The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-12-31
COUSIN JONATHAN.
BY CORA LYNN.

Before bright hre, in a handsomel
furnished drawing room, two persons stoo'
one evening" young and very lovely girl
with a merry glance and smile. She wa
dressed in something soft and white, tha
foated round her like mist; and in he
. nut brown hair nestled half blown rose.
Her companion was a man, past the prim
of young manhood; and, perhaps, the frs
impression his appearance gave was that o
I awkwardness only. Short and ungr acefully
yet powerfully made, with features fal
from regular, it would be difficult to de
scribe him as other than a plain man, O.
some fve-and-forty years Of age. Yet h
had one charm-a voice of wonderful rich
ness and depth soft and gentle, too, theI
speaking to his fair companion.
81 hope you will enjoy it as much as yot
expect, Alice.'
81 hope shall; but, cousin, why are yor
not going with US p"
"You will not miss me, and have letter.
to write this evening. Besides, what should
an old fellow like me do at ball ?"
Alice turned round and gave him very
saucy little look out of her brown eyes.
"What silly thing you are, cousin Jona,
than"
At that moment tall, hearty-looking
gentleman entered the room, evidently
enjoying some joke, much to his own sat
isfaction. He carried a parcel in his
hand.
"See, Miss Alice, here's queer sort Of
a thing come for you. Can you imagine
what it is? Pm sure can't.
She unfolded the silver paper, and brought
to light an exquisite bouquet of hot-house
flowers.
sob, how lovely how very lovely! But
who can have sent them %
She glanced at her cousin as she spoke,
laughing.
"Not Jonathan, Pm sure" said her father;
"he's old enough to have more sense.'
"Did you send them 90 persisted Alice,
moving nearer to him, her voice faltering a
little.
w! no. Isit likely? See, here is a card
in the paper"
She took it up and read aloud: "With
Captain Rays compliments"
''Very polite-very proper-very kind"
said her father, rubbing her hands-"very
much SO indeed.'
Cousin Jonathan moved away.
Mr.. Braybrook took his daughters hand,
and turning her deliberately around, e1-
amined her with great apparent satisfac-
| ton.
Not amiss is it Jonathan ?" said he
| appealing to their quiet companion.
That gentleman was reading letter, and /,
looking up for moment, replied -"Certain-
ly not, sir"
He bent over the paper again, but any
one near might have seen it tremble in his
hand.
Alice grew very rosy, and drew up her
slender figure to its full height
'.Pray, papa, don't ask Mr.. Waring to
admire poor me: you disturb him from his
letter and, besides s-I-I'm sure it doesn't
i don't
"My opinion can be of no value, know"
said her COUSIN, with another glance from
his occupation.
"Never mind him, Puss," added Mr..
Braybrook, as he thought he saw AIice's
! lip culver; 'these old bachelors always are
cross and iIi-tempered."
"The carriage is at the door," cried the
footman, entering very opportunely.
Mr.. Braybrook left the room, and Alice's
maid came in with a warm cloak Of white
and cherry colored silk.
"Good night,'' said the h,tle lady. Tuen
this charming affair was properly put on,
and black lace veil vas thrown over her
head.
Mr.. Warins looked up. She stood beside
him, holding out tiny white gloved hand.
| He took it, saying-"Good night; | hope
your first BALI will be merry one, Alice. !"
/ The hand fingered in his.
/ elf you were only coming, Cousin Jona-
/ than-''
lie interrupted quickly, and almost harsh
y.
''But I'm not, so good night"
| She went away silently, but turning at the
door to say "Good night" once more, he
/ fancied he saw tears glistening through the
shadowy black veil over her face.
! He started to his feet; but a thought
seemed to strike him, and he sat down to
his papers again, muttcring-"She'l make
me make fool of myself, whether | will
or no, with that voice and those pleading
eyes. Pshaw a man at my age-ridlcu-
lousr' And on went his pen faster than
ever.
Hour after hour passed on, and still he
was busilv at work. One-~two-three
! o'clock struck. There WAS a sound of hustle
in the hall below. He heard AIice's clcnr,
ringing laugh-that laugh that was like no
other. lie heard Mr.. Braybrook's hearty
They came up stairs-Alice, her father,
and tall, elegant looking young man in
uniform.
"Mr. Waring, Captain Ray" said Mr.
Braybrook and then the three began to
talk over the ball, and apparently forgot the
very existence Of the writer at the sofa
table.
Jonathan Warnings heart grew full of
II,
him pale, and with compressed lips.
Her eye grew brighter, her laugh more
joyous; Captain Ray thought her each mo-
ment more and more lovely.
Refreshments were brought in, and soon
after the Captain took leave-not, however,
before he had promised to call on the NOR
row, and bring Alice book he felt quite
sure she would like.
"I am sorry you sat up for us,' said
Alice, as Mr.. Waring was leaving the room,
letters in hand; "you look quite tired out"
"Thank you, but do not feel 500
"It must have been a long, lonely evening
for you"
"Not at all; was too busy to find it
either. Good night.'
"Good night, cousin. How do you like
Captain Ray?"
81 think he is very elegant man.
$50 do | ; very fascinating, too"
81 can well fancy it,"
"Good night"
She ran up the stairs halfway, then turn
ed and ran down to him again.
"Cousin Jonathan, will you tell me if you
think looked nice tonight? Really,
mean-
"To me you looked just as usual"
swell, many people told me H."
s'Looked lovely, no doubt; and as plenty
of others told you SO, there is all the les,
need for me to do it. Now, good night.
GO up stairs; you will be quite tired out to
morrow il you do not"
Alice when in her own room, wept bit