Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-01-01
A HIS CONFESSION.
BY ALICE b. NEAL.
IAN unveiled heart, with all its moods
OF lightness and Of stern reality"

and | suddenly found myself
in this way with lady on my arm had
never seen before, and whose name even
was unknown to me. On my hands |
might better have said, for Grayson, my
and somewhat absent-minded
friend disappeared among the crowd on
the wharf, in pursuit of parcel left
quarter Of mile up the pier, i'll the car
riage he had lately occupied.
The third bell rang; the merciful sec
ond clappingafter "all ashore, vanished.
The engineers signal was given; and,in
the midst of our EXPLANATIONS and won
behring's, the Eclipse moved from her
berth, and was out in the stream. Gray
son received his parcel, but lost his pas
sage. | was sole legatee of his carpet
bag, two trunks, and strange young
lady.
| had noticed her on the wharf tefore
saw she was under GraysOn's charge.
For, having no female belongings OF my
own, not even a sister, L was much CIV
en- in those days to an admiration OF
pretty faces or neat figure. tancied
| had an eye for both, and when l sat
yis cis at a table d'h0te, to a party OF
ladies, or encountered them grouped or
singly on the street, | elected my pref
erence instinctively, and have angled
whole day for an introduction. ! hao
noticed, then, a tall rather slight figure
in grayish traveling-dress. She was
very neatly gloved, and clean white
collar setting off her throat, fastened on
" by brooch. / could not have stud
led these outlines so cody now; for
was in duty bound to be most respect
ful and consolatory escort.
II am very sorry" said the pleasant
voice of the unknown, fairly realizing
that no flying leap, however valorously
attempted, could restore her origlna
protector.
''Oh, don't mention it! it is the great
est pleasure"
''For Mr.. Grayson," pursued my com
panion. | know he has an important
engagement; and, besides, | might a.
well face my own unpleasant position a
once. | had just given him my purse tC
get nv ticket and am without dollar.
/ felt so sorry for her; her face, flush
ing lust little as she spoke, showed
how extremely embarrassing she felt hcl
position to I've; and yet | admired her To-
The frank, straightforwardness OF her dec
laration. Many women would have
fretted over it in secret half the day re
volving the impossible methods of pro
ccdure, and resorted to a tangle of little
apologies and distresses at last, making
me uncomfortable as well as themselves
''Do not give it thought" | said III
stantlv. sis this your baggage-thes'
trunks? Are you going on to Boston:
She bowed IN assent. / was IN hope
the trunks would assist me to her name
But no, there were only initials. wa
obliged to ask it before procuring he
ticket with my own. There was grea
whining Of steam just as she replied
which confused me. | did not catcl
it: but how awkward to ask it owe
again! 1t sounded something like Green
| would try.
III Miss Green will wait in the ladies
saloon" A little smile fitted over he
face, but she did not disclaim it. con
graduated myself on my clever ''guess'
as | walked towards the captalu's Office
When | returned to her she was reading
quietly, as If tacitly to release me from
any personal attendance, if | felt so dis
posed. But, at the risk Of appearing in
trusive, asked if she would go on deck
and said something about the sunset al
an excuse.
We resumed our promenade after sup
per. The evening was very warm; th'
cabin was close and vocal with NOISY
children; besides, the summons to table
had interrupted a most interesting con
versation. The ffamllness which | Sc
admired gave Oh ease to her manner anC
conversation ch had never betor'
seen in a young lady. l had usual,
found them selt-conscious, or counter
ieiting timidity,or straining after reserv
or a fashionable rep0se of manner
those who were not hoydens, charae
ter that / disliked still more. We gil
ded from one topic to another, avoldln!
triyialities, and personal only so far a
the expression OF opinions. Hers wer
neither fiippant nor crude. Evidentl
she had thought as well as read much
An introduction Of commonplace ! fel
would have silenccd her. We did no
always agree in our estimates. like
her all the better for defending her ow
position. instead of agreeing for the az
pearance Of amiability. And thus W
talked on, going over more topics tina
would have been touched upon in an oil
binary formal series OF visits extendin
over year.
felt under infinite obligation to Gray
son for being left when | retired for tn
night. Usually | have slept quite a
well on 4 steamboat as at home; but
came TO the conclusion that the COTE
must have been very strong, as turne
about III the comfortable berth for til
fortieth time since retiring, and sti
seemed to feel the light pressure of tina
gloyed hand upon my arm. | felt Xix
bestowing a liberal remembrance to tn
chambermaid who came before dayligh
to tell me that the lady in sixty-two wa
ready to take the cars.
We were old friends when we met il
the misty gray light; and her mornin;
salutation given with a smile, made III
feel extremely human. One must hav,
| lived on the public many years fully t,
appreciate the daily slight amenities o
the home circle. l was glad OF tn,
dampuess, for it gave me- the opportu
nifty of folding her travelling shaw
around her, which dare say | did awk
wardly enough, having had no practice
and | carried her travelling basket to th'
cars. and established myself on the sam,
seat, quite as matter of course.
hoped that the course of conversation
would develop her fathers name ant
residence. or al.ude to a brother Nigh
s I ,,-,.- .-,.-.o 90 bo--