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

Bat alas she had just reached the bottom, when sh,
also was the victim Of Gabriels excessive polishing
She had been 80 elated with Mr.. Lesley's fall, that Sd,
forgot her own footsteps, and after a slide and an inef
Ssetual effort at recovery, she too came down.
@sStI believe With Rochefoacault, Miss Page, that VI
as always glad to see others brought down to our owl
level said the gentleman, As he assisted her up.
Natalie bit her lips with ~vexation. .Oh, if onl,
could be revenged,' she muttered, as she made her VI.
20 the library. Il wish he would fall in love with me-
Wouldn't I refuse him ? and the very thought broupb,
tho light to her eyes.
A week Of wet weather set in. There were no more
rides, nor ramoles, for the party at the Woodlands
down; sodden flowers nodding sullenly in the garden
the dreary, dreary rain the mournful winds roarine
about the old house; was it any wonder that those who
had nothing else to occupy them should fall in love.
In truth, Antony Lesley had surrendered his hear,
s.ncoaditionally. the night when Nstalis's nodding head
have It remain there, excusing himself to himself by
thinking how much more comfortable it was for her. !,
As tor Natalie !-well, Natalie was playing a despe.
rate game. determined to be revenged for bis calling be,
y sremp,' and 70 let him zee that she really did moi
mean to marry the gentleman of whose shoulaer she
made . pillow in the cars.
There hung in the hall, at Woodlands, q portrait OF
one Of the Tsylors Of olden times, q stately lady, with
pride on her regal brow, and pride in the curl of her red
hips, but withal a dewy sadness in the yearning 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-colored brocade and delicate lace seemed a
at sppendsge to the wearer. This picture had haunted
Natalie and she often spoke of it.
A game Of chess tonight, Miss Pager asked Mr..
Lesley, one evening.
Natalie %assented, and they played for a long time in
silence. He had just made a move, and she sat leaning
her cheek on her hand, contemplating the board thought-
fully. He looked at her steadily. He was beginning
to arrive at . true estimate Of her character he was
beginning to think that her defiant manner was proba.
bly, not 50 much against him after all. As he leaned
across the small chess.table, his breath almost waved
the loose which fell on her neck.
Miss Page! 81
Natalie looked up.
DO you know the story of the lady whose picture
Jou talk of so much ? he asked.
She lived and loved and died, the usual story, l
suppose was the Indifferent answer. =
YES, but she was beloved in return said Mr.. Lesley.
quite common !" was the only reply, with a nod.
b = man who was willing to sacrifice all the pre-
JUDGES Of religion and rank for h>r sake continued the
gentleman.
quite uncommon = 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 stold.
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.
'C~heck-mated?
A cold bow was the only answer, as the gentleman
wheeled away the table to let her pass.
Oh! Maynard 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 that there was regret in her eyes,
as she sat gazing, silently, in the fire, seeming to sex
in the glowing Goals for a prophecy Of her future.
HE cant call me a coque:te; I've never encouraged
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
know she understood me- he was saying to him.
sell. But what can she mean? If she had been p
thorough coquette she would have let me declare mysel
outright. What have l done to pique her !? | don,
believe she dislikes me. Yes, it must be pique! We'll.
she's q woman, and when you have said that, you'v.
said everything. But, | can't understand it,
CHAPTER III.
Pleasant weather came at last. An excursion up the
mountain, which had been deferred from day today.
was now decided upon.
But, how to get so large a party up? that 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, I'm sure.
why not 60 in carriages?' asked Natalie.
That shows how very little you know about Virginia
mountains answered Antony Lesley. why, Miss
Page, you might as we'll try to scale Parnassus in an
ox-esrt' I 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
Mr.. 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 4;
your arms will never reach around her in the world
sTI 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,
Sach 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
perfect ideal Of an Arab beauty, a load for 4 camel.
who had . ready lived twenty years, and considered that
his days for work were over, but that he would occa-
sionally carry Miss Bryant as a favor.
One couple after another de6led of the lawn, aud
Natalie, who had hung back. hoping th' Antony Les
ley would ride away with a lady. was at last obliged to
let him assist her to mount. Miss Bryant was already
seated in the saddle, putting with the effort it cost her
to get there, and nearly mon"polizing the horse. Natalie
scrambled on. Pluto turned hs head, phlegmatically.
At this imposition, gave an equine grunt, and quietly
shook her Of. t
With much laughter, and some doubts as to the re-
suit, Natalie sgain m 'unted. Pluto did not even deign
TO look around this time, but shook himself like a huge
hippopotamus that has just acme from the water; aud
she lighted on her feet a second time.
'1bink better Of it yet, won't you, Miss Page! said
Antony Lesley, who bad been an amused spectator OF
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 Pluto
by the bride and led him off, giving no time for further
resistance. He was q sensible horse, and walked with