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

servants, or her carriage. was mot the
richer of the two with Leonard'S love !
Aunt Myra treated Leonard with the
courtesy which his manner compelled
from others yet am almost certain he
felt she disapproved of his attentions.
He met Mr.. James one evening at our
house. I thought he was strangely cold
and taciturn that night: but | understood
it all. When he asked abruptly, just as
be was leaving, "Alice, have one prom
Use to ask of you. Will you give it 10
me Z" llr. ...- ..,.. ...
"Of course, Leonard" 49,. ......
"That you will never ride out with
Mr.. James again. Certainly, as your af-
fianced husband, l have right to ask
this" -.. Ar' s..i
II do not dispute it, Leonard" smiling
away the sudden sternness Of his face,
for with woman's insight looked down
into his soul, and saw that small cloud Of
dislrust and jelousy rising over it. IL
will never ride with him again"
He drew me to his strong heart after
the old, tender fashion,. "My bride," he
said, II shall no! be quite contented un-
til l have you save in my own nest"
4 | was not wise with that wisdom Of ex
perience which only life teaches, or these
things would have been key TO certain
traits of Leonard's character.
Like most fine, sensitive natures, he
was exclusive and exac!ing, demanding
an almost entire monopoly of the thought
!, and affections Of those lie loved. 1t is
true the measures he asked, he meted out
in return but he was proud, hasty, and
could be unjust. ......
And dearly as loved him, / was pett.
ed, wilful, half spoild child. Ii we hat
only understood each other better 1
S was very little matter too. And, afte1
all, these little things are the Alphas AMI
3 Omegas of The joys and sorrows of thi
, life. But it so happened that after tllt
sunshine the cloud came. "t..
Leonard was intending to leave the city
for few days on business, and he pass.
ed The last evening before his departure
with me. Mr.. James called at the same
J time. He was expecting his only sister
. by the next steamer from England, ant
its arrival was somewhat anticipated the
next day.
IL wonder if she will be in to-marrow
Miss Weston 7" He turned to me, "Yor
Yankees have always a peculiar gift a
guessing. What do you think Of the
chances Of my seeing Nellie's blue eyes
tomorrow" .... ....
:. swell, I CUES that you will see hel
/, before tomorrow night" l lhoughtlessly
a answered, knowing how anxious he wal
to do this.
=. "What if we should make small be-
: on the matter, with your aunt and MIR
Stone for witnesses 7"
They both bowed assent.
i. "Well, Mr.. James, if the steamer ism
in before seven Tomorrow evening. III
make you new crimson velvet smoking
cap, just the prettiest bit Of needleworl
, inspiration in the world"
, "And if the steamer does arrive belor,
! day after tomorrow, | will give you-nt
; matter. Will you promise to ware il a
, the soiree my uncle gives, night or ty'
Z after Nellie's coming 2" .
. "Of course l will, III answered, regard
ing the whole thing as little more than
Jest. Mr.. James had been informed o
, my engagement. to Leonard by aunt, ant
knowing this, felt under less social re
y straint with him. ....... r..
At this juncture message came 10
$ Leonard. ! have since thought ther
was little shade OF GOODNESS in his leave
f taking, bu. if observed this, atthe time
# | attributed it 10 the presence Of stran
E gers. .o .,.-., ,
Q Two days had passed. Aunt Myr
q was despatching the interval between
6 breakfast and "calling hours" in chat
y ing through the gilded bars Of their cage
Q to her canaries, or admiring pail Of mos
:, exquisite Sevres china vases, which sh
had received from friend recently relurr
!, ed from Europe. =, -,
4 For me, was placing the fniship
|, touches of a painting Of little countr
/ cottage closeled among strawberries, wit
e a small river in. the distance, windin
{. like. a tangled ribbon among hills an
d medows, and there was a thought in NJ
. heart, which gave a Auller to my fnger
= as bent lovingly over my work.
e Just then small white package We
Il brought me. Aunt Myra left her can
3 ries and her vases, and leaned curiousl
: over my chair as unrolled the paper
v find delicate little jewel.case, and q MOI
,e with these words :aa ,,,s.,g.,,s (. /.
b a"MY DEAR Miss WEsToN--You we
a right in the guessing, thus sustainir
!" your Yankee prerogadve and winning Il
.y be,. The steamer arrived last evening
g and in accordance with your promise,
d trust you will accept and wear the e.
In closed this evening, when you WELDON
,e my sistertO her adopted home, and obliI
lp your fried, tslcHowARD JAMES"
ii il touched the spring of the case,
10 few back, and there, lying on it's cashic
., ofsnowy velvet, was a ring, whose clu
0. ter Of dimonds seemed 10 leap up sudde
sr Dly and catch down ihe morning sunlig