The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-10-11
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
"she is fair young creature,
With soft and gentle air;
With dark eyes bright and loving
And sunny silken hair"
When the carriage which contained Mr..
Menard and his orphan neice stopped at
the door of bis dwelling, his wife and
daughter came out to meet them. Va
lesia's Welcome was warm and she felt al.
most happy the first day she was there
Georgianna Menard was year older than
Valesia, but stranger to see them both
would have said she was at least three or
four years her senior.
Valesia soon ceased to pine for her ear
ly dwelling place. Mrs. Menard was ex-
ceedingly fond Of her, and harsh Word
the child never heard from her lips. Her
Uncle George petted and spoiled her, if
anything, more than he did Georgiauna;
he always called her Siny, and the dear
est thing in the world was that pet name
to her. Persons all said, and they said it
with truth, that there were but few Or
pban children who found such home.
Old father Time had set the stamp of
nine years upon the inmates Of Mr., Me-
nards dwelling. Shades of night had
closed round the earth, and distant object
were scarcely visible in the gloom that
surrounded Oakdale. A light was burn
ing brilliantly in the ball, and its rays
fell upon two persons standing on the
porch.
One d lady, was much below the me.
dium hight, with dark, almost swartby
complexion, chestnut hair, braided smooth
| ly back from her brow, aud dark hazel
eyes, which spoke much palmer than
words could have done. Valesia Mensrds
was stll her upcles Siny, she kept the
character Of the family well, but in mind
and intellect she was all and even more
than her childhood had given promise of.
Her companion was young man OF
noble mien; lie was gazing fondly upon
the little being at his side, and she with
look of love and trust beamiDg from her
soft eyes. was listening to the words be
was speaking low and soft.
Roland Haywood way young merchant
He had met the owners of Oakdale, with
their daughter and neice the summer be-
fore at the Spring. He had been since
then constant visitor at Oakdale, and
had now won from the gentle Valesia Q
a promise to be his wife.
At the parlor window was one who
overheard their conversation with any
thing but pleasant feelings; Georglannf
was very beautiful she was :all and state
ly in her bearing, as light and graceful
as a nymph, and her voice was sweete
than nightingale's Ter complexion
was white as alsbster, the rich glow o
health tinged her cheek, her eyes were o
darkest blue, and her soft, golden brow
hair fell in ripping ringlets. ! round her necl
She had tried her utmost 10 win Rolant
Haywood, and great was her anger anC
astonishment, when on that night sh
heard him Offer his heart and hand to he
cousin Valesia. How could he choos
her. She had no pretension to beauty
she was intelligent and lively, the yer.
best of company, she could play upon tn
, piano very well, but could not touch tn
keys with the master hand of Georgianna
vet when numerating the things whicl
Valesia could not do, .Georgianna neve
for a moment thought that her singin!
: would not be so grand, without her cous
in's rich full alto.
Georgianna had loved Valesia with
sisters fondness, until Roland Haywoo,
showed bis preference for her, and now a
! she listened 10 the words Of love he wa
! softly breathing to her. she vowed tha
Valesia Meuard never should be the wifi
Of Roland Haywood.
t Georgiauna was in her room when Va
lesia entered. .,,... ...
Have you been her all the evenin
y Georgie?' asked Valesia.
! As Georgianna looked up she met Va
Iesia's eyes and in them read which sh
? had overheard.
mo, l was down stairs for while,
y. she replied. Ia.
{ "Oh, George, what do you thlnk!
exclaimed Vslesia.
q II think great many things; what
4 it in particular you wish me TO know?
o asked Georgianna.
valesia could not feel her happiness ur
. til Georgianna shared it; she told her G
the happiness in store for her, and nove
# suspected that while her cousin spoke i
\ tones of love, she was plotting how
a destroy her new found Bliss.
/. Angils lowered round the head OF VI
lesia that night but the sleep OF Georgian
q ma was as troubled as that of Eve whe
/ the willy serpent whispered in her ear.
d CHAPTER III.
@ "when will the morning dawn And yetto ~,
n What can avail the dRwniDg? Desolate,
n Deserted, and bereft of every stay;
:" Victim Of falsehood, Il eacnery and fraud,
D with many q bitter pain and bitter woe,
% pass the weary hours"
Although Georgianna was so very beat
e tiful she was not admired as much as VI
70 lesia. Besides Roland there was anotl
n er young man who visited 0akdale col
l. stantly. Norris Parker.
= There was a little company Of ladi'
10 and gentlemen at 0akdale. Roland an