Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-05-26
VOL. VINO. 30.

estimation of her father, she had never
valued him as an acquaintance, or sought
his friendship on the contrary, she had
never felt at ease in his society, and re
joiced when he was no longer an inmate
of their humble dwelling. The cause of
her aversion to the insinuating French
man, she could not herself understand full
ly but it was not the less genuine for
that reason. Encouraged by her fathers
good opinion, he had made declarations at
various times, the nature aud tendency Of
which she could not affect 20 be ignorant
or misapprehend Rosalthe, OF all occa-
sions, had given no words of hope, and
with careful regard to his feelings, en-
deavored to make known her sentiments
without wounding his pride.
But it displeased and annoyed her ex-
cessively to perceive that he steadily per
sisted in affecting not to comprehend her
meaning. In addressing her, and espec-
tally in the hearing of Mr.. and Mrs. Ais
ton, he always assumed an easy aud conf
dental manner, which implied that mat
ters were all understood between them
and there need be no attempt to conceal
what must eventually be well known.
This deceit and assurance on the part
of the Frenchman had succeeded in mis-
leading the minds Of the parties alluded
to, and it was piece Of presumption that
Rosalthe felt she could not overlook or
pardon. Her silence and embarrassment
were construed to mean exactly what they
did not signify, and as sufficient evidence
that her affections were engaged.
She had resolved more than once TO
speak with her parents on the vexatious
subject, but somehow her courage always
failed when the moment to test 1t arrived !:
so the unpleasant theme was postponed
from day to day. in hopes that something
in her favor would soon transpire, or that
delay would strengthen her determination
Being thus situated, it will be readily
understood that her dislike rapidly in
creased, and ripened into positive repug-
nance. The conduct and character of lie
Bland were, to our heroine, deeply mys-
terious sinister, and dangerous, and she
feared him as much as she disliked him ;
for her own nature was frank, open, and
above dissimu'ation.
Rosalthe was If that susceptible and
sensitive mould, that she seemed to ac-
quire knowledge of persons character by
being brought in contact with him, or her
"a species Of intuition quite common with
her sex, and which rarely, if ever, misleads
As consequence of the annoyances and
suspicious to which she was daily subject
ed, she became less cheerful, and far less
happy.
The conversation which had transpired
on the bank of the river, as already re-
lated, appeared abundantly confrmatory
Of her fears and untold suspicious To
the young stranger who had so opportune-
ly appeared to assist her. she truly felt
grateful but the reflection that she had
possibly involved him in a quarrel with
dangerous man, added much to the anxi-
ETY. of her mind.
She had noticed, as she glided by, the
dark and malignant expression that the
hunters warning words had called instant
ly to his face, despite the smile of con
tempt that curled his lips, as if to mock
at what all other men held sacred and
dear
The information which he had given in
relation to the movements of the Indians
against Boones borough. did not surprise
her so much as it would have surprised
many others who bad studied him less,
and confdeded in him more unreservedly
1t revived all the strange misgivings which
she had long felt in regard to him. The
secret was one Of the deepest Importance,
and yet she had promised not to betray it
to those whom it most intimately concern
ed She was on the point of making known
the state Of her feelings to her father, in
respect to lie Bland, when he commenced
speaking highly in his praise, dwelling par
ticularly upon his gentlemanly manners.
and the frankness which characterized him
in every act of life.
Il esteem him. added Mr. Aston, for
his numerous good qualities-for the kind
ness of his heart, for the deep sincerity Of
his nature, for the dignity and refinement
of his manners, and for all those noble
traits which constitute true manhood
Rosalthe felt her blood rushing tumul-
tuously to her cheeks, and tears of regret
filing her ewes She was much panied
that a man of her fathers discrimination
should be so egregiously deceived in the
Frenchman's character and pretensions
But she was misapprehended for Mr.
Aston, observing her confusion, attribut
ed it wholly to another cause, and remark
ed, with a meaning smile, that she need not
be confused about the matter, for be fully
appreciated her feelings, and should not
reproach her for anything that might have
passed between MIR lie Bland and herself
of whose honorable intentions ne was en-
tirely pursuaded.'
And to make Rosalthes position more
mortifying, Mrs. Aston observed in rela
tion to the subject Of ber husbands culogy
That he was very pleasant gentleman
and she hoped her daughter would be SC
fortunate as never to form any acqualnt
auces less respectable; and she should Eot
object to her preferences when they were
so judiciously made as in the present IN
stance
Mr.. Aston then hinted that he was a
man Of wealth, and was about to make
large purchases Of land lying on the oppo-
site bank Of the Kentucky River. he
stated that the idea was good one, and
would prove exceedingly profitable, mas.
mich as it would doubtless quadruple in