True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-06-06

Il
impetuosity that were now and then ap-
parent.
He sought an introduction to ths, and I
could not repress feeling Of tepugnance
that rose involuutarily as returned his
salutation. If politeness had permitted,
would have turned away without speak
ing; but in less than FIVE minutes I was
quite charmed. by his manner, so selfposs-
cssed, and yet SO deferential and insinua-
ting. His powers Of conversation were
remarkable, and he had skill in Aattery
that, distrustful as I was Of compliments
and complimenters, induced me to listen
to the pretty things he said to me, with
feeling of satisfaction that one person at
least thoroughly appreciated me.
| We did not allude to our former meet
ing, but when Mr.. Powell-for that was
his name-had brought me into general
communicative mind, he began to question
me about Henrietta and her illness. Hen
rietta had begged us not to tell the cause
Of her non-appearance, SO that could not
satisfy his curiosity entirely; but remem-
bering that Aunt Abby had said, 'it would
be two weeks before she would be ct to be
seen, for her face was blistered all over" l
mentioned the circumstance to Mr.. Pow
ell. He seemed somewhat troubled, griev-
ed, thought, at the prospect Of not see
ing her for SO long a time; and sympa-
: thized with him. Soon after I saw him
talking with Mamie Porter, a soft, giggling,
and rather pretty girl, who had the repu-
> tation of being an heiress in small way.
a He hovered around her the whole evening,
and they talked in whispers in the corners
:. of the room and in the hall. 1t seemed
to me that he was paying her quite toe
; much attention, considering that his heart
e was engaged elsewhere.
At last the wedding guests departed. l
sought my room with feet SO weary with
| dancing that they could hardly bear me
thither. Henrietta was waiting to hear
all the particulars of the evenings gayety,
and I was sleepily relating them, when
, Mamie Porter entered.
81 am going to stay here tonight, girls"
she said in hurried way. "My head
aches, and I sent Bob homo with the car
riage, to say that I could not come till to.
morrow"
We said all that was proper, and Mann
: lie was silent for few minutes; then,,she
s asked me for writing materials. I told
e her that they were all in the library, which
e owing to the house being rather crowded
e with guests, was at present occupied as q
sleeping room. She could not obtain them
e till the morning. She moved about the
room uneasily. She seemed burdened
/ with a secret too heavy for her powers Of
I retention. At last it came out
"Girls, will you never tell something
s am going to tell your"
Of course we promised.
s "Well I am going to be married to-mor
t row morning"
J. 'To whom ?" asked Henrietta.
O 'To some one that has loved me ever 81
n long-more than a year. We were en-
n gagged six months ago, but mamma made
Q me break it of, and forbade him to com,
IS to see me. He went to New Orleans af
IS ter that, and mamma thinks that he is still
+ there, or she would never have let mt
come here without her. But I saw hin
I here tonight, and he told me that he hat
d been i'll with brain fever in consequence
J. of my treating him SO, and that he wal
It near dying. He says he is constantly
It threatened with it again, and that if I dom
d marry him directly, he knows he canno
IS live year. He looks pale and thin, poo
y fellow, and I cannot help plying him.
J, have promised him that I will 60 with hin
IS early in the morning to minister whit
h lives about seven miles from here. W.
d can be married there, and go quickly Il
v see mamma but / would like to send {
% little note first" .a
v "What is the gehtleman's nameH" ask
!. ed Henrietta.
+ "Harry Powell"
T. "Harry Powell !" exclaimed Henrietta
J. "He is engaged to me. He gave me thii
@ turquoise ring, an emblem Of his truth
= he said"
n "He gave me this emerald" said Mann
'e ie, "that ! might know that hope hat
a something yet in store for us. He wrot'
. me some pretty verses, too, about il I