St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-04-23
the best heart So Uncle Dick
wrote" -...
"And you went back to Beechwood?''
| said phil

| IhO oooV AOoAl. ~ SuOiC LIVE
wrote" ..
"And you went back to Beechwood?
said Phil.
"Not l." replied Ned, smiling, I"
knew the time hadn't come. wrot
home that | was off for foreign tou
took the next steamer from Bosto
and not till fifteen months after, di
| set foot in Beechwood again.
ut was as expected. Jenny wa
still unmarried, but flirting desperate
ly as ever. But faith, l didn't recog
nize the tall, queenly woman, who re
ceived me with such cold stateliness il
Beechwood drawing-room. Not trace
Of the hoydenish, romping, mischief
loving schoolgirl, l had left over five
years before.
MANY gentlemen came to the house
and she danced, sang, played and hirt
ed with them all--but not pin did sht
care for one of them But did she care
for me stillY | couldn't tell. Her ole
gaiety of manner was all gone; she
was courteously, chillingly polite-but
never at1able or familiar; polite, moth
ing more. Every approach to intima
cy was repelled. She seemed building
higher, day by day, the icy wall be
tween us.
"Well, so it went on for weeks an(
wecks-Jenny chatting and playing
the agreeable to all others, but deci
dedly icebergy toward me l was il
tortures. This must soon come to al
end
Zone night we were left together
Jenny and |. A lucky attack of the
gout confined uncle Dick to his room,
where aunt Mary was kept busy will
bandages and liniment; visitors went
away early in the evening; and we
were alone for the first time since
had been at Beechwood, for she had man,
aged to avoid me, never riding or
walking with me, as of old. Now she
was stately and calm as ever-but
talked little; and when the old clock
struck ten, arose, gathered up her en-,
broidery, and took up night LAMP
Good night she said.
my time had come NO, it is COCA
by,' l replied, profiering my hand
Good bye? and she glanced up inqui
ringly, Mr. Wilder, l don't under
stand you,' she exclaimed. Perhaps
not l said inditferently. 1T is only
this-I am to leave Beechwood by the
morning stage, and shall not see you
so early Leave BeechwoodH and
she slightly faltercd, looking surprised
and replacing the lamp on the table.
i did not know--had not thought
that is, you make us short visit, cou-
SIM she stammered. 1t was the first
time she had called me cousin. And
why should l prolong it, Miss Wilder?
| asked, since at least one here does
not desire my presenceH Going over
to her, took her hand. Cousin Jen-
NY l said, l can plainly see that |
am unwelcome here. You shun me,
and l am going back to Springfield
SO it must be good bye, cousin. You
will think kindly of me sometimesF
'"There was no answer | heard a
hard drawn breath-but pride crushed
it back. She dropped my hand, and
again took up the lamp. Good bye,
then,' she said, mechanically, turning
away. l held open the door to give
her egress. She advanced a step or
two into the hall, hesitated, then came
back. The door swung to. Cousin
Edward and her voice slightly trem-
hled, you have thought me proud and
cold--wanting in the duties Of hospi-
tality, even. | acknowledge that |
have seemed so; but you, cousin, you
have you not neglected US all these
long years? Did you not go away ar
CRY, and-,' she broke down. 'Jen-
ny, let by-gones be by-gones,' | said,
magnanimously, acting my part to
perfection. Il have boarded up no an
ger. On the contrary-but no matter.
You will come and visit me in my new
home at Springfield, some time? One
of these days | am going to be mar
ried. Good bye, cousin, and passed
my arm around her. Let me go! Ed
ward Wilder, release me this instant
Let me go, | tell you!
"Zounds, Phil, you should have seen
her black eyes flash She absolutely
stamped her foot with passion, and
struggled hard, but | held her tightly.
Let me so! Your lady-love shall hear
of this she cried with flushed cheek
and tears of anger. 'Oh, well, Kate
Drew isn't the least bit jealous said,
smoothing down her curls. Don't
struggle so! Besides, want to tell
you something. do intend to marry,
one of these days, but no other than
her l have always loved, and who, if |
mistake not, does not wholly hate me!
Jenny, look up and tell me if you will
send me away from Bcechwood?' just
at that moment, as the lamp burned
low and hckered in dusky shadows, a
sigh, soft as summer zephyr, stole
athwart my check, and two warm fra
grant lips tluttered like rose leaves
against mine. Not word was spoken;
but there was small need.
"But just the very spirit of mischief
prompted me to whisper then, Jenny
my VOW is fulfilled You remember
it? Didn't l warn you that I'd appro-
pirate this hand? and for the rest, the
kiss for the blow, you know And
Jenny answered never word" added