance or not
remains to be seem"
"When do you intend to call again."
"I don't know. Why?"
"Why, would, ceulrive to stumble upon
you there, and l will read her lecture after
you have gone, about associating with such
fellow. | am sufficiently well acquainted
to do it, and then can discover if she knows
you"
"Capital! Do! Good but you won't be-
tray mew
"Trust me for that"
CHAPTER III.
"Who has inquired for you, Mary" asked
Judge Winslow as his daughter passed him
in the hall.
"Mr. AshIey's Eame was given to me, sir .
replied Mary with more calrnness of voice,
than feeling, for her father was not accus-
toned to trouble himself with regard to her
acquaintances.
"And is he that shabby looking fellow
who came up the steps just before me?"
"Perhaps so," said Mary, the blood
mounting to her temples. "Mr. Ashley is
rather careless in his dress"
Judge Winslow strobe ON to the back par
lor, and Mary paused moment with her
hand pressed upon her trobbing temples to
collect hel bewildcred tho'ts before she en-
tered the room.
"Sweets to the sweet" said Ashley rising
as she entered the room. "Will Miss Wins
low accept trife?" and he placed in her
hand tastefully arranged bouquet of rare
exotics.
Mary fixed her eyes upon the costly gift,
and uttered a cold, and somewhat confused
acknowledgment. So closely had she con-
nected with Mr.. Ashley, in her mind, an
idea Of extreme poverty that she felt sur
prised, and somewhat panied by the present.
She had every reason to suppose that she
was not an object of Indifference to him,
and she thought that he had doubtless OBJ
tanned, at sacrifice to himself, that which
was of little or no value to her. Besides
she felt that she had perhaps been wrong in
allowing her acquaintance 10 progress to a
degree of intimacy, with a person of whom
she knew so little. True he had been IN
troduced to her by friend on whose judg
ment she relied, and it was on this ground
that she constantly excused herself for the
favor with which she received him. Per-
haps this introduction was forgery, she did
not believe it, and yet it was not impossible.
But no it ,cas impossible, Mr.. Ashley pos
sessed high tone of thought and feeling
a lofliness of sentiment and of principle,
which she had never met before. She was
sure that he must be all that was good, and
more than he appeared. Yet her elegant
acquaintance had stared when they met him
in her parlor: Miss Carpenter was loud in
her protestations against her receiving such
company, and Car others, friend of long
standing, and decided good sense, had read
her homily upon admitting to her society
persons of so humble appearance, of whom
she knew nothing. All this Mary had
weighed, and pondered in her heart, but
without changing her conduct towards Ash
ley, he was still the prominent object in her
minds eye-the remarks that he made on
various subjects were constantly recurring
his judgment-his tHste-his principles
seemed model on which she was fain to
form her own. She could not but confess
unto herself that he was an object of no
common interest. Yet her fathers question,
and frown laid heavy on her heart She was
embarrassed, and absent in her remarks, and
when at last Ashley asked her to accompany
him on. a ride that afternoon, she started,
and he was obliged to repeat the question
before she comprehended it. And then, as
she attempted to stammer half framed ex-
cuse, she felt his deep, dark eyes fixed
c.lx- .,x,an Lar md ole =.