The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-07-15

around me on this picture OF taste ana elegance
/ thought surely, here must be always happy
and contented.
NV musings were soon interrupted by the en-
trauce Of my aunt, tall, stately matron, with
brown wrey eyes, and manners as stiff and pre-
else as the snuff coored silk dress that rustled
around her person. She welcomed me with as
much warmth as could b. expected from one
whose appearance betokeued so much GOODNESS
and stability. | retired that night with no very
exalted opinion of my auntS disposition for
though had always been confined within the
limits of my own little village, and my means
for studying the characters of persons had been
small, still my quick sense always very natu.
rally taught me to read their common disposi-
tions.
| awoke in the morning quite refreshed, and
walking to my window, looked out on the
bright, beautiful morning. had just opened
the easement when | saw the most beautiful
picture of innocence and loveliness, that ever
before beheld. Twas young and lovely girl.
Almost an ougel she seemed to mo. A slight,
grlish fgme, with sunny ringlets pushed lightly
back from her snowy forehead bright, laughing
blue eyes, and cheeks of the same deep roscate
hue as the bushing roses which she was pluck
ing from a beautiful rosebush, and arranging
tastelully into boquet. And this is Minnie
Rivers my sweet cousin Mnnie,' | murmured,
and losing all selfcontrol, bounded down th'
SldlGS Out lllVb llt pluLLi, huu Ill u luUncuI
more had her folded tightly in my arms, while
she half mothered me with kisses And our
compact OF friendship thus hastily formed, did
not end here. Nearly every hour of the day
found US together, and she soon learned to con-
fide in me, telling me all her little secrets, and
coming to me with all her little burdens of sor
row, as well as her little bursts Of Joy. She had
no one else to go to with her little troubles for
mothers love she found not, in her step moth
| a,,,ll No 4 hrnn hAr
cold, naughty demeanor, and thus we seemed
drawn more closely together, and dear Minnie
! often said ii seemed as natural for us to lsve
each other as for the flowers to love the sun,
shine.
! At the close of sweet summer day, about a
month after my arrival, as we stood together in
the soft twilight, each busy with our own
I thoughts, she suddenly drew near to me, as if
some new determination had Just been formed,
and sezing my hands she whispered, dear
cousin, you little know what is ever uppermoSt
in my mind; you little know Of whom dream
both day and night. | presume you thought
that my heart did not possess a single secret
that you did not also know but you will for
give me sweet cousin, for withholding one Sc
cret--a great secret from you 80 long, will you
not? for have tried oh 50 many times, to tell
you but tine words always died upon my lips.
Tonight have determined that aDiL tell you.
| can refrain no longer, for my heart is nearly
bursting with happiness All it was strange
words that fell from Minnie's lips that night
Sweet cousin Minnie was engaged-was soon to
become a BRIDE She described her hearts idol
as a complete pattern of noblcnesS AMI perfec-
tion | never had seen her half so beautiful
as when in her wild excitement, she so eloquent
ly poured forth his unbounled praises, All the
deep, passionate love of her young heart was
lavlshed on him, and | trembed lest some
treacherous heart had won her love, and when
he had triAed with her affections for while,
should cast them back again at her feet. had
designed telling her my own hearts secret when
she had finished, but she had fingered so long
talking Of her loved one and her happy fu.
ture, that the twilight had faded away, the fair
moon had climbed high in the heavens, and the
night was far advanced when she had finished
her tale.
1t was but few days later that sought my
cousins room intending to tell her Of my dar.
ling secret--my loved and worshipped Harry
i With an unusually light aid happy heart enter
ed the room, for had Just received such sweet
encouraging letter from him, as made my hear
bound with joy. Minnie was not there and
was just turning to leave the room and look TO
her, when my eyes fell on dague ueotype tha
lay on the table. | carelessly picked it up anC
opened it. No wonder that started back Will
face so pale that | scarcely knew myself ii
the mirror before me- No wonder that | fel
my heart give one dreadful leap, and then stoI
so still that | could almost feel the life blool
curdle around it, for that picture WAS the face
of Harry Lysle the very counterpart of the ont
| had in my possession. With trembling hant
| laid it again in its place, and with an aching
heart | left the room. 1t now seemed very
strange to me, that during all Mnnies conver
sltiOn about her lover, had not even though
to enquire his name. One feeble ray of hop
still glimmered before me. light she not by SOM
accident have become the possesSor of this pic
ture, and might not her loved one be anothe
person, after all? fastened TO find my cousin
which had no difficulty in doing; and will
ill-concealed emotions, and with manners NOR
, subdued than usual, | said, "Minuie how
strange, that MS much as we have both talked o
your noble love, neither of us should have
thought of his name"
:" had not even thought Of it but presume
it is because it is such sweet sounding name
that | am very particular who hears it, anC
therefore seldom speak it except when alone 70
] my own particular benefit she aughngly re
| piled.
" But what is it :" eagerly enquired,
t Harry Lysle. Isn't it sweet name? ?" sh
S enquired, raising her sparkling eyes from he
, neeilrwurk and looking into my own. Bu
what is the matter? Dear, dear cousin you ar
/ ill.," said she, noticing the paor of my counter
anee, from which knew, all color was fast re
ceding.
IL certainly am not well" replied, glad t.
hide my deep emotion thus easily. alowe,
her to accompany me to my room, and thel
desired her to leave me. With sweet affection
ate kiss she did So When found was alon
securely locked the eoor, and for one hour in
cessantly walked the floor in the greatest agony
J But not solitary tear escaped me. Ny grie
, was too deep, too terrible for tears. | hat
| placed my trust too deep, never dreaming tina
: there could be power to blight my happy hopes
How often | murmured "Oh if had onl
listened to the warnings of my friendly advisers
l but he seemed all truthlulness to me, and nov
my heart is indeed broken
, And did he love my sweet Minnie, or was h
only leading her trusting heart on to such as
+, piring hopes, soon to be crushed as my own p