Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-09-03

I
suppose, that he could discuss critically
TOMS tune and time upon a six-keyed fule
who are they, father!' repeated Tom.
Your cousin Jane aud her particular
friend, Miss Adela Frone'
Tom started as if a mosquito had bitter
him. And I-I-sunk quietly back in my
chair with an easily suppressed feeling OF
astonishment. relieved by the assurance tina,
Toms irresistibility had not been fatal il
the New York case.
'Adela Frone!' said Tom.
Yes returned my father; SO you know
hertz
'Well-yes; l saw her, you know, when
| was in New York.
Dyes said my sister, 'Adela is the young
lady who so much affected Tom
sTbeg your pardon, Frace,' said Tom. but
if there was any sentiment between US
'Fie, Tom!' interrupted my mother, you
would not be SO ungallant as 10 lnsinuate
that it was all on the young lady side
Not by, any means, mother. was never
made sensible of any attachment in the case
either way Tom flung it off with cool in
difference.
| looked incredulous, and merely remark
ed, I'VE shell see.'
That night, before we went to bed, Tom
renewed his confidence with me on the New
York affair." He said. with vast emphas is,
that IT was impossible for him to describe or
for me to understand the thrilling emotion
with which he had heard the name of Adela
Frome, even from such unsympathizing and
matter r-of-fact lips as our fathers. He was
not aware before how indelbly her form and
faCe and name had been impressed upon his
heart. moments reflection, he said, had
suggested to him the possibility of losing
her-or rather.he hinted, the terrible thought
that Gus Webster nigh. endeavOr to thwart
his love, and become competitor for the
fair Adela's hand If he did, he insisted
upon it that Gus should meet him in the
field and give him the satisfaction of gen.
"a second; concluded, happily for me, that
it would not do to call upon a brother; and
at last postponed the farther consideration
of the subject indefinitely.
Who was Gus Webster! Why, he was
sort of a splendid fellow of our village as
well as Tom, but did not seem to know how
to make the most of himself, as man
ought to DO. lie was about the age of Tom,
and almost as handsome-T have heard that
ssme of the girls thought him quite so.-
! Blu. there is no accounting for feminine
tastes. l:ked Gus very well; and father
had even said that he wished Tom was more
like him. lie certainly did not mean in
person. could not detect any other sup
eriority, and would not, suppose, if could.
Toms confidence went further. He in
sisted upon becouing Adela's lover the
moment she set foot in --. lie would
declare himself at an early opportunity, and
II good time make her his wife. So il was
quite settled in my mind that Adela Frome
was 10 become Mrs Wells, and my sister
And went to sleep and dreamed of nephews
and nieces by the score, and of the present
that I, in my respectable bachelorhood,
should make them, when paid them visit
/ and dandlcd them on nv knee.
One evening in the ensuing week Tom
had returned with the light family carriage
in the little recess before the house. | was
feigning little business below a smo Il
shrubbery on ;he line Of the road, whence
| could see the occupants of the carriage
dismount without being myself observed :
Tom threw the reins upon the horses back
and leaped down himself. As be did so the
shaft broke, the splintered end flew up, cut
81 -, lot h. 4ol
he was off. but half dozen leaps brought
him on level with my position. Sprisg
ing into the road ! caught the bearing rein,
and with a sharp jerk on his bit checked his
pace, and in moment he was firmly in my
hand, though trembling in every fibre of
his body. Tom had run ssup and received
Cousin Jane as she kaped cut on one side,
while Adels, sprinsing out upon the other.
gave me a look OF touching gratitude, and
hastened round the rear of the carriage to
the relief of Jane, who had tainted in Toms
arms
i We passed very pleasant evening. Jane
was full Of animation, and overwhelmed me
with Acknowledgements of the brave exploit
which had saved their lives. had to put
stop to her gratitude by vowing that. if she
burdened me any further, would never do
! it again. Adela had simply remarked that
she owed me debt it was doubtful if she
! could ever requite; and then, with unfeign-
ed concern, asked if the horse had been
) hurt. For the rest, Tom monopolxed her.
=, He had scarcely eyes or ears FIR any one
else. And no wonder. She was very beau
tiful. Jane was pleasant, lively, piquant,
and intelligent girl. | was quite interested
l in her gay snG spirited sketches of New
York, and the various social phases in which
5 she presented it TO my Imagination. Occa-
sionaly her enthusiasm commanded the at
:, tention of Tome and Adela, and then, as
opportunity invited her, the latter would
d throw in a casual remark, which impaired a
e higher zest and happier, pleasanter, If more
t sedate an aspect to the scene. There was
l a marked contrast in the habits, tastes, and
: dispositions of the two girls, yet soon dis.
s covered that :hsy were inseParable friends.
y We were chatting away gayly. though
for my part | did but little of it, when faith
| er came in ,and introduced Mr. Augustus
i Webster. Toms courtesy never failed him
It He received our young friend with all out
e ward cordiality, but soon observed that he
It was determined 10 contest every inch of hi:
J. approach to closer intimacy with Adela.--
It Tom could always be engaing with the ladie:
II and he seemed TO be in excellent winning
1t condition with Adela by his side. |: wal
II soon apparent that Mr.. Webster was con
a tent with the position assigned to him-'
IT seat on the OF ler side of Jane. And wa:
N it to my chagrin at all that shortly discov
II cred in him a formidable rival for James at
tentions! Perhaps not. She certainl,
e, found him more congerial and delighte
companion than me, and | became onl
1T second in the scope of her remarks. An
TX so ! was relieved. Relieved for what! II
TT more freedom of the eye and ear-to gaz
- upon the luVeliest hainr that had ever,