True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-06-13

quiringly-"Well; papa, what did you
bring him home for"
"What why he is your cousin, Oh his
mothers side, and now she is dead, your
nearest relative except your father. Have
you so many friends you can afford to
throw them awayp
"Oh yes, papa. There are you and
Barbara, and"
"And Marion Illsley," said my father,
laughing. "You have surely established
your case now, but 1 want you and Reg
inald to get on well together, nevertheless.
Perhaps, if you are a good girl, he will
come to see you often, and must be away
from home more than usual this winter"
"How old is he, papa?"
"Nineteen, puss. Only four years old
er than you, but three times four years
wiser"
went back with an impression that l
should dislike my cousin, in spite of his
beauty; but there was no resisting the
frank cordiality of his manner. Tea was
brought in, arranged with an eye to har-
mony of colors, and artistic effect, that
struck Reginald instantly. Indeed, he
seemed in humor to be charmed with
every thing. The great rambling house !;
the cornices carved Ger and Ger with Ill
les; the antique mirrors in their cumbrous
frames, each and all seemed perpetual
source of delight.
~ must see them all by daylight-may
l not, Mr.. Hutchinson ?" he said, when
he rose to Co.
His words were addressed to my father,
but his glance sought my face.
"You must ask Isa! Hutchinson-house
is her castle"
81 shall be very happy" I stammered
blushingly; and after that Reginald Per-
cy was my frequent visitor. He came Of
ten, when my father was away, and we
used to wander, hand-in-hand, through the
great, dcsolate house, singing snatches Of
old ballads, and talking Of every quaint
and wonderful fancy which haunted our
wayward brain. He used often to bring
me flowers, and one day, as he fastened a
cluster of white lilies in my heavy braids,
he said. earnestly,
"How beautiful you are, lisa. You are
the very handsomest person ever saw,
except Marion, and she's so different"
"Marion who?" inquired with a fore.
ed and painful calmness.
"N1arion Illsley. Good heavens, Isa
how pale you are! Are you ill? Lear
on me, child-why, how you tremble. lsa
what is the matter?"
"Nothing," 1 answered, as soon as
could speak. at was only asudden faint
ness. l am better now"
care you subject to these turns, lisa !?
"Not very, but the room was so warm.
From that day he spoke no more o
Marion Illsley, whether it was that he nev
er thought of her, or that he fancied th'
subject was distasteful, I pretend not II
say.
Through the whole winter he came t.
, see me almost daily. One day in the earl,
spring, he came in thoughtfully.
"Isa," he said, "do you think me s
very yOung?"
"Young! No, indeed" I answered
laughingly. "You are four years olde
. than am, and feel old enough for on
of Methuselah's near relatives"
"True, am four years older than yor
|, and I shall be twenty in few months.
i think I may speak. Sit down, lisa, an
listen seriously. Young as I am, hav
, seen a great many beautiful women, an
had as many fancies as there are beads
v your rosary, but this is so different. Is
y if loved you less could tell it to yo
better. seem to live only when | al
Ia here with you. You can thrill me 30 wit
., every tone Of your voice, every look
your great black eyes; I never did, new
!, can feel so for any other. lisa, is it all
vainl"
II hardly comprehended his meaning
Y and sat in silence.
e "G know it is wrong" he continue
"unfair. l know you have seen no Of
I else; but for all that, you can tell wheth
re you love me. If you do, you never cou
< love another, and it is no harm. I do \
is need any jealousy, or competition, to ma
e. me feel your grace and beauty. Darlin
do you love me better than your father