Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-11-10

ways checked any demonstration Of his tru'
feeling: then told him. continued my aun
: that it was for him 10 take the initiative il
a courtship.' -.
Il was sick al Eeart, and escaped, as 500,
as possible, from the room, on some house
keeping excuse. understood the matter
clearly enous h; Josiah saw how deeply m,
aunt had set her heart on our marriage, and
he had resolved, for his own interest not tc
be the person to ihwart her.
my persecution began from that day.
was to be taught to like Josiah Wilson,
NY aunt devised all sorts of plans for fore.
ing US together; he Used constantly to bring
me home presents from the city, jewelry
bouquets. aud the like, which ] was forced
to accept. My aunt frequently told her
friends that we were very much attached to
each other. and that she supposed. one day
or other, we should ask her consent to our
union. My greatest distress was to see how
p;quid and angry Edward, Mr.. Huntly, was
at the attentions received from my cousin
he evidently thought was on the point Of
being engaged. My lips were sealed; it
was impossible for me to give him any indi.
cation of my re al feeliegs. Josiah was al
ways at my side, paying me the most as
siduous court.
AFTER short time Josiah made me an
offer, and | refused him without hesitation.
] was certainly astonished by the warmth
with which he pressed his suit, for had
fancied he was only acting out Of compli-
ance with my sunt's wishes. He begged
and prayed that would n. pronounce an
ultimate decision: he had perhaps been rath-
er premature in his declarations; he only
asked further time to prove the sincerity of
his love He wsuid take no refusal, and
we parted.
AS might be imagined, my aunt, was very
angry vt my conduct; she expostuated
earnestly with me, and, in order to show
how deeply she had the matter at heart, she
detailed to me the plans she had formed for
our future mode Of lite. We were to live
| with het; at her dealh, she would bequea tn
US all her property; and on the day Of our
engagement. she intended to present us
each with FIVE thousand pounds.
i was PLACED in most delicate position:
was wholly dependent on my aunt; had
/ Lot single relation in the world who could
help me; Mr. Huntly, as was natural under
the circumstances, had ceased to pay me
any attention.
Things took the course feared; my
aunt, finding that her arguments in Josiah's
faxor were unavailing. had recourse to
threats; she reminded me that the disobe-
dience was wholly on my side: she declared
that il would be the worse for me il | per-
sistld in my -ra.paal; and she concluded q
very painful conversation by iiesiring me to
! give her my final decision after the dinner
party to which We were going on the fol-
lowing evening; in the meanwhile, l was to
think over the matter well.
When she ceased speaking. my aunt re-
collected she had left the book she was read.
ing in the summer-house, near the end of
the garden: she was about to ring for the
servant to fetch it; said would go instead
of her.. 1t was a lovely summer night, and
the cool air was very refreshing after the
excitement had gone through.
Il found the book IE the summer-house
but / did not return immediately, the in
tense calm of the night was SO delightful
was in strange condition, half musing
half crying, when heard voices behind the
summer house. felt frightened, and drew
back into the shade. Listening very iuten!ly
| could distinguish my Cousins voice, ther
another voce-a woman's-my aunt's maid
Lucy! To my utter -amaznmonf- hcars
him ask the girl to meet him at that spot OF
: the following evening, after We returned
home from the party. 1t was nv cousin
; VOICE. was certain of that. They passe,
away. This was the excellent man m,
aunt wanted me 10 marry! was quite over
e come with anger and Indignation. | Woul'
e denounce his conduct at once! When ha'
= sufficiently recovered myself, hurried bacl
to house; my aunt was not in the drawing
Il room. had time for reflection. How di
l matters stand! Why, only my word agains
c his! OF curse. the girl would deny every
= thing; his word from childhood had alway
been preferred TO mine; my aunt. at most
would believe had mistaken the voice.
Il resolved to hold my peace till the FOL
4 lowing evening. What night and day c
d citation passed. Not one word did m
IT aunt say about Josiah during the next day
: but her manner vas all Kindness toward mt
IS sThe dinner-paJty was to be very gran
r affair; and my aunt, as was usual on sue
v, occasions, wore her diamonds.
'e You may imagine how little I enjoye
" myself seated next my cousin. Mrs. Hun
y iy, Edwards mother, was at the party, ar
Il | could see she watched US very intently.
g 1t happened after dinner, before ii
as gentlemen came up. that. Mrs. Huntly ar
10 myself were left alone together in one I
IS the sdrawing-roouls. She addressed IN
NJ and laughinsIy said she supposed she wou
Il soon have The pleasure of congra;uIatir
s me on my engagement with my counsin.
10 longed to speak out to her, TO tell her how
as dis.iked my cousin, and loved her son, but
dared not strove to say something; n
er tongue was powerless; burst into flo
M Of tears. Fortunately, | recovered mys'
IN before my aunt caught sight of me.
ng I'VE left the party at about eleven {
clock. As soon as We got home, my au
as bade Josiah good night. retired to'her dres
ne ing room, and sent for her maid. VIII
nv aunt wore her diamonds, it was t
I'm custom for me to take them from her dres
Try ing.room. and put them away, and they we