Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-11-26

many long month before she again heard OF ell
'her Lennox or Agnes.
CHAPTER IX.-THE SURPRISE.
More than two years had elapsed since the
events oflhe last chapter and in the interval the
OF ihe colonies had been acknowl.
edged. Peace in consequence had been once
more restored 10 the land. The royal armies
we're Withdrawn. Washington had resigned his
command, and society was settling down from
its late disturbed condition to order and quiet.
In a large and splendid mansion in Philadel-
phia, two gentlemen were seated, toward the
close ofa mild spring afternoon, at dinner.iable
from which the cloth had already been removed,
leaving only the wine and desert. Both Of the
persons, however, appeared TO have INDUCED
sparingly in the glass. An animated converse.
lion had given place to silence as the twilight
drew on. AT length the elder Of the two gen.
tlemen spoke.
"Lennox," he said, 81 often wonder you do
not marry. Can it be that you still remember
that pretty Virginian, who jed you SO shame
fully"
"Nay, Colonel, you presume on our friend.
ship" replied our hero, for it was he, with a
sad smile. "Miss CourIenay never gave me
encouragement, and cannot, therefore, accuse
her Of coquetry. But the recollection Of her,
frankly confess, will always prevent my marry.
ing"
"Pshaw! you are jesIing. To be thus love.
sick after a lapse Of years is incCmprehensble
and shames your manhood. Shake off this me.
lancholy. There is many pretty girl signing
for the bold Major, whose ieots al Yorktown
still ring in the worlds ears. Allow me to in.
troduce you to the beauties and hercsses of
Philadelphia, though, since you are so rich
yourself, you care little about the lauer, sup.
pose."
81 care for none Of them" replied our hero,
sand | pray you, colonel refrain hereafter
touching on this subject. Once for all, know
that my affection for Miss Courtenay was no idle
fancy; but deep and lasting sentiment, founded,
| shall continue TO believe on an instructive APP
probation of her high qualities. Perhaps in.
deed ii was these very qualities which made me
unsuccessful in my suit. Her father was 10y
alist and she knew would be deeply hurt al her
union with me; and have sometimes dreamed
that, but for this, she might have loved me. Yet
| cannot but admire her The more for sacrificing
her preference 10 her strict notions Of fial duty
Believe me, wife Of such principles is jewel
to a husband"
"I'm afraid that you worship an ideal perfec,
tOn. When you were in prison in Charleston
and condemned to die, did she come near YOU,
did she send you any message, did she intercede
10 your behalf! As The sister Of your friend, she
was called on to show some concern for your
peril. Had she loved you, even the least Bit,
H. k,,,
you would have died, unless Mrs. Stewart
had stepped forward and procured your re.
prieve."
THAT is true" said Lennox, with sigh. at
is no doubt foolish 10 speak Of Agnes as having
ever wasted thought on me; but, for all that,
fear | shall never love another. Certainly see
none Of her sex without instituting comparisons
by no means favorable TO them"
"Infatualionl" said his friend laughingly.-
"But pray, how did Mrs. Stewart obtain your
reprievel She had but little influence, for her
husband was known to be a whig."
81 never could tell. But she must have in
teresed some of my tory connexions. A. that
time scarcely felt grateful for the boom"
"Ah! you were not to die then; fate reserved
you for Yorktown, and many another glorious
field. know not what we should have done
without YOU"
The conversation now dgressed to the war.
The host had been The senior officer of Lennox,
after The latter had been exchanged, and they
had many "reminiscences 10 recur TO. 1t was
not until late hour that they separated.
The discussion, however, recalled Mrs. Stew.
art to the mind of Lennox, and when he went
home he sat long thinking of her. Since their
parting in The prison at Charleston he had never
seen her.
al should like TO meet her again." he said,
thinking aloud. "Perhaps she has heard from
the Courenays. Let me see, Agnes has now
been married three years."
As he uttered these words he heaved pro.
found sigh, and his eyes happened TO fall on his
writing, desk, where lay no,e which had been
placed there in his absence, and which he had
not seen before. He picked i. up and examined
it. 1t was directed in strange hand, but OBJ
viousy that of female. A ring fell out as he
broke The seal. He recognized it as the one he
had given 10 Mrs. Stewart. The contents of
The letter ran thus:
"lf Major Lennox has not forgotten an old
friend, she will be happy to see him tomorrow,
the authority for this freedom"
"Mrs. Stewart, The very one Of whom was
thinkiDg!" exclaimed Lennox. "Poor lady,
perhaps she is in difficulties, or she may wish
my influence for her SON."
The next morning, as soon as etiquette would
permit, Lcnnox set forth 10 make his visit He
was somewhat surprised to find the house 10
which he had been directed large and impos-
ing structure with a wide hall running through
the centre. He looked al the note again; the
number was the same. He knocked
A servant in livery opened the door.
"Is Mrs. Stewart in?" he said.
The servant stared. Lennox repeated the
question.
"Is you! mistress in!" he asked. "If so, take
her up this card"
The servant bowed low and ushering Lennox
into the paror, retired but, directly he returned