Squatter sovereign., 1855-07-31

"Certainly; but do not fatter yourself ] |
shall make love to Rosaline. / shall go
prepared to shun her; yes, to be even un-
civil to her. If am, blame yourself for
your impudent interference in my con-
cerns" g---.L =. Ia #
"Saucy puppy" and my uncle laughed.
Wewere onthe most familiar terms.
"You are meddler; you make me sau-
cyl trus. I shall always be prompt in
resenting any invasion of my natural
rights"
"Hope you will. my boy; but will bet
you thousand dollars you marry Rosa
line" ssl 5e
"Done ~ 5,et "A
"But on one condition.
"What2"
"That you come to my estate in South
Carolina with susceptible heart-that
you are not engaged to another"
81 accept the condition." said 1, grasp
ing his hand ''uncle you have lost the
bet."
mot yet, Bob: wait bit.''
1t was rather foolish in the old fellow to
make such silly bet; for 1 was sure l
could resist the attraction of my cousin
even though she should prove to be Ve-
nus, that considered the money already
mine, and what was far better, that had
won the victory over him. 7
That night Uncle Ned started for his
plantation in South Carolina.
CHAPTER II.
My father died three years before this
conversation, leaving me an ample fortune.
His two brothers had been in South Caro-
lima for thirty years, where the father Of
Rosaline died leaving my Uncle Ned her
guardian.
had often been told that Rosaline was
very pretty girl; but she had been to
the North only once, and then was trav-
elling in Europe, sol had never seen her.
had written Uncle Ned promising to
spend a month with him in the autuInn-
Business had called him to Boston, where
our interview occurred. He had more
than once expressed desire that his BROTH
ers property should remain in the family,
and pressed me to unite my fate to that of
his beautiful nice.
This was out of the question. "A made
up match" was my abomination Certain
| ly had no other reason for my violent
prejudice against the marriage. consid-
cred it a sacred obligation to fan in love be-
fore took a wife, and the idea OF being
pledged to Rosaline before had seen her
myself was so absurd that had no patience
to think of it.
And then had principle for my guild
ance in affairs of the heart, which abso-
lutely forbade me think of such thing as
"marriage for convenience"
The autumn came and paid my pro-
posed visit to Uncle Ned's plantation in
South Carolina.
I was disappointed in my cousin Rosa
line She was tolerably good looking
damsel. but in my opinion very far from
being like the beautiful creature she had
been pictured TO me.
"Isn't she handsome. Boh7" said my
uncle "Did you ever see such lips, such
a head of hair, such eyes, such graceful
form 2 Isn't she handsome, eh, You dog2'
And the old fellow punched me in the ribs
and roared with laughter till he nearly
split his sides.
| could not for the life of me see wha
he was laughing at. e
"Isn't she beautiful, you rogues" he
continued
"Passible,' 1 replied coldly.
/ "Passible! you puppy! What. dc yol
mean to say Rosaline is not handsomes"
"Tolerably," answered, twisting of
the leaf of palmetto, which grew by the side
of the bench on which we were seated
Just to show him how Indifferent was.
s.Bob," said he, looking more soberly.
had an idea you were man of taste bu
!. I see you are as likely to fall in love with
one of my black wenches as with the pret
tiest girl in South Carolina
"Who's that. Uncle Ned2"
This remark was called forth by the sud
den appearance of the loveliest creature
ever beheld. and that, considering l have
!, f1irted with the bellies of Paris, Great Ma
pies and Rome. is saying a great deal
I was confounded by the sudden apparition
and springing from my seat as if an elec
tric shock had reused the slumberin.
blood in my veins, stood bolt upright be
fore her.
Shades of Venus. did any one ever Sc
such loneliness. such graceful movement
such a devine expression.