Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1860-11-03

was when they parted. ~ ,....
Just like Mary, Mr. Graham exclsim m
ed, "she wants to astonish me by he
blooming appearances How fortunate tha
! also am not changed much for the worse
Only 2 triae more portly--but that is a,
improvement" ,rg>
The next day he prepared for the inter
view with as mach care as in days before
when be vas about to enter Mary's pre-
sencs, He sought the residsnce where
she was visiting; she was said to be in
and with an agitated feeling, which, how.
ever, was not in Tx least perceptible, b.
awaited her appearance A rus,ling Of
silk in the hall, caused the truaut blood
to stain his cheek slightly, and with all
his boyish feelings and hopes triumphant,
he sprang to his feet, and with a " Dear
Mary rushes to'a lady just as she ente.-
ed. His arms almost encircled the form
Of middle aged looking person, with a
good natursd and rather rubicund coun
tenance, and with q start, he apologized
for his mistake i I'd .. rs e.. . -
"A mistake I think not, that Is, if
you are Alfred Graham, as I know you
are. for you have altered but very little
How glad | am to see you, and oifnd you
equally glad knew the change in my
appearance would not affect you, Alfred,
and your kind note proved it,
Alfred was grievously disappointed, but
ne FASTENED to say, "Oh, no, no, butt
thought | met You yesterday; I could
have said it was you; but, really-I must
have been mistaken
Yes. suppose she looked some twen.
ty years younger and fresher than am.
Well, Alfred, that must have been my
dau ghter?' ..r., ., -
Have you daughter p go
Yes, one, my pretty Madeline. She is
Just seventeen, and AS sweet creature as
you ever saw. She is said to look very
much as ! did at her age. She is busy
this afternoon with her stndies; we shall
probably be in town through the winter,
Nsnd l wish her in the meantime to attend
school. You shall see her by-and bye" I"
Mrs. Merton, though not so charming
in appearance as formerly, still retained her
vivacity and fascinations in conversation
and the hour spent with her was a most
agreeable one. Madeline however did not
make her appearance. The next day he
was again found there; something be
knew not what, drew him to.the house
Could his old love have re 'iyed in truth L?
1t seemed hardly possible. Both ladies
were at home he almost started as be
gazed at the fair being on the sofa, and
g!ancing from her to the mother, he found
the contrast was great indeed. They were
not alone, however; a gentleman was with
them, who was introduced to her {. old
friend as the Hon. Mr.. Harsrave. He.
however, did not take much part in the
conversation, which related chiefly to old
times. He withdrew to Madelinss S side.
She seemed occupied with her books, and
bending over her, he assisted her. Mr..
Graham did not omit to notice this, and
although he was as ready to converse, as
was the valuable Mrs Merton, yet he gax.
ed often and long at the lovely Madeline.
He whispered to himself that he was not.
ing her resemblance to the Mary of other
days, but did not look upon her with as
much, If not more, delight than he ever
did on her mother. And when he met the
gaze of those deep, blue eyes, did he not
feel all those weighty resolves in regard
to womanhood fast melting away? The
proximity of Mr.. Iargravs did not trouble
him much-but then he remem bered that
the honorable gentleman was no older
than he-that was rather an unpleasant
thought why, he did no. seek to know.
Mr.. Graham was constant in his atten-
dance on the Merton's for the mex, few
weeks and each time that he left them, it
was only to find immediate excuse for a
speedy return. He entertained for
Mrs. Merton feelings of the purest
friendship; no love for her remained.
In vain he searched for it; it was gone.
and he did not believe that she was over
whelmned with any such sentiment for
him. He hoped he felt kindly, tender,
fatherly regard for Madeline Merton; it
was certainly most kindly and tender, but
as for the latherly part of it, he felt rather
perplexed Certainly, he could not be in |
her presence long without feeling interest |
ed in her, but that Mr.. Hargraye" was
always on hand He wondered if he |
played the part of tutor to such good ad-
vantage when he was not present He
very strangely felt considerable curiosity
in this respect, and he determined to
speak to Mrs. Merton on the subject; but
when an opportunity offered, somehow the
words did not seem to form themselves so
Freely as they usually did. One day, how
,ver, he was successful. He was alone
with Mrs. Merton; Madeline and Hargrays
we're out riding. ' IL ''' .
Mr. Hargrave seems much interested
your daughter he commenced. .'''z
es, he does seem pleased with her.
2he returns it freely II is most graf
to me that it is So
has quite supervision over her