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

on my horse he SAID, as be came up to where she was
hanging.
No, take away your horse, I'll jump was the curt
reply.
Jump away, them Lesley answered, coolly. you
will hurt yourself, and III pick you up and take you
back to the Woodlands.'
Without a word, Natalie seated herself behind Antony
on his horse, but taking care to be as ungracious As
possible.
Miss Bryant was quietly watching the proceedings
from the other side of the stream, ami when she saw
Miss Page under Lesley's protection, she logged Oh,
quivering like a bag Of jelly with every step that Pluto
took.
Stop your horse, Mr.. Lesley I'm going to get off,
said Natalie, when they were firmly landed on the op.
poste bank.
What for p be asked, as he quickened bis horses
speed, by a motion Of bis heel. t
: am going to walk, was the reply Of his companion,
loosening her hold.
But the increased gait of the horse made her tighten
her grasp, involuntarily.
Every once AMI a while Natalie would loosen her
hold, aud just as often by an imperceptible sign from
his master, Comet would start of again ut q quicker
pace.
A satisfied smile was on Mr.. Lesley's face, which he
took good care to conceal, BY never turning his head.
As for Natalie, in spite Of her intense vexat on, the
whole thing was go ludicrous that she could not help
laughing.
BY this time they had overtaken the rest of the party,
and the ascent up the side of old Blair had com.
| menced.
If Natalie had but felt comfortable with regard to her
return, she would have enjoyed the magnificent view
which now presented itself. Distant mountains, grand
and solemn in their purple shadows; others golden in
| autumn tints and the glorious sunset and all around
the rose.colored and violet shades of the coming twi.
light, creeping slowly up the sides of the nearer hills.
The scene had subdued Natalie. She suffered her.
| self to be assisted On Comets back without a word
and the ride home, in the hazy autumn twilight, was
49, 49, H. a. 6 ~ -. l->--l L.. 49,
companion, or the subdued laughter Of some of the party
Lehind them.
A week had now elapsed since the day Of the excursion
to the mountain. Natalie's spirits had become strange.
unusual disposition to reverie. There was feverish
longing, but scarcely an expectation, Of hearing the
story which once before she had cut 80 short. Had An
! tony Lesley but been naughty, or even cool in his de
meanor toward her, she would have taken heart OF
| grace : but he treated her with the same careless po.
He never avoided her he never sought her company.
Natalie felt that she was playing the game badly. II
he was thoughtful, she was afraid be would suspect the
cause, and then she was recklessly gay if she was gay,
she felt that her laugh was empty, and she became 81
icnt again and so she alternated.
She had but one hope, and that was in the wedding
She had often heard that there was a certain magnetism
1T such times, that made the propiuquity Of hearts ex-
| ceedingly dangerous to bridesmaids and groomsmen.
But the bridal evening came, and Natalie Page was
conscious Of looking more beautiful than she had eve:
lone before yet az she sauntered about the crowded
rooms, or walked in the cooler balls after a dance, with
her hand IN Antony Lesley's arm, it Was not pressed
closer to his side than the veriest strangers would have
been be seemed to permit it 10 rest there, and that
was all.
She talked about the picture in the hall, but instead
f its leading the way, as it had done before. to a story
he would not now refuse to hear, Mr.. Lesley com'
nenced a dissertation on painting She spoke of the
neighboring festivities which were to be extended to the
bride and groom /; aud he replied, with indifference, that
80 much feasting was an annoyance rather than other.
wise, and that as he was obliged to 60 North, be thought
he should leave in two or three days, and be in Rich
monl by the time Cora and Frank arrived there and
had taken possession Of their new home.
There was a culver around Natalie Pages mouth, at
his announcement but her voice was steady as she an
swered, after a moments silence, that it was certainly
d pleasant time Of the year to 90 North
After this she danced every set, never seeming to
tire, and laughed and talked most pertiuaciously to her
cavaliers.
DO you really mean to 60 tomorrow, Antony?'
asked Frank, a few evenings after the wedding.
Yes, l shall leave BY daylight, in time to catch the
through train at c. was tho reply.
Frank voted his brother mean, Cora pouted, and the
rest Of the party loudly protested against the desertion:
All but Natalie. She sat by a table with her head
SO'eS sR"AS" 49, ~~N0"6 c"~~ ~~ S"y
santhemums, and the crimson leaves OF the gum tree, in
q vase before her.
Now, Antony said Frauk, { I know there's no ne.
cessity Of your going. Stay now, to please Cora, won't
you? That's q good fellow! r~0
His brother seemed to hesitate a moment. He
glanced at Natalie, whose fingers were still busy, and
her head still averted
'Come now continued Frank, suppose We toss up
whether you shall stay or go; heads / win, tails you
lose,' be cast a laughing glance at Cora, as much as to
say by that process he must stay, you know.
you have all the advantage on your side, Frank, it
not sid one word to urge me to stay she therefore is
Indifferent either way and will be fair so if she will
play a game Of CHEFS with me, that shall decide the
matter. Ii | win, | am to CO.
Natalie appeared to have difficulty in making a cluster
Of the chrysanthemums stand erect for she still busted
herself with them, though at Lesley's proposition she
had suddenly turned her head toward him but her
eyes were now ON the flowers, and the crimson Of her
} cheek rivaled that Of the leaves among which her fingers
~trembled.
To be sure she will play the game. Won't you,
Natalie! asked Cora, and going up to where she sat,
she whispered, : | know you don't care anything about
his staying, but do it for my sake, won't you?
'Ob! certainly, if you wish it so much, dear an
{ swered Natalie, carelessly.
But she never looked toward her opponent, till just
} as she was seating herself at the chess-table. Here she
gave him one quick, scrutinizing glance, and sat down
The game went on for a long while in silence Les
Icy gaining great advantages, she obviously playing
J very careIessly. Cora stood behind her, watching
, them, till at last she said,
oh, Natalie you are mt trying to win. You prom
: ised you would for my sake
Sc | did, Cora; we'll, l will try and as she spoke
3 she glanced again at Lesley.
, Pm doing my best, Miss Page be said. 'Remem
Der it is a serious thing for our friends it YOU lose,' but
his grave, somewhat anxious face, belied bis light words
i Natalie took a long breath, settled herself in he1
: chair, and seemed at last to give her whole attention t.
tn. game.
: Each now played their best, but still there was al
}, unusual hesitancy in her moves.
Lesley's fingers rested for a moment on his piece, a
D if he was not quite determined whether to take advan
t tsge Of bis position or not, then be moved, and LOOKING
& at Natalie, he said,
'C~beek'pssed, Miss Paep! Iga'