True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-05

Al that mOmeDNrd a quick, empnauc CALI
of the old use-knocker reused Matte,
and with an exclamation, 1T will waken
mamma she hurried to the door, care
less of her tear.slaned face.
Here's a letter. for you ma'am,' said
the post-boy, as he held it up, eyeing the
wet cheeks, curiously.
1t was mailed from New York, and
Matte could not recognise the delicate
but disguised chirography of the address.
She hurried back TO the half. darkened
sitingroom, and opened her letter by the
light of the window. Several bills fell
at her feet. There were only these
words on sheet Of note paper:
use these, and do not marry old .GHen.'
Half believing it was all a dream, she
gathered up the bills. There vera five
hundred dollars. Slowly, slowly rose
the conviction of the blessed truth, into
soul of Matte English.
Oh! if Rowena Strong could only
have looked into that old room, with the
night shadows choking up the corners,
and seen Matte English, as, faint with
that overwhelming joy, she sank down
on her knees, murmuring, Saved sa-
we'd! Father in Heaven, how shall |
thank thee -
Two years had passed. 1t was in the
late May, and one of those days that are
the Springs inspirations. The fresh,
fragrant wind came up from the far.off
fields, and circulated through the great
heart of the city, and the sunshine lay in
golden folds all over it.
By the open chamber window of g
handsome brick dwelling, in one of the
pleasantest streets, two young ladies' were
sitting, and the wind often drew aside
the curtains, and showed them 10 the peo.
pie opposite, or carried down TO the pass.
cr-by, some sweet, sudden outbreak of
girlish laughter.
You would have known Rowena Strong
at once, reader; but, though her face had
not lost its bright, piquant character, i,
had toned down into an expression ol
womanIy feeling and earnes;ness, which
greatly heightened its attractions.
Julia Gilman's small figure and sweet
face are opposite her. The delicate Sax.
on features, the small mouth, the slightly
tinted cheeks, with the blue eyes, an(
rich, yellow hair, altogether, seem like
an incarnation of young, beautiful girl
hood.
'Now, Reeny, darling, it is 100 bad,
said Julia, in the first pause of the con
versalon which had set between them, al
uninterrupted current for the last two
hours, q must not stay here any longer
in this dusty travelling dress. 1t ism
treating you with proper respect. l shal
go and change it this moment
mo you won't, either laughed Rowe
ma. as she pushed back her friend into thu
chair, and then Scouting hv.ooir un lis arm
she continued, Now, have told you al
about Charlie, and it is settled that yo,
are to be bridesmaid, | want 10 hea
about somebody else's matrimonial affairs
You remember, you wrote me you'd
a long story to tell, when you came
about Matte English and Paul Stebbins
Julia's face frightened. 'Oh, yes,
remember; but it's great secret. You'll
promise, solemnly, never 10 divulge it !
'Solemnly, never
We'll, you know that some two year
ago, Matte refused Squire Allen. AL
of sudden she seemed to become yer,
happy, and went about the house singin
like May bird, and making preparation
for her brother to 60 down to Maryland
and pass the winter. Everybody won
dered, but nobody knew where they Oh
tained the money 10 do this; but at a
events, Mrs, English went South, tn
old house was closed up, and Matte oil
tanned a situation as governess in Mrs
Miles's family for the winter. Sh
studied, too, very hard, all her leisure
and in the spring there was an opening i
the Academy for ar assistant teacher
Matte accepted the situation, and la:
June her mother returned from the Sout
with greatly improved health, as pap
j predicted. They rented the old home
stead, for it was theirs no longer, an
Matiie's lips were always as full Of smile
as her brown eyes were of light
Butthe cream Of my story is to come