The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-03-27

! Of other days, and, ifthe Truth must be. told,
a little nervous and anxious how he, Of whom
she had often thought in secret, would re-
oeive her. Nor on subsequent occasions
were their interviews more satisfactory. In
deed, Kate was puzzled and vexed ut Pres
toms manner No one could, at times, be
more interesting; yet no one was SO often
naughty and disagreeable, Kate sighed to
think how, changed he had become; then she
was angry ut herself for signing. * q 1s
Kate was accordingly as wayward as Pres
ton-and who, had greater excuse! Rich
and well born, beautiful and high spirited,
she was positively the reigning belle in
Charleston during the whole Of that gay
winter. To complexion delicately fair,
and person of the most delicate proper
1 tions, she united those graces of mind and
manner which, in that courtly day, were con-
sidered the unerring poniments of good
breeding. Report awarded TO her numbers
Of unsuccessful suitors; but all had tactly
resigned their claims in favor Of Major Lind
say, an English officer of noble blood, be-
tween whom and On earldom there was on
ly single life. Gay and splendid in equip
age and person, the Major no sooner laid
siege to the heart Of the heiress than her
less favored gave over in despair; and what
between lounging most of his mornings
away in her parlor, and attending to her a.
broad on all occasions, he speedily came to
have the field nearly altogether to himself.
The arrival of the Major anticipated that
Of Preston about month; and when our
hero returned, he found his rival almost do
mesticated at Mr.. Mowbray's house. Jeal-
ousy soon revealed to Preston the secret Of
his own long hidden love; but it made him
heartily hate the Major. The two gentlemen
seemed perfectly to understand each other.
But the Englishman knew better than his
| rival how to suppress his feelings, and ac-
cordingly possessed every advantage over
him in ease and selfcommand. Had Kate
wished otherwise. she could not but have
given the larger share of her attention to the
graceful, bri iliant and composed man Of fash
ion, rather than to his more irritable and
wayward rival, whom fancied slight, in
word or look, was sufficient to make dumb
for whole evening. Depend upon it, the
worst possible use to which lover can pui
himself is TO be suky. ,,., ,l.. .....,. ...
/ Perhaps it was the enmity he nourished
against his more successful rival; perhaps il
was the natural Indignation of a. frank and
noble heart against oppression; perhaps,
which is more natural, it was both combined
but Preston had not been long at home be.
fore he formed the resolution to take Duri
with his countrymen in the war then going
on; and the sudden appearance Of General
Marion on the Santee, where he began a
partisan conflict with the invaders, opened
to him a favorable way for, carrying out his
design, which he only postponed until he
/. could part from Kate on better terms. He
flattered himself that she herself was secret.
| ly on the side OF the colonists, for her father
had once helda commission under the pro.
vintial government although, since the fall
of Charleston, and the apparent conquest Of
the colony, he. like many Others had been
induced to take a royal protection, and
I,ground- his arms, as neutral. aa7.u l'e
4 One morning Preston found Kate alone
in her little parlor 1t. was rare that she
was without visitors, for Major Lindsey, Of
least, was usually at her side Kate wore
Ea pretty morhing dress, and was sewing; her
little tiny foot, that rested on cushioned
stool. peeping provokingly out beneath the
snowy muslin. A women one admires nev:
er looks lovelier than when occupied in this
truly feminine employment; and es Kate
made room for Preston beside her, with hel
sweetest smile he thought she had nevei
seemed half SO charming. Lovers can i'm
, agine how happy Preston soon was. HI
and Kate talked Of old times, she bnsil,
employing hereneedle, but every now an,
then looked with animation into his face
. His heart beat quicker, and he longed to tel
j, her how he loved her; itwould, fear, hav,
set your head or mine, render, topsy -tury,
Il at once. A dozen long forgotten incident
were called to mind; how Preston had ono,
|, rescued Kate from the river, how they ha
| wept when their old nurse died, and a scor
of other things. The color of both heigh
tened, and Preston felt every instant as
. he could snatch the dear girl to bis arms
: HI the eagerness Of conversation, all at one
Kata placed her hand familIarly on his.
!, "And do you remember" she said, gain,
t up with sparkling eyes into his face, ed
r you remember when the pony ran ava
3 with you! oh!I was half dead with frigh
!, and screamed Justify. Those were happ!
|. days--I wonder five. are ever soshappy a
!, in childhood! sometimes wish we wer
e back again on that old lawn And OBJ
-fsighed. @ .gf.s'. 95ta'a..s y t 4, i 7'E,',.
!. "Doyou, indeeda" said Preston, hisfwhol
face lightning up. and be took her hand b
an impulse he could no longer resist:
Il At that moment the words which woul
have decided his fate were rising to Pres
toms lips, and Kate, as II secretly forewarn
ed, began to tremble and become confuset
Y when the door was flung omen and the .ne,