True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-09-10
q. RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor,


ched him. He was my pet my favorite,
the only living thing | loved, and | would
pass hours brushing his smooth, glossy
coat, and combing out his long, tangled
name. You will think me foolish-per.
hapsl was. r-.-, .ams. ..-. . +
The day appointed for Herbert War
rener's arrival came at last. l felt una
BILE to meet him whose shadow | had so
long secretly adored, and | set out on In
ferno for ride over the hills. | rode on
and on, until | Ireached the dense forest
that skirted Pinewood, Here in a little
glade. l dsmmounted, and let Inferno
feed at will. g
l sa, down on the green grass, in the
thick. cool shade, and communed with
myself l gazed on all the beautiful
things around me, and | felt strange,
new tenderness stealing over me. |
thought of my dead mother, cast out Of
the hearts OF her relatives, and why be.
cause she had loved son Of poverty. My
mother, whose maiden name was Edith
Randolph, had married Richard Aring-
ton early in life. against the will of her
parents and brother; and they had dis
owned her, and turned away their atfec.
tons from her. Two years after my
birth, my father died, and left my mother
with that last resource Of poor women,
plain needle-work. She had given her
employers her life, every stitch was
drop of her life blood, and at last, worn
out with earth, she laid down in that sleep,
so welcome to the broken hearted. A
letter written just before her death, had
touched the feelings Of her last relative,
her brother, and he he'd Immediately set
out for bis sisters orphan.
Thought of all this then came memo
ries of later days-of cold looks, stern
words, oflove withheld Of wild yearnings,
unsatisied affections, of heart whose
treasures were running to waste, return
ing nothing but gall and bitterness. l
sat there on the damp grass, until the
lowering sun warned me of the nights
coming. Then | arose, mounted Inferno,
and rode slowly toward Pinewood.
Herbert was coming, probably was
there already. And Minnie knew he
would love her! With an artists eye,
and poets soul, how could he help it I!
and what mattered it to me, if he did ! |
feared no answer.
Pinewood was in sight. heard gay
voices on the portico, as rode toward
the stable, and the night windbore to my
ears the sound Of n deep, mellow voice
which fell upon my spirit like the breath
ings Of An angel: .....
4" Zelaine ! quite romantic name
Pray, Aunt Mildred, what is she like :"
Aunt Mildred's voice broke the spell as
she replied: ....
"She is strange creature, Herbert ;
you will not like her. She is reserved to
the last degree and as for affection, she
loves nothing in the world but an uu-
manageable horse, that will permit no
no one to come within hearing distance
but herself--ah here she is now," and
the rest Of The conversation was inaudi'
BILE. ', '.,.
Aunt Mildred sent servant 10 inform
me that tea was waiting; and hastily
changing my riding apparel, descended
to the parlor. The room was dimly
lighted, but distinctly saw the occupants
Aunt Mildred arose and led me forward:
This is Zelaine Arlington. Herbert, she
said and the hand that grasped mine
was warm and friendly, and the voice
was very sweet, that said:
"Zelaine, l hope we shall be very good
friends"
AT the tea table | saw him in all his
glorious beauty. He was the mature
counterpart Of the idolized picture. No.
bleness and truth shone from his clear
dark eyes, and around his mouth was the
same irresisti BILE smile, l loved him
fel! it in every fibre Of my being.
|
Days passed. Herbert Warrener was
still with us. He spoke 10 me but sell
dom, for was cold toward all his friend
ly advances. l SO feared that he would
discover my fatal secret that dared no,
trust myself to look iu his face.
Minnie was Of d very timid disposition
and it was only to please Herbert that
she had undertaken 10 learn to ride. A
docile little pony was purchased for her
in the art in which he excelled. Some.
times went with them, and oh how ]
wished that l could be frightened, if il
would only bring him near to soothe
me. 49,. ,, g.
It was spoken Of at Pinewood, that
Minnie should be Herbert's wife, and
her beauty and talents we're extolled dai-
ly. -t..
Minnie would laughingly declare her
intention Of captivating him, and tossing
back the wealth Of shining curls which
shaded her fair face, she would say, with
evident satisfaction, il not unlortu.
nate lha. have no rival here I"
Warrenerwas on artist Of the highest
order his pictures were rare speeimsns
Of the glorious art. and before the crea.
iions Of his pencil / have stood entranced
for hour. He never showed me his pain