True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-08-05
STEUBENYILLE, OHIO WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1857


into their clear hearts, as bewildered I
gazed upon them. ,, .a. ..:
Aunt Myra clapped her hands in admi-
ration and delight. "What a magnificent
gift, Alice! Mr.. James has really out
done himself" -.. .,
"But, aunt, cannot, | ought not to
accept this am sure Leonard would dis
approve Of it," .... y, .
What an absurd child you are. 1t
would he so impolite too, after you pro.
missed to accept and wearit. What would
Mr.. James think of you - ,a .
"But the wishes of the man am to
marry are to me a mightier law than any
conventional ones, aunt Myra."
"What a pity cousin Tim had the
bringing up Of YOU" pettishly calculated
my aunt. "These squeamish notions of
yours positively morilfy me very much,
Alice. For my sake, if not for your own,
l hope you'll not be so rude as 10 break
your promise of wearing the ring tonight.
I'm happy to say you're the first woman
| ever knew who was content 10 be a
slave 10 any man."
My pride was reused at this. /" as
sure you, aunt Myra, i, is from no fear Of
Leonard that | refuse 10 wear the gift :
but under The circumstances have no
right 10 accept il" ,.. ....rt... ..
But you tave done so already, and
can only make yourself very absurd now
by refusing it,"
This was true, and influenced by hel
arguments and her greater knowledge ol
social rules. reflected somewhat after
this fashion, ut might be, it really did
seem impolite, unkind, to return the ring
at once. I had viewed the matter as {
jest, bu. Mr.. James, il appeared, had not
Would it not be best to avoid any unplea
SAINT feeling on his part, by wearing th'
ring that evening, and returning it at tn
same time, candidy telling him my rea
sons for doing so 7" At last resolve'
upon this plan.
"Did you think would never come
aunt? Jane has been so long arranging
nv hair. But am quite ready now, ant
why, Leonard Stone, is it possible |!
1t was evening. and just dressed for .h'
soiree, l hurried into the parlor, wher'
aunt Myra had been awaiting me severa
minutes. had caught up my gloves ant
my shawl, as it was growing late, ant
the carriage was al the door, so will
these in my hands confronted Leonard
whom I did not expect until the mex
day.
He did not come forward, and reach ou
his hands to welcome me. He stool
there by the mantel, white and still ant
stern, his lips pressed together with tina
expression Of indomilable pride and will
which struck out all the tenderness from
his face, and lef! nothing but the har
slernness there. -sI ..-~-
My aunt was nervously pacing up an
down the room, evidently excited an
angry. "Alice said the low fir
voice Of Leonard, II have heard fror
your aunt the history Of that damon
ring on your finger. II is my wish ths
you should remove it this instant"
The tone itself, TO say nothing of til
words themselves was a command.
il had been more request, or an enlreat
I should probably have complied wit
ii. But Leonarfs manner was certainl,
irritating, and my education and my ma,
ural temperament had never taught m
submission, it was the first time the prid
of both our natures had been brought in
to collision. ,'.'~."'f|" ','"
@"I should like to know first your re;
sons for such a mandate as this, Leonard
/ answered. haughlily almost defantly
while my aunt interposed. -.
81 hope you wont be such simpletoT
Alice" a
"My reasons for asking this you kno'
already, SO there is no necessity for r,
pea,ing them. The woman who is to b
my wife, shall never receive such gi
as that from any man. | would not haV
believed it OF yol, Alice" - "
And / would not have believed VIII
l have just Witnessed Of You, Leonard.
(Oh it is a terrible thing when pride ge
the mastery Of two loving hearts
"We will not waste words. Once &
all will you remove that ring from yol
finger, and in ny presence enclose il
the gentleman who had the audacity
send it 10 you :" .
If he had known / intended to give
to Mr.. James that very evening, 1t wou
have softsned his words, but had col
cluded to do this befsre informing N
aunt, as / dreaded her expostula,ions.
was too proud TO disclose my intent,
now, and in her presence. "And wh
J If | should prefer to choose my own tin
and manner for doing this, Leonard
} was my not very compromising respons
!, That is you may net do it at all.
| shall not make any more requests /: b
: if you do not comply with this one
> the spot, you dissolve our engagement
. He meant il then, ! saw it III the fas
4 ing of his eyes, in the sill, settled pl
I pose written on his lips. -.
A And l. God forgive me for have !
: repenied in sorrow Of years and bitterne
!, Of hear. for those wosds, but youth al
Z anger al bis injustice were high with