The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-07-22

this time you havn't mentioned the baby."
| knOW | gave a violent start, and /
think turned pale. After had run the
gauntlet of all these questions triumph
antly, as thought, this new danger stared
me in the face. How was l ever to de-
scribe baby, who had never poticed one?
My courage sank below zero, but in same
proportion the blood rose to my face, and
[ think my teeth fairly chattered in my
head.
"Don't be afraid that l shall not sympa-
thise in your raptures,' continued my tor
mentor, as | almost considered her. II am
quite prepared to believe anything after
Jenny's% letter-you should see how she
cares about him.
"Him! Blessed be goodness; then it
must be boy"
"Of course" said I blushing and stam-
mering. but 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"
"Ahl but know just how he looks, for
Jennie had no such sample-so you may
spare yourself the trouble or happiness,
whichever it is-but tell me what you in
tend to call him2"
owe have not decided upon a name"
"1ndeed! l thought she meant to give
him yours!!''
''The duce she did" thought l. mo;
one of name is enough in a family" |
answered.
The demon of inquisitiveness, that, to
my thinking, had instigated my fair COM
panion, heretofore, now ceased to possess
her, for we talked of various Indifferent
things, and l had the relief of not being
compelled to draw my imagination at the
expense of my conscience, when | gave the
particulars of my recent journey from Bos-
ton. Yet / was very far from feeling at
ease, for every sound of her voice startled
me with dread of fresh questions, neces-
sary, but impossible to be answered, and [
felt guilty flush stealing up my temples,
every time | met the look of those beauti-
full blue eyes.
1t was late when we stopped for supper,
and soon after | saw the dark fringes of
my companions eyes droop long and often
and began to realize that she ought to be
asleep. | knew very well that it WAS my
duty to offer her a resting place on my
shoulder, but hardly had courage enough
to ask that innocent face to lie On my arm,
which was not, as she thought it, that of a
cousin and married man. Recollecting,
however, that it was my duty to make her
comfortable, and that | could scarcely de-
ceive her more than l had already done,
l proffered her the usual civility. She
slightly blushed, but thanked me, and ac-
cepted it by leaning her head lightly on
my shoulder and looking up into my eyes
with a smile. Gas you are nv cousin"
she said. Soon after, her eyes closed, and
she slept sweetly and calmly, as if resting
in security and peace. looked down at
the beautiful face, slightly paled with fa-
tigue, that rested against me, and felt like
a villain. | dared not touch her with my
arm, although the bounding of the cars
jostled her very much, but sat remorseless
until the sleeper settled the matter by slip
ping forward and awaking. She opened
her eyes instantly, and smiled. 1T is of
no use for me to try to sleep with my bon
net on" she said" for it is very much in
the way for me, and am sure it troubles
YOU" So she removed it, giving me the
pretty little toy, with its graceful ribbons,
and flowers, to put on the rack above u.s.
l preferred to hold it, telling her it would
be safer with me, and after few obec-
tons, she resigned it, being in truth, too
sleepy to contest the point; then tying the
blue silk veil over her glossy hair she lean
ed against my shoulder and slept again
This time, when the motion began to
shake and annoy her, | stiled the re-
proaches of my conscience, and passing
my arm lightly round that slender waist,
drew her head upon my breast, where it
lay all night. She slept the sleep of inno-
cence, serene and peaceful, but it is need
less to say that | could not close my eyes
or quiet my conscience. | could only
gaze down on that beautiful, still face, and
imagine how it would spring up and con-
front me, if she knew what was, and how
| had deceived her. ordreaming more wild
ly still, reproduce it in hundred scenes.
which | had never before paused to imag-
inc, as the face of my rife. | had never
loved, unless the butterfly loves ofmy sum-
mer sojourns at Newport or Saratoga
might be so digniied, and still less had
ever dreamed or thought of marrying,
even as possible and far off contingency
Never before solemnly aver, had | seen
the woman whom l wished to make nv
wife-never before, had So longed to call
anything my own, as | did that lovely
face lying on my heart. No; | could not
sleep.
In the morning we reached Buffalo, and
spent the day at Niagara If | had tho't
her lovely while sleeping, what was she.
when the light of feeling and expression
played over her face, as she eloauently
admired the scene before US, or was even
more eloquent still. don't think look
ed at the Cataract as much as at her, ol
thought the one creation more beautiful
J and wonderful than the other.
She was now quite familiar with me, IL
! her innocent and charming way, calling
me cousin Frank" and seeming to tax;
certain pleasure in my society and pro
lection. Itw delightful to be greeted
so gladly by her when entered the hote
parIor, to have her come forward SO quick
1v from the lonely seat where she had beer