Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-05-27

AT tnls outbreak, Hllly tenderly embrace
me, and they all declared their unbounde
affection; but felt provoked with the worl
in general, and went moodily to bed.
Mr.. Denmore kindly insisted that m
uncle should occupy the mansion during tn,
full time for which he had engaged il; W,
were therefore just as comfortable as be
fore, with the addition of very agreeabl,
visitor.
He had habit OF staring at me that wa.
by no means pleasant; but as his converse
tion was most frequently addressed to my
little cousin Hilly, could not construe thi.
into anything fattering. He often askec
questions, tou, that struck me afterwards a;
being very peculiar. One night, after gaz
ing at me for time, he inquired if | eve
walked in my sleep; and on my reply ing
with an astonished negative, he looked dis
appointed. began to think Mr.. Denmort
little out of his mind, and avoided him a.
much as possible. But, one evening, JUS
at sunset, as stood beneath the boarded
window, whittier had habit of staying
OF late. Mr.. Denmore suddenly appeared
beside me.
"Have you ever visited the haunted room! !!
he asked abruptly, fixing upon me what
imagined most penetrating gaze.
"No," ] replied, without thinking; ''that
Is-yes," stammered-"let HE go, Mr.
Denmore!" for he stood directly in my path
"Where did you find the will," he con.
tinued, without needing my request.
"ln the pocket" l replied, mechanically
l felt that l was behaving like fool, and
made strange effort to recover my dignity;
but it failed, and burst into tears.
Mr.. Denmore took my hand with respect.
full tenderness and led me to a rustic seal
that stood near.
"l owe you more, Miss Entwick, said he,
"than can ever repay. only desire to
have this mystery explained. How could
you contrIve to make yourself SO exact a
personation of my aunt-all save the
wrinkles! You did not mean to be cruel in
thus exciting ne!'
"Why, how could kno you were there!
I replied with some spirit, for | was quite
provoked at this absurdity.
"True," he replied, with a smile at his
own unreasonableness; "but l am most
anxious to hear the story.''
told him the whole foolish affair, from
beginning to end; but interrupting me, as
dwelt upon my own folly, he declared that
he fully believed me to have been heaven
sent; and that but for "my folly" as was
pleased to call it, the will would, most pro-
badly, never have been discovered.
There was an embarrassing pause, and |
rose TO go to the house; but Mr.. Denmore
detained me.
"You have already done me an inestima-
BILE favor" he began; but have still an
other to ask"
| now thought myself conceited. and tried
to remember my nose; but | could not help
imagining what he meant from his manner
'Rehecca," he whispered, will you pro-
mise to brighten, with your presence, the
old mansion you have been the means Of re-
storing!"
81 thought" replied, in confusion, "that
HiIly-''
Miss Hi!degrade is very pretty child, ,
said he, sand | have had most delightful
conversations with her, of which you were
the subjeCtl"
al" exclaimed. in unfeigned astsnish-
ment.
Eyes. you," he replied, pressing the hand
of which he had somehow contrived to pos
sess himself. Il loved you" he continued,
"the first time saw you, for your resem-
Dlance to one who has been to me more
than a mother, and through your little
cousin | have become better acquainted
with you than you imagine. All that she
tod me confused my first impression; and
the discovery Of your 'masquerading folly;;'
to use your own words, has filled me with
the deepest gratitude. But you have not
answered my question:
Wha. followed is of no consequence to
any one but myself; suffice it to say that in
proper time my uncle and cousins were duly
informed; but they perverse;y refused TO be
astonished. They all declared that they
had had presentiment of this from the be-
ginning, and Uncle Althorpe mischievously
asked if he had not prophesied that would
"do!'
When Mr.. Denmore followed me home
to be inspected by those more near and dea r
to me. he passed the ordeal with credit; and
no very long time elapsed ere vas INSTALL
ed mistress of the old mansion.
Strange to relate. none of my five beauti-
full cousins have ever married, while I have
gained prize which believe any one of
them would willingly have appropriated. |
do not regret my masquerade, and | have
become reconciled to my nose; for believe
that had it been at all different | should
never have found my husband.