M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1859-02-03

counter those smiling eyes fixed upon
me, and their open, unsuspicious gaze
decided me. 81 will not trouble or
distress her, by any knowledge OF her
position" | concluded, "but viii Just
do my best to fill the place of the in
dividual she took me for, and conduct
her wherever she wishes to go, if
can only find where it isl" | turned
to her with an atiectation of friendly
case | was very far from feeling, and
said, at is long journey, Miss Flor
cnce."
"Do you think so? But it is very
pleasant, isn't it? Cousin Jenny en-.
joyed it SO much."
"Ah, indced!'
"Why, what a Gucer man!' she
said, with a little laugh. "Docs she
never tell you, rs she does me in all
her letters, how happy she is, and that
st. Louis is the sweetest place in the
world to live in? Dear ne ! that |
should have to tell her own husband
first. How we shall laugh about it
when get there"
So it was to St. Louis we were 60
ing, and was her cousin Jcnny's hu5-
band. | never was so thankful for
two pieces of information in my life.
"And how does dear jennie look!
and what is she doing! and how is my
dear Aunt Beman! do tell mo the
news.o
"Jcnnic," said |, mastering cour.
age and words, sis tho dearest little
wife IN the world, you must know,
only far too fond Of her scamp Of Il
huSband-as to her locks, you can't
expect me to say anything, ior she al
ways looks lovely to me-"
"Brayo!" said the pretty girl, with
q malicious little smile; "but about
my dear aunty'S rheumatism"
"Aliss, | mean Of course, Mrs. BE.
man, is very well"
"Well!" said my fair qucstioncr,
regarding me with surprise, 81 tho't
she hadn't been well for years.
81 mean well for her." said |, in
some trepidation; "tho air of St. Lou
is (Which | have since found is of the
miSty-moisty order) has done her
world Of good. She is quite a differ
ent woman"
81 am very gIod," said her niece.
She remained silent for few min.
utcs, and then a CLEAN Of amusement
began to dance in her bright eyes.
ITO think" said she, suddenly tur
ming to me with u musical laugh,
that, in all this time, you haven't
the baby"
| hnoao | gave a violent start, and |
think | turned pale. After had run
the gauntlet of all these questions
triumphantly, as | thought, this new
danger stared me in the face. How
was / ever to describe a baby, who
had never noticed one? My courage
sank below zero, but in some proper
to-. the blood rose to my face, and |
think my teeth fairly chartered in my
head.
"Don't be afraid that | shall not
sympathize in your raptures," con-
tinucd my tormentor, as | almost con-
sidored her. "Eam quite prepared to
believe anything after Jonny'5 letter
you should see how she cares about
him"
"Him!" Blessed be goodness; then
it must be boy! |
"Of course" said |, blushing and
stammering, bnt feeling it imperative
to say something, "we consider him
the finest fellow in the world; but you
might not agree with us, and in order
to leave your Judgment unbiased, /
won't describe him to YOU"
"Ah! but | know just how lie looks,
for Jennie had no such sample--so
you may spare yourself the trouble or
happiness, whichever it is--but tell
me what you mean to call him"
1--WE have not decided upon a
name"
"Indecdl thought she meant to
give him yours!"
"Tho deuce she did," thought l.
"No; one of a name is enough in q
family" [ answered.
The demon of inquisitivoness, that,
to my thinking, had instigated my
fair companion, heretofore, now ceased
to possess her, for we talked of vari-
ous. indifferent things, and | had the
relief of not being compelled to draw
on my imagination at the expense Of
my conscience, when | gave the par
ticulars of my recent journey from
Boston. Yet was far from feeling
at ease, for every sound Of her voice
startled me with a dread of fresh
questions, necessary, but impossible
to be answered, and | felt a guilty
flush stealing up my temples, every
time | met the look of those beautiful
blue eyes.
1t was late when we stopped for
simmer. and soon after | saw the dark