The Van Buren press., 1859-09-30

ter. was now on a visit to her she resided
with her aunt, Mrs. Empton. and from her
gay, cheerful disposition, had rendered her
self favorite with every one. of their So
cial circle.
The plot disclosed by Ellery was not en-
tirely revealed by JEANNE to her sister in
law at bed time although she obtained from
her the somewhat reluctant promise of al
lowing her to personate the widow for few
days, the farce beginning next morning with
an excursion planned to the country.
''I do not ask you to fib, sister Juliette,
said the merry girl, ''only not to unmask
me. | wish to tease that young fellow,
somehow or other, for pretty little speech
of his that has come to my ears
But will not lend my aid in the least
if any one will be ilialpd by your frolic,'
said Mrs. Martin.
q beg you not to frighten yourself in the
slightest" returned JEANNE. No one,
assure you, can be harmed.' - ssissY
.'Well, only for few days. Jeannie.-
think, however, you shoul fslet me into
the secret when you take my name
"No! no! bid-a-we said Jeannie-
Il will promise you merry laugh one Of
these days, for its usc."
Thus ended their conversation. The next
morning Ellery came before breakfast, to
beg leave to bring friend to take the fourth
seat in their carriage; which was the more
readily granted, as Mrs. Empton had al
ready started with little Annie Martin and
the essentials to where the picnic was to take
place. Dear old Mrs. Empton she was
certainly the incest woman on earth for
picnic always ready to attend to that most
necessary part, the " eatings;" but, withal
SO leaf, that never a word of any thing did
she hear unless shouted through her ear
trumpet.
About ten of the ladies were awaiting
their beaux. Ellery soon arrived, and oh,
mirabile dtctu! accompanied by Shirley,
whom, by some powerful elaquence, he had
pressed into the service. In the hurry of
setting out, and misled also by Ellery's de-
scripiion, it is not to be wondered at if he
mistook Jeannie for the widow /; while the
girlish-looking blonde answered his own
ideas Of Mrs. Martin. He. therefore, true
to his prejudice, left to Ellery the task of
entertaining her-the widow with the mer-
" "a K eye-while he was himself enjoy
ing the bcwit hing smiles and sweet-toned
waroiing OF his vis-a-ris fair Juliette
81 am sorry that we can only offer you
such poor fare for your first dinner party
with us, Mr.. Shirley" said Jeannie, in her
assumed character, but hearty welcome
and our company is the extent you must ex
pect.'
This, Of course, brought forth polite dis
claimer from the gentleman, and with more
truth than the generality of such speeches,
for in the mile over which they had already
passed, he began to think tho widows sis
ter, at least, was particular interesting At
this crisis, the sudden stoppage of the car
riage, and the hurried exclamation from the
driver of ''Open the door, MIR. Ellery-
quick, please, and let the lauies out !''
showed that something was amiss The
widow screamed, as she clung to Ellery's S
arm and even at the time of danger Shir-
ley could not but admire the calmness of
the beautiful Juliette, for SO he had heard
her called, as she endeavored to socthe her
sister
1t was found that one Of the horses had
got his foot over the trace, and was already
rearing and plunging SO as to make the car
riagt very unsafe. After some trouble thew
succeeded in extricating him but as both
the horses continued very unruly, the la
dies proposed walking to their destination
So forth they set en- route, the widow, pro
ten., on the arm of Ellery. and Juliette fol-
lowing with Shirley, chatting and laugh
ing.
lnsensibly Shirley's conversation with
his fair companion took deeper tone, for
their path led through thick forest. where
the tall, stately trees, like the pillows in
some old hallowed minister, shed their pecu-
liar fragrance on every passing breeze that
swept through the shade. Ellery and his
lady were far ahead. Shirley felt surprised
at himself at this very first interview, at
feeling such a tender sentiment springing
forth from his heart for the fair young crea-
ture leaning so confidently on his arm in the
depth of the forest.
/" How glad l am" soliloquized he, ''that
the widow did not fasten herself on me, in
stead of her enchanting sister for Joking
aside, they are always so exacting, and by
no means dependent There is certainly an
exquisite charm in The timid reserve of this
fair Juliet. Methinks shall begin to play
Romeo in every truth for / wish even now
that might be glove upon that hand, SO
that could kiss her cheek"
And Juliette, to judge from the bright
sniiles dimpling her soft checks, and the in.
teresting look which she turned upon his
face ever and anon, was equally we'll pleas
ed with her escort. What delightful lis
tener he found her He felt so pleased with
her-with himself-with the whole world
when they arrived at their destination, tina,
Shirley was ready to declare it a perfect Par.
adise, and felt himself tempted to utter some
such nonsensical speech to her, so entirely
bewitched was he by the charm of her man
ner.
in fact. woman-hater, as his friend styled
him, there was not a more susceptible be-
inY on eartn han this same retiring young
man so he played the game .to their owr
hands to marvel. They found Mrs. Emp
ton g on hospitable thoughts intent" busy
in setting out to the best advantage theil
dinner while near them lay the little cher
ub Annie fast asleep. Shirley the mort
readily answered the question, 81 Did yol
ever see such little beauty ?'' from its
supposed mother, as he imagined he detec.
ted a striking resemblance to Juliette, wht
was kneeling to kiss the soft lips of tn.
4