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

There was such a party assembled in the wainscoted,
low-ceiled library at the Woodlands, as can only be
gathered in a h~ospitable mansion of old Virginia. 1t
was October, but the evenings we're cool among those
breezy hills, and a huge hickory fire cracked and
~sparkled in the wide-mouthed chimney, throwing rudy
lights on the groups who sat near it, and strange, fan.
tastic, dancing shadows on The more distant book. cases,
and the be ruf8ed or peruked portraits which hung here
and there around the room. Over the bronzed clock on
the mantle were suspended branching deer.horns, fpx's
brush, a clumsy old Queen Anne,' and a rusty sword
or two, each of which had a story of its own.
Papa, mamma, here's Natalie said Cora Taylor, as
she entered the library, followed by a lady who was 50
tall that Cora's petite form seemed almost Airy.like be.
side her .---
How did Charley happen to miss you ? How far
did you have to travel alone r Weren't You horribly
afraid 2 were the questions asked on all sides, ~ soon
az the greeting. were over. ~
.oh! no, : wasn't afraid. I got along very we'll,
o'clock when we changed cars At A., and when l
entered the car there was not a vacant place. Some:
body was curled up on every seat, that had not already
two occupants. / acknowledge that I was worried and
nervous from having missed Charley and Of course did
not feel inclined to stand all night, so by the time I got
to the furthest end of the car and found no vacancies, I
was obliged to rouse a gentleman, and ask for a part Of
his seat. He gathered himself up without a word, but
l suspect that his blessings did not shower upon me-
Natalie paused, but Cora said, We'll, 20 on, tell the
lrest.' - a1asIs --a . go
Certainly, Mss Page, no half condolences, if you
please said Mr.. Taylor, laughing: ~a
oh! I've not any condolences to give, except that l
got Sleep, at last, suppose, aud probably nodded. l
have no doubt but that my performances in that way
looked like a Chinese Mandarin in Dresden porcelain.
Then | awoke with-well, I'm ashamed to tell it. but
its absolutely true-I awoke with a-a-saore, and
found myself comfortably sleeping On the gentleman
shoulder --4.|e - =
Happy gentleman !! interrupted Mr.. Taylor.
."ash ne handsome, Miss Page p asked some Of the
Il don't know, for the lights were all out, except one
in the far end Of the car, but I think he had dark eyes,
that expressed a good deal Of amusement. and a moust
tache, and that's always handsome, you know. Blu.
the provoking part Of the business was that l went to
sleep the second time, and when I awoke aboutdayliph
! was on his shoulder again. Indeed l rather began to
like it.. said Natalie. zssaa aaf I'D -
Yes, and she vows that she's going to marry q man
who can support her SO comfortably laughed Cora.
unfortunately for any design Of mine, he went on,
and | stopped At P, in the vain hope that Charley
would turn up somewhere Natalie replied.
why, Antony, you must have come on in the same
tain with Miss Page, then ! & What / pity YOU hadn't
gentleman who was sitting out Of the group, away from
the fire, and in the shadow &. A.s ~1-HA ga .
should have been happy to have known Miss Page
was the reply, without looking up 7s = %
Natalie glanced quickly around. She had not noticed
him before, but the speaker seemed determined that his
face should not be seen, for he leaned over With his
head down, and his elbows on his knees, pulling the
ears of a greyhound that vaa standing before him. :
I'LL tea was announced, the dog seemed to eneross
the gcntleman's attention. Then Cora said,
Here, Antony, take care Of Natalie. I put her un.
der your especial charge till after the wedding And
she went of happy, leaning on Frank Iesley's arm.
For Frank and hsrssaf bad sssasgsd;t dat his brother