True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-08-05


" two years in the heart Of a great city,
with a distant course of my uncle's,
wealthy, fashionable woman, who visited
us about year before his death, and who
took at that time great fancy 10 me-.
She. was widow, and childless, and
loved me as we'll as it was possible for
one Of her half selfish, half superficial,
and thoroughly worldly nature TO do.
OF course, enjoyed with the relish Of
youth and health, and high spirits, the
luxurious, elegant life 10 which was
suddenly introduced.
My aunt was very anxious | should
create sensation in the fashionable cir.
cles where she moved ; and it was not
her fault certainty if / did not learn the
full extent and power Of the beauty, which
l honestly believe | valued then, mostly,
as true woman should, for the sake of
the man, before whose very memory all
other men seemed dwarfed and insignif.
cant. .."+t =.
Leonard had, by dinl OF teaching, and
Inc practice Of stringent economy, paid his
own expenses through college. had ac-
quainted my cousin with our engagement.
Of courseit met with her enlire disap-
proval, for she had very ambitious views
for my future, and Leonard had two un-
pardonable defects in her eyes-he was
poor and without social position. O..
But as | said, five years had elapsed.
and then-well. the story shall tell itself.
"Aice, my love, won't you look oui
and see if there's any prospect of the
rains ever closing" and aunt Myra, as
usually called her, because she was some
thirty years my senior, looked up from
the novel which had kept her rather rest.
less self quiet for half hour. ..
swept aside the crimson curtains and
looked out on the sky. The thick clouds
were breaking up all around the horizon,
and through their silver edges looked lh'
soft blue sky of the late summer doubly
welcome because of the twenty.four hours
rain that had shut il from us. >,st
"lsn't il delicious. aunt Myra ! How
l do wish we could have ride this after
noon." At that moment, there was &
loud ring of the bell, and few moments
later domestic brought me a message
that Mr.. James horses were at the door,
and himself in the parlor. .r ..,.
My aunt sprang up with alcri'y. "Rur
for her new riding dress, Jane" to th'
servant. "How very foutunate it is, my
dear, that poor Tim made such a fine
equestrian ofyou :. -
"You will 60 round the Park, and bt
quite the envy of all the city. Mr.
james, too, the son Of an English colonel
handsome, wealthy, and from such
family 'a.s
"Aunt Myra," I interrupted, "you for
GO. that now | can have no possible in
terest in his adj juncts or sntecedents.-
Please don't talk to me, after this fashion
or shall feel that have no right to &C
| cept the invitation.
She had woman's tact; and mucl
better knowledge Of the world than had
"You surely would not be guilty Of 81
great rudeness, Alice, with the horses
a, the door! Come, loop up your curl
what beauty Of riding cap that is.
remember the ride that afternoon, al
though it happened but yesterday. Th'
fresh, fragran. beauty of the earth, tn
thick shadows Of Tie elms and naples
nuder which we paced our coal bIocl
steeds and the admiring glances Of my
chivialric companion, as he talked to mt
Of his English home, and the fair medov
lands over which be had dashed with hi
golden-haired sisters in the days Of hi
boyhoOd. 9sas~.a -t >'. .
was very happy, or rather in one o
my wild, mirthiul moods--ah, me!
just then could have turned over th'
pages and read the handwriting Of tn
"Beyond !" .t~..g gs..s v#l!l5
II was deepening into sunset when w
drew up again before my home. M
aunt came 10 her door, and by her sid
stood young gentleman, tall, slender
looking eagerly into my face. ,.a
One glance, long, eagerly, breathless
and knew him. What tide of warmt
and gladness broke over nv heart
was a terrible breach Of etiquette, and
knew my aunt would never forgive m
Tor ii, but l was a country wild flour, al
ter all. and my city ransplanta.ion aa
not been a long one. forgot everythin
bu. Leonard as I bounded from my horse
I just as l had done many time from I'll
back Of uncle Tins old "Dobbin," M
waiting for Mr.. James to assist me 4
! aligh., and Isprang up the marble step
with mist in my eyes, and q cry OH m
lips, Leonard, l am SO glad to sc
J you !'s iha 81 f1- ieFl q. Z
A week had passed. II had been
very bright one to me, for the "beloved
was there. ~ = ffh so. NJ r
. E Leonard's early manhood was iultillln
! all the promlSos Of youth. He ha
chosen the law for his profession 81
: two years. he said, "my studies will
J completed, aud ihsn.----" looked y
into thosv clear. loyeing eyes, and read 3
: tile rest : the little cottage set down Ill
> cup among vines, and tress, and mosse
{ and thinking Of this, | never, for a nj
envied my naughty relative h