Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-01-05

marry, and ever after settle down into quiet Mrs
Smith. What name Smith Mrs. Smith
Were it Dandford, Craven Loring, Fitzherbert,
or anything else but Smith No, no. My cous-
liz certainly has good eyes, if he knew how to use
them; fine teeth if he knew how to show them;
and his hair is good-but the style-oh horror
will not bear til am resolved I"
At that moment her soliloquy was broken in
upon by the gradual opening of the door, and i'm
mediately after Joseph appeared; strong emo
ton visible upon his usually placid and resigned
feature. The cause of his agitation was this; Mr.
Clermont had urged him to speak boldly to Lou
| Use, to entreat her hand and he had promised to
| do so--had even sought her for that purpose
But there was something in his breast-it was not
pride, twas not fear. Yet he paused upon the
act and why Because he felt that, should re-
lection come, it must tear him hence. Situated
as he then was--uncertain of his fate-he could
not inger near her till life's end-but rejected he
must quit her all or die.
1t had grown with him from Childhood-that
earnest, holy affection; to watch her varying tenn
per was to him joy, to tender her lightest wish
his happiness As time fulfilled its promise in her
glowing form, SO strong grew his love; but in her
there seemed a cold reserve, freezing check to
all his kindness, that struck with the chill of
death upon each fibre of his sensitive heart.
"My dear Louise !'' he said, advancing towards
her.
"Here again ~ she CALCULATED, with an impa-
tience she did not seek to conceal.
There was pause.
tsWell, Joseph 90
young man, mentally, "I'll brave all, and know
the worst"
"Louise ~ he added aloud.
ssWell, what is it 90
@1-I-1," but he was too confused to proceed
and stopped suddenly, his face covered with blush
s.Silly fool p thought Louise. ssl'll speak my
feelings at once, and end this. Cousin" she
commenced in low, determined voice, "you
know that Charles Gordon, the other day. made
me an offer of his hand, and refused him, through
my father 90
q do, cousin, replied Joseph.
"Shall tell you why.''
eyes, ifeyou please"
Because see no charm in marriage because
do not feel that can ever love sufficiently to
confer happiness on any one!'
- Atthese words Joseph started with emotion Wis
ible upon every feature of his face.
aOh, Louise, say not so," he cried.
~ say so-feel so-cousin," she>replied, "My
choice, if my heart would lead me to it, would be
TO f.,1G ca+b
wiliing) to become your wife-but that never can
be-"
ssNever, Louise - murmured Joseph, scarcely
able to utter the words, sthen had I, from infan-
cy till now, looked on you with love-f, as time
brought manhood, that love had swelled to ado
.ation-that had hoped to win you; to bind my
,elf nearer to you-to your father, to become in
Iced his son; that hope-that passion"
"Wpuld be utterly hopeless-vain," she an
wered, and Joseph with groan of anguish hid
lis face in his hands.
"If such has been your hope," continued Lou
Sc, "disniss it from your heart-your mind.''
II can look for no other happiness than in the
affection bear my father and sisterly regard for
Tou. If you have, then, treasured other thoughts
discard them, Joseph, and, as a sister only, take
ny hand''
During this speech, the young man had sue
,eeded in conquering his emotion, and now ad-
,anced, took her hand and kissed it, and hurried
rom the room.
ss'Tis over % cried Louise, as the door closed
behind her cousin, she's gone-the truth is told!
have triumphed and now am free %
CHAPTER II.
Three years have elaIs,d. The cold, proud
Louise was seated in the same parlor in which
she had rejected the heart-offering made by
he noble minded Joseph, but her appearance
vas much changed-so, alos was heart. She
1eld an unopened letter in her hand, while her
mind was waited insensibly to events of the past
that mystic land of dreams, grim and shadowy
but none the less beloved ,,on that account. Soft
words, breathing sorrow fell from her lips.
'sTbree years since, Joseph left to superintend
our foreign house at Havre. Three years -
thought myself then free-free as the bird that
skins the air in its wild and rapid fight-free to
tx my choice, if the object came, without res
.raint or control; and suitors have come-ofered
Tor my hand, yet all have Irejected-and why!-
Because my beau ideal of a lover was but dream!
I looked for outward grace, and not for inward
worth-that solid base on which our choice should
ix. Charles Gordon! fashions fool. Strange!
Since cousin Joseph left us, without to me even
an adeu, he has ever been with me; as each
week, month, year has passed, he has come near
er to my fancy's image. Time has told its tale
upon my hert, thoughts and feelings; and1, who.
drove him hence, would give the world to draw
him back to me-but pride said no. In my dreams
he is with me, in my waking hours ever in my
mind. Remembrance of the pains | caused him,