True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-02-18


tempting proximity to his own, III
".Mss Winslow Nellie, leave. this
village soon. Ny father summons me
home--a sudden ilness-but may / not
return some day to claim this hand. Mel.
lie; have / yainly loved you r.
Had that gay girl consulted her own
heart then, she would have spoken the
word that couldhave ensured ber happi,
ness; but the old mood was too strong
uponhe herlove Of revenge triumphed ,
In gay, bantertng tone she said,
I" And pray, 10 what unlocked for
cause may I attribute SO favorable, a
change ia Mr.. Pemberton's once avow.
ed sentiments toward Miss Winslow'!"
/. He looked toward her with surprised
air. Z.
A wicked light danced in her bright
eyes, and she shook her curls saucily;
drawing away her hand, 4.'..
7 +" Has, then, your memory grown SO
treacherous--and is your opinion so tickle
that lust the girl to ftirt with becomes
just the gill to lover / cannot. Under
stand such melamorphose. How do
l know but Mr.. Pemberton is flirting
still Z" +
In an instant it flashed upon him. Hi
bit his lips in vexation, and his hot
Southern blood rushed through his veins
What could he say in self defence ! Blu
after moments pause, he vehemently
exclaimed,
i" Nellie, | acknowledge that did no
utter that; bu; hear my defence, or rath'
er my excuse. | came to your village ;
though,less, concerted fellow. who imag-
ined his heart impenetrable to all shafts
you we're pointed out to me as prolesset
triAer with your lovers, and, in a mo
ment Of vain boasting, said what reach
ed your ears. But what the sequel ha
been you know |! have fondly hoped
from your manner, that you were no
lrifing with me. Nellie, / love you
and cannot think you would play par
with me. For my fault. ask absolutior
Let us be true with each other," ant
again he took her hand.
The.evil spirit Of mischief was no
exercised; for the girl rose, went to
distant seat, and threw herself down will
a wearied air, "Now, don't hurry one
so |" she said, drawing long breath
!" You are positively fatiguing!"
"Miss WlnsIow," and this time. hi
voice took a quickened tone, !" Mis-
Winslow, pardon ME, If say lam in nj
joking mood tonight. | cannot endure
intolerable suspense. Nellie, for once
be earnest, be true, lay aside bantering-
/ cannot hear it! Nellie, tell me an
no. Indifferent to you!' and he crosses
to where she sat.
There came little pause profoun
thrt ''the beating Of their own hearts wa
allIhe sound they heard;" and then fol
lowed a light. provokingly sarcastic reply
"Really, Mr.. Pemberlon, for you
profered kindness am grateful-bu
from the honor you intend me, beg to b
excused! Mercy how do know bu
you would weary Of me-and get m
sent off to Botany Bay or Utah city,
somewhere pleading only a little flirta
tion,' and then turn your attention {
some other little firl 2 Thank you
but think I'll continue in the ol
beaten path little longer" and she fel
TO- watching the moonlight sitting dow
through the vine leaves at the wester
window.
Certainly il Nellie Winslow intended
her words for gay banter, and thougl
that Pembertop would sue still furthe
for her favor, she was decidedly disap
pointed. A brief silence was followe
by few cold, quiet, sarcastic words
miss Winslow, my eyes are opened
Thank heaven. before il is too late, ! al
not the dupe Of a coqustte." ".
Ia another moment The girl sat alon
with the moonlight-al alone with the men
ory Of words she would have given wosld
to have recalled. b 'a