The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-02-17

70 the library. : I wish he would fall in love with me.
Wouldn't | refuse him |? and the very thought brought
tho light to her eyes.
A week Of wet weather set in. There were no more
rides, nor rambles, for the party at the Woodlands.
Grey mists over the hills yellow leaves circline SLOWLY
down; sodden flowers ~nodding sullenly in the garden
the dreary, dreary rain the mourntul winds roaring
about the old house; Was it any wonder that those who
bad nothing else to occupy them should fall in love.
In truth, Antony Lesley had surrendered his besrt
Internationally. the night when Na.alie's nodding head
had rested on his shoulder. He had been very glad to
have it remain there, excusing himself to himself BY
thinking how much more comfortable i. was for her.
As for Natalie well, Natalie WAS playing a despe.
rate game. determined to be revenged for bis calling her
= 'romp,' and to let him see that she really did not
mean to marry the gentleman Of whose sLoulaer she
made 3 pillow in the cars.
CHAPTER III.
There hung in the ball, at Woodlands, a portrait of
one Of the Tsylors Of oldeu times, a stately lady. with
pride on her regal brow, and pride in the curl of her red
lips, but witha! a dewy sadness in the yearuing eyes.
The hair was combed back carelessly from the full fore
head, and hung in long, loose curls on the white neck
The stiff rose-cclored brocade and delicate lace seemed q
at sppendage to the wearer. This picture had haunted
Natalie and she often spoke Of it.
$ A game Of chess tonight, Miss Page q asked Mr..
Lesley, one evening.
Natalie assented, and they played for a long time in
sileace. He had just made d move, an she sat leaning
her cheek on her hand, contemplating the board thought
!ully. He looked at her steadily. He was beginning
to arrive at q true estimate Of her character he was
beginning to think tta. her de6an, manner was proba.
bly, not 50 much against him after all. A. he leaned
across the small! chess.table, his breath almost waved
the loose which fell on her neck.
Miss Page!
Natalie looked up.
'Do you know the story of the lady whose picture
Jou talk of so much 2 be asked.
She lived and loved and died, the usual story, l
suppose,' WAS the Indifferent answer.
Yes, but she was beloved ia return said Mr.. Lesley.
quite common =" was the only reply, with a nod.
b a man who was willing to sacrifice all the pre-
JUDGES Of religion and rank for h,r sake continued the
gentleman.
quite uncommon 2 was all the answer that Natalie
designed, as she raised her hand as if to make a move.
'She was too proud to marry him, but it broke her
heart said Lesley.
Very foolish of her, answered Natalie.
you don't seem to fancy that story, Miss Page ;
I've another that I'll tell you
For one moment Natalie looked in his face. A CLEAN
Of triumph was in her eyes. as they fell, but the rest of
her countenance was stolid.
She raised her hand for one moment her fingers
rested above the piece it was moved and, with eyes
that looked steadily at Antony Lesley, but with a low
voice, she said, meaningly, as she rose from her seat.
'Check-mated"
A cold bow was the only answer, as the gentleman
wheeled away the table to let her pass.
Oh! hayward heart of Natalie Page. She surely
should have been happy, for had not her pride triumph.
ed, and her revenge been sweet and sure But one
might have thought tina. there was regret in her eyes,
As she sat gazing, silently, in the fire, seeming to lex
in the glowing Goals for a prophecy Of her future.
He can't call me a coque;te I've never encouraged
him. she thought, as her glance fell on Mr.. Lesley.
who was now seated at a table with a book in his hand.
though not a leaf had been turned since he took it up
Il know she understood me- he was saying to him
self. But what can she mean? If she had been -
thorough coquette she would have let me declare mysel
outright. What have l done to pique her ? l dom,
believe she dislikes me. Yes, it must be pique! Well.
she's Q woman, and when you have said that, you've
said everything. Bur, | can't understand it,
CHAPTER III.
Pleasant weather came at last. An excursion up III.
mountain, which had been deferred from day to-day,
was now decided upon.
But, how to get so large a party up? tina. is the
question: said Frank Lesley, at the breakfast table.
There are not horses enough for so many, it's true,
answered Mr.. Taylor, so you must ride double, young
folks. Some won't object, Pm sure.
why not 60 in carriages? asked Natalie.
THAT shows how very little you know about Virginia
mountains answered Antony Lesley. why, Miss
ox-cart. l shall DO very happy to carry you behind
me"
Don't 60 with him, Natalie, you'll have to hold on
TO him like grim death, and that's what he wants. said
Dir. Taylor, laughing.
4 do not intend to- was the reply. Miss Bryant,
If you 60 on Pluto, let me ride behind you, won't you ?
Certainly, honey, we can 60 so, all comfortable
Better have taken my offer, Miss Page whispered
Antony Lesley, as they left the table. You see, Miss
Bryant is so big that she will want all Of Pluto for her.
self; and, besides, you will have to be tied to her
your arms will never reach around her in the world
.'Tll risk it, answered Natalie.
you'll repent said the gentleman. you're an
Amazon in the saddle, but it is yet to be seen what you
are behind it,
Such laughter and scrambling as there was in mount
ing, when the party assembled after an early dinner.
Miss Bryant, a maiden sister Of Mrs. Taylor's, was the
And Pluto was a huge beast, with a mini Of his own,
who had q ready lived twenty years, and considered that
his days for work were over, but that he would occa.
sioaally carry Miss Bryant as a favor.
One couple after another de6led of the lawn, and
Natalie, who had hung back. hoping that Antony Les
let him assist her to mount. Miss Bryant was already
seated in the saddle, putting with the effort it cost hel
to get there, and nearly mon"polizing the horse. Natalie
scrambled on. Pluto turned his head, phlegmatically
at this imposition, gave an equine grunt, and quietly
shook her of.
With much laughter, and some doubts as to the re
suit, Natalie again m ,untei. Pluto did not even deign
TO look around this time, but shook himself like a huge
hippopotamus that has just acme from the water and
abe lighted on her feet a second time. =.
'1hink better OF it yet, won't you, Miss Page! sale
Antony Lesley, who bad been an amused spectator o
all this. But she shook her head in the negative
though she could almost have cried from vexation.
She was no sooner seated than Mr.. Lesley took Plut
by the b'idle and led him off, giving no time for furtne
resistance. He was q sensible horse, and walked Will
sleepy, half shut eyes, regardless of all Miss Bryant
efforts to quicken his pace.
Natalie was just beginning to feel tolerably comfort
able, and as II, with great caution, she could keep he
seat, when they came to a narrow, but rapid stream o
water, rushing over a stony bed, which they, ver
obliged to ford 1t was very picturesque, glancing il
she sunlight, %hurrying around projecting stones, ant
habbling on under alders and guarded old grapevine
shat fringed the banks. Pluto seemed to think it pleas
ant too, for, after taking a few steps in tue water, muc|
to Natalie's horrcr he showed a decided inclination t
stop. .sr
'Oh! he'll shake me off again. said Natalie, clingin
more tightly to Miss Bryant.
NO, be won't; keep quiet. Get along, Pluto wa