Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-05-13

there vas SO much gossiping to do. Marie
and Jennie were to be married the ensu:r
winter; Grace had lover, who, accordir
to her account, was much superior to h'
interded brothers We were SO happy tn.
l forgot my sad thoughts. Ada, sweet gi
that ste was, found time 20 write frequen
ly.
Marion's lover was wealthy farmer, II
siding in their vicinity, so she saw hil
every day; and shortly after my arrival tn
others came to spend short time. Jenni
was perfectly happy; and in this, as in a
other cases, | was made participator.
One day she received letter that, for
moment clouded her usually sunny brow
Marion inquired if there were bad tidings
''Not exactly" she replied slowly. alt
from Cousin Hugh; he is coming to visi
u.s."
Sand you are troubled what to do wit
him when you have a lover of your own t
attend to-" Marion rejoined.
81 should enjoy his visit better at an
other time" was the answer.
There was pause; then suddenly Jenni
started up, her arch face full of laughin,
mischief, exclaiming.
al have it, girls--a capital plan--Cousir
Hugh shall fall iu love with May; just thinl
how nice it will be to have her for
cousin"
"Perhaps May don't choose to be bar
gained off SO unceremon iously," Grace seid
"She may not like Hugh as well as you do. >
"No~ if it was only Percy! You mus
know, MAY, that Cousin Hugh has quite
fortune. and is rising lawyer. He i.
afiectionate, and thoroughly good, but hi:
twin brother, Percy, ran away with al the
family beauty, and is rambling up and dowr
the world, no one knows where; but il
Hugh is plain looking you can't help liking
him.
So they settled it that Hugh and should
fail in love with each other. / did feel in.
terested, though had not the vanity to
suppose could interest him. But when
he came, his frank, cordial manner pleased
me at once. He was not at all handsome
yet thought he compared favorably with
the other gentlemen.
Does any event happen ever as it is
planned! Very rarely, ! think; yet in this
instance the course affairs took pleased
every one. Whether it was that Hugh
Wilton liked me, or suffered himself to
drift uncensciously toward the haven to
which the others were sailing, could not
tell; but tender aud love-lke he certainly
was. He gathered the choicest fruit and
flowers for me, read to me when was
weary Of walking, lifted me tenderly over
little streams and damp places, and exer-
cised q watchful care that was exceedingly
pleasant. We had such delightful conver-
satiaps..te I.did not feel afraid 10 tell him
my thoughts. as Jennie said he was SO good.
said liked him--I dared say no more.
Sometimes dream, wilder than any | had
ever cherished, rested, for moment, in my
heart, and | would shut my eyes until
thought and hope fingered fondly over it.;
then, by a strong effort, l wouls leave the
absorbing fancy and come TO real life. All,
those were strange days when the sunshine
lay at my feet, an1 dared not let it warm
my heart. When he met some one, hand
some, and withal winning as my sister
Ada, alas! how soon would he forget me.
That visit seemed whole lifetime to
me; long, delicious days filled with every
Joy heart could desire; then came the part
ing. He was to take journey some dis
ta,.ce beyond my brothers., and therefore
accompanied me. Jennie was delighted
with the apparent success of her plan
Hugh and we're to stand with her when
she was married; "And then you will 60
home engaged" she said, joyiully.
The journey with Hugh was pleasant
one. He was looking forward to the time
when he should visit me at home, very soon
after my return, he thought, as his bust
ness would detain him but short time,
and he gave me to my brother at the rail-
way station. Was there deeper mean
ing in his parting words than was appar-
ent! l thought SO then.-
When Arthur asked me about Hugh, my
heart beat tumultuously, and l could feel
the color come and 60 in my face until I
feared betrayed my agitation: but he was
so intent on telling me how mother had
enjoyed her visit, and how the children had
improved, that | gained courage, feeling
ny precious secret was safe.
After while mother and went to pre-
pare for Ada's return. She came looking
oyelier than ever and with a self-posses-
sion fairly regal; vet she lost none of her
sweetness and truth. Aunt Wheedon was
with her. and predicted bril-
liant future. charging her over and ever
again not TO spoil it By marrying poor
nan.
1t was not until she left us that Ada and
had chance to talk as we desired. Then
The told me how well she had enjoyed every
ming; how happy she had been meeting so
many pleasant people, and mingling in such
gay scenes, having lovers to praise one and
crafty the slightest wish; but. after all
"Well!" said, interrogatively.
81 don't think should ever meet any
one there that could love as much as
want to when marry. The people seem
we'll enough for company, but think they
lack heart. want some one deep, fer
vent and tender, strong of mind and will,
who can love me and yet retain his own
ind iduaiity. I've been thinking, May, if
it is possible ever 10 meet such a person.
Perhaps, after all, have Greamed;" and
she sighed little, thought.
Hugh Wilton wa, such person.
For weeks after Ada's return We were
very gay. Every evening there was COM
pany, and parties without number, filled in
with walks and drives. Ada was certainly