Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-05-12

80 49, A''4-' III * VI iaA
life in the house of a wealthy citizen,
was shy and unhappy. | had never beer
accustomed 10 the companionship of chill
dren, buiI SOON found that whenever
shrank iToluntarily from the dirty
noisy crew around me, gave offence +,
the smother, asd. through her, epresenta
lions, TO my father, who seemed complete
| ly uuder her inference.
Every Instructive indulgence in III,
tastes aud habits in which | had beer
reared was Looked upon as an evidence
Of pride, and soon found all the inhu
encesef home arrayed against me aud my
wishes.
had shrank, through shyness, from
attending the first party, but had gone be-
cause | could not resist my mother,
sneers and my fathers commands. And
50 much had been terrified by The good
natured distinguishes of the young peo-
pie assembled, that | mentally resolved
never to go again.
Notwithstanding | found myself once
more in the same circle after a trying
scene at home, and in my dread of The
thirty pairs of eyes fixed upon me had
been drawn into their games.
had not yet glanced al the face of the
young man at my side, nor had word
been inlerchanged, when the noisy group
in the centre of the room broke up. They
came crowding around me, uttering
broad but gool-humored jasts that | felt
sent the blood flushing aud burning into
my face. Ny companion must have fcli
me trembling, too. for he suddenly lean
ed forward and whispered:
"Dr MT be afraid, Miss Kate, they do
net intend any harm, and will see that
tioy do not much annoy you"
gave him one grateful glance, for |
was too near crying TO dare trust my
voice, and met a pair of brilliant, dark
eyes, fxei fall upon my face, very ninth
ful, yet good deal compassionate in ex-
preston. Suddenly he rose up, and
drawing my arm within his turned TO
The banIering group.
"Miss Kate has chosen me this even
ing, and take her under my protection
| shall be a very tyranf, and not one OF
you must sTeak to her without my per
mis- ION.
So slying he led the way TO an opposite
corner Of the room There, seeing that,
btween sbyness and The annoyances jus,
passed, was still unable TO control INV
voice or features, he stood before me
speaking calmly AMI quietly o. some un,
important subject. His pleasant voice
and quiet manner soon helped me 10 con-
Irol my agitation, and then he sat down
beside me. was amazed at myself talk
ing gaily with a stranger, and sill more
amazed to find myself happy for several
honrs Of the evening TO which looked
forward with so much dread, and which
commenced so inauspiciously.
And when he brought several of the
bright, ruddy-looking girls to speak 10
me in the course of the evening, / founI
what shyness had prevented me from
learning before, that they were amiable,
warm hearted creatures, in spite nf their
lack of refinement. So, on the whole,
the evening passed. off pleasantly, and |
was never afraid TO go again, especially
as, when they found l was not too proud
10 join in their sports, they never attempt
ed TO drag me into any | did net like.
But chief among the pleasant memo
rieS of that evening was the kindness of
Leander Holme. A pair of dark eyes
haunted my thoughts for many a day,
and | never forgot the soothing impress
sion of his calm voice and pleasant man
ner.
Leander Holme was the son of the on
ly rich man in the neighborhood. He
had been well educated, and that alone
would have rendered him Intimately su-
Perior to those around him, even if his
winning manner had not been that of
perfect gentleman-refined, courteous and
manly.
OF course, no one will wonder that
became deeply in love with Leander
Holme. His devotion had never waver-
ed from The first and long before The first
winter 10 my fathers home was passed,
had promised 10 become his wife. Ii
would have been dreary and miserable
winter indeed without his presence aud
his love, but with it,-ah, even now that
long years have passed, 1 think of that,
only recurring 10 that time, and never of
the discomforts that had, in the fullness
of my happiness, ceased to make me mis-
cradle.
My father and his wife were all smiles
and approval. But when, toward spring
our engagement came 10 the knowledge
of Leander's father he at once announc-
ed his decided disaPProbalion. heard
that he asserted hat lie would never con-
sent that his son should marry the daugh-
ter of lazy, diSsipated man, and he said