Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-04-15
THOBURN & NICHOLS, pROPRIETORS]
NEW SERIES, VOL 9, NO l6.1

pointer, Caprice had st stretched himself at
the bottom of the staircase, and before she
was aware, Jenny Tracv stumbled over
him. Then there was a yelping and scam
pering, and being his especial pet, Law
renee felt annoyed and irritated. "Awk-
ward." he calculated mentally, at the same
time making profound bow, without vouch-
safng look at the unfortunate cause of
his irritation. t
"Poor, poor dog" exclaimed one of the
sweetest voices, and a round, stout little
arm caressed the dogs silken head. "Why.
he's a perfect beauty, isn't he, Johnl''
"And you are pretty picture, both of
you." returned bluff uncle Jack. Law
rence's curious eyes took in the pretty
picture solemnly. A charming, fresh
face, and blonde hair, kindly blue eyes, a
certain dignity and sweetness of express
sion, a cordial smile; such was Jenny Ira
cy. Raising his eyes, Lawrence could not
help noticing Johns admiring gaze fixed
on his cousin. "Juxtaposition" came up
permost in his mind.
That evening quite brought Lawrence
out of himself He was vivacious and in
teresting; talked of his travels with humor-
GUS pleasantness. They all walked upon
the lawn. Jenny ran races with "Caprice.' y
and challenged Lawrence TO game of
graces. Then he crowned her with the
hoop, and uncle Jack roared with laughter,
insisting that she should pay the forfeit
John backing him. Lawrence prepared him
self gallantly for a pretty little scene of
resistance; no such thing! As he advanc-
ed, she advanced also, and gave him good,
honest kiss, without affectation. He offer
ed her his arm, and they went into the
house. laughing like pair of children.
This country air is capital" quoth Law
renee, viewing his ruddy face before retir-
ing.
"Uncle Jacks fine fellow; John, first
rate; Jenny, good little thing" Got into
bed and slept sound, healthy sleep.
CHAPTER III.
The next day JohL and uncle Jack were
busy out of doors. Lawrence sauntered
around, spaded a little, but it soled his
hands, so he did not like that. Tried his
hand at the plough, but soon gave that up,
anG walked into the house, fairly exhaust
ed. Everything indoors Was tasteful and
neat; boquets everywhere, and little knick-
Knacks scattered about. Where was Jenny!
Going through the hall, Lawrence blum
dered through wrong door and made a
discovery There stood Jenny at the kitch-
en- table, enveloped in huge check apron,
kneaGing bread. He turned quickly, and
was about to beat retreat.
Don't gv!" cried Jenny, pleasantly, look
ing over her shoulder. "You mustn't be
lonely; come and learn how to be useful;
shall be done directly"
And he did come in; got himself busted
with flour little. watched her busy hands
shifting the bread, was instructed in the
art OF "raising over night" and united the
apron strings from round her neck. Then
there were strawberries to pick over, as
the cook was busy, SO when uncle Jack
came in for drink of water he found the
two sitting in amisble converse, with STAIN
ed fingers, On the kitchen sroop.
But this was novelty and did not last
long. In week, Lawrence began to re-
lapse; read, lounged, became apathetic, and
at times peevish, even to Jenny. Some
times he hurt her feelings by his is-fIieal'
delicacy, his want OF discrimination, his
fashionable foibles. John called him a
.lazv fellow;' uncle Jack told him two Or
three bluff TRUTHS and even Jenny expressed
her antipathy for inefficient men.
They were all healthy and happy but
himself: to his morbid fancy he seemed sin
gled out to bear the concentrated ills of
life. He grew daily more morose; four,
five weeks sped away, still idle, still good
for nothing!
"Has this man any nobility of charac-
teri" thought Jenny Tracy. "If So it ought
to be brought TO light. He seems good
natured enough at times, and full of social
energy when he chooses. What a pity
that with so many fine traits he should
throw away his life N this way! | will
try and rub up his rustiness little" And
she did try, like good Christian as she
was, but all to no avail. Everything she
required of him was granted reluctantly,
sometimes with rude repulse. hidden un-
der polished coolness. But the crisis was
to come at last.
One morning after good many contests
and considera Die ill-humor on the part of
Lawrence. the conversation turned upon
dreams and visions.
"Do you believe in dreams, any of you!"
said Jenny, while they were still at the
breakfast table.
"Dreams!" hegan Lawrence, contemptu-
ously, with curl of his lip. But Jenny
proceeded quietly to relate a remarkable
dream concerning deserted farm near by,
which had been confded to her by an old
nurse of hers.
"Do you believe itl can you credit such
thing!" demanded Lawrence, in an ag-
gressive tone. Jenny blushng. and half
laughing, replied that she could not feeling
an inclination that way.
swell, Miss Tracy, you are Seaker than
| thought for; should not have expected
lady of your requirements and discretion
to adopt the whimsicalities of a cranky old
woman"
| Hi, words we're SO uncalled for, his man.
ner SO cuttiag, that even the patient Jenny
was aroused. Lawrence Vane,' she said,
rising, her face flushing; "you are unkind
and ungentlemanly; | can overlook and
forgive your insulting remarks, when re-
member that indulgence and fashion have
crushed out any generous nobility there
might be in your nature. To them you
J owe my forbearance now, and many times
} when you have wounded me-" She burst
: into tears and left the room.
There YVES an embarrassing silence. John
took up book; uncle Jack sauntered oui
through the garden door. Lawrence sal
par.ng his nails-otherwise motionless-hi:
head bent. What was the matter with him
not anger, surely; his eyes were moist, hi
lip anything but scornful. What had hi