Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-02-14

explaining the circumstances which had
occasioned her fainting. He was riding
hastily home to his fathers, when his
horse, high spirited animal, took fright
at something in the road, and dashed off
headlong with his driver. On turning o
sharp angle in the road, he came so sud-
denly upon my sister as to knock her
down, and then he sprang from his horse,
and, raising her, discovered that she had
tainted and the dark, fine eyes of the
gentleman expressed more of regret at
the circumstance than even the graceful
apology which he offered mamma.
Well, the life tinge rippled slowly back
to Nellie's check, and she opened her
brown eyes and stared wonderingly
around her. In a few moments she sat
up, with mammals arm about her waist,
and replied to the eager inquiries Of the
gentleman that she felt quite we'll.
remember he remained with her un-
til she had walked twice across the room,
to assure him she was entirely recovered,
and then, with another long, admiring
glance on her face, he bade us farewell.
The next day the stranger stopped at
the door moment to inquire if my sis
ter was quite well after her recent fright,
and, on the subsequent one, magnifi-
cent boquet was left for Miss Graham,
with the compliments of Edward Pres
ton upon the card attached to the rich
exotics. We knew, then, that the gen
tleman was the son of old squire Pres
ton, who lived in the tall mansion on the
hill, with the great pillars cleaning out,
white and ghostly, from the jasmine and
roses which coiled lovingly around them
A.proud, exclusive family were the Pres
tons, mingling very little with society in
the village. edward was never a bit
like them," Nellie said, with blush
They had been playfellows in childhood.
A few days after, Nellie and l went
out to take walk at sunset, and Mr..
Preston came very suddenly upon U.s.
| could not help admiring the courtly
grace with which he lifted his hat, and
asked permission to accompany US to a
slight elevation not far off, which, he said,
would not only afford fine view of the
sunset, but furnish US picture of ex-
quisitc landscape beauty.
Of course, Nellie and | could not de-
cline this invitation, and the young man
was very careful in assisting us, particu
larly my sister, over every stone or obsta-
Gle in the road And then how charm
ingly he talked, getting surrcptitious
glances of Nellie's face all the time-that
face that looked SO strangely fair, with
the dying day beams fitting, like angels
fingers, among her brown curls.
Mr.. Preston accompanied us home that
night, and when he had said i" Good
evening"" and left us, turned back on
the doorstep, and saw him standing very
still, Watching Nellie all the while. |
told her, and the crimson drifted into her
checks as she said, Don't look, Annie,
don't"
The next day, there came very rich
ly bound volume of :" Tennyson's Po-
ems" for my sister. Miss Nellie,
from her friend Edward" was written,
in beautiful hand, on lie fyleaf of the
cover.
But mamma looked very grave when
she saw these, and that afternoon she and
Nellie had long private conversation. |
only overheard these words =. Remem-
ber, my child, that the proud father
would never consent to his marrying the
daughter of poor and humble parents.-
Education and natural refinement of taste
and feeling would vainly plead in your
favor. Wealth and social elevation must
be the dowry of the woman who marrics
the son of Squire Preston"
What sensible woman my mother
was! and so ladylike, too. / always
thought Nellie's gentle, graceful manner
was her bequest. l went into the room,
after mamma had left it, and found Nell
ly crying one hand was over her eyes,
but could see the tears travelling fast
through her fingers. The books We're
wrapped in tie white paper which had
enveloped them when they were received.
| guessed, then, that she intended to re-
turn them, and wished that beautiful gen.
tleman had given them to me. I'd like
to see me giving them back if he had.
The neat afternoon brought with it Mr..
Preston. ] don't know what Nelly said
to him, but she came into the bedroom
where mamma and | sat, looking greatly
agilated, and said: +" Mother, i have done