True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-04-22
VOLUME 8 NUMBER Is,


was reason, other than my resolve 10
seem Indifferent. or late, / thought |
had detected, beneath Jenny's gaiely, an
under current Of feeling sometimes, look
ing up suddenly, | had, caugh, the glance
of two blue eyes-and though speedily
Withdrawn, / could have vowed that
glance had something earnest, alInost
tender in it. quite belying her saucinoss
Of words or manner. Was il possible
that Jenny was playing part? thai she
had been caught in her own snare!
"The thought emboldened me; and,
one moonlight evening, coming upon her
suddenly sitting in an unwonted pensive
mood on the back piazza, | found myself
actually saying sentimental speeches.
with my arm about Jenny's waist.
The vixen! she beard me through.
smothered laugh in her handkerchief
sly ly pricked, with pin, the hand ! had
thrown around her, slapped my cheek
smarlly, and then disappeared through
the low French window opening into the
back parlor. Scarce three minutes after
going up stairs, heard her recounting
10 Seraphine Love, between her gusts Of
laughter, that " cousin Ned had actually
been quoting Tom Moore, and making
love 10 her after the most approved fash
ion" se
"Zounds! that was drop too much
and with my face still ,ingling under the
blow she had given, and my heart smart
ing sorer with wounded pride, on The i'm
pulse of The moment, pushed open the
door Of their room. The two girls sat at
window in the moonlight. / went up
close TO Jenny,
"'Miss Wilder and Phil, must
have fairly got into the heroics, for she
willed under my eye and sunk down in
her seat. Miss Wilder, this hand you
have wounded, you shall one day accept
and my cheek you shall ye. touch
with your lips. A kiss for a blow. you
know" and l left her. ~.
"a sound smote upon my ear as
shut the door behind me; but whether
laughter or sob l knew not. went
straight to my room-packed my trunks
found uncle Dick in his library, and
told my resolve, and before Jenny or her
dear friend had made her appearance
next morning. l was far away from
Beechwood.
In three years had gained my pro-
fession and during that time, had never
once visited home. Letters, many and
kind, came from uncle Dick and aunt
Mary, but never word from Jenny. !
heard Of her very often as belle and
beauty and flirt--snce she invariably re-
jecled all serious wooers. That latter
item pleased me strangely; and straight
way fell into becoming the devoted cav
alieg OF Kate Drew, a dashing Belle Of
Springfield. whose father counted his
property by hundreds Of thousands, and.
in my letters home, was always careful
TO speak of Miss Drew, the beautiful
heiress."
Urgent invitations cane from Beech
wood to revisit the old place ; but put
them off. Business before pleasure"
| urged in return Z" Coke, and Blackstone.
and-Kate Drew, detained me-" SO |
wrote Uncle Dick. En- passant, let me
mention, Phil, that Kate was engaged to
an old classmate of mine, in Italy those
last two years. and you will perceive the
drift Of our plans.
One item in Uncle Dicks letter
pleased me more than falherly advice or
invitations 10 Beechwood. Jennie g "
he wrote, "has just refused the best
offer in :he county-your old chum Pres.
ley Edwards, thriving young physician
rich, too, and belonging to one Of the
finest families in New Hampshire. l be.
lieve the girl has burned her fingers this
time |; but she is headslrOng as ever. By.
the.way, nephew, did you and she quar-
ell before you left Us! She ilouts like
very shrew when your nameis mentioned.
What's the matter, nephewl I Better
come back. aud settle up old scores, for
though Jenney's The least bit cOntrarrs
she has the best heart" So uncle Dick
wrote. ~
"And you went back TO Beecbwood I"
said Phil.
"Nol l." replied Ned, smiling, -
knew the time hadn't come. | wrote
home, that was off for foreign tour
took the next steamer from Boston--and
not till fifteen months after, did | set foot
in Beschwood again.
1T was as | expected. Jenny was
still unmarried. and flirting desperately
as ever. But faith, didn't recognize
the tall, queenly woman, who received
me with such cold stateliress in Beech
wood drawing room. Not a trace Of the
hoydenish, romping, misunderstanding
schoolgirl. had left over Eve years be.
fore.
9 Many gentlemen came to lhe house,
and she danced, sang, played, and liiEled
with them all-but not pin did she
care for one Of them.
], uBu, did she care ior me, still IL I
couldn't tell. Her old gaiey Of manner
! war all gone she Waa courieously. chill.