Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-03-08
~; ynteresting Galt,
From Harper's Magazine.
MY "INTIMATE ENEMY


on pleasure-tour and leaving me sole oc-
weeks. 1t was not often could be so en-
tirely alone. Vul tu .. 20 a
opened tho windows TO let in the June
sky, which had grown calm in assured pos
session of the day after the happy futter OF
sunrise, and sank into an armchair to think.
or dream, or sleep, just as it chanced, but
certainly to enjoy. could fuintly hear the
whir Of the domestic machinery in the 9TH.
er part of the house, but no whee nor band
connected il with my deserted tenement;
| hadn't got to oil them to keep them going,
nor look out lest my fingers got ground off.
There was nothing in the wide world for
me to DO but to entertain my company--and
such company. ... H.a ,... u. ....
They were there from the bissful skies,
as though last nights stars had put on the
invisible glove and dropped to see what
was about, but betrayed by their divine still
ness; they fuitered out from the beautiful
elm that seemed scarce 10 know w ether TO
be tree or a vine, shooting up very proud
and grand away from The mon!earth, Then
yearn,ng back again with uemulous, pen
dent branches; they came from the air that
was like presense; from the books that
contained the aItar Of SO many souls with
in their weird brown covers; from The living
breathing roses all throbbing and crimson,
and the roiceless japonicas pallid with sup
pressed fragrance; from the birds that we're
singing a Gloria, and the winds that we're
faltering Kyrie; from every thing animste
and inanimnte save and except Berlhu Mills,
my "lntima;e enemy" who stood within
the doorway presently, ex,inguishing the
morning. % n.ae r.H H,p brr .-..
"My darling Marian!' ..ar 81. ..' ..s
Wal she is kissing me and caressing my
htir with her small fingers, let me sive
short pen-and-ink sketch of her. mentally
holding her at arm's-englh, and pinching
her somewhat in my grasp. She is very
pretty, undoubtedly, with a small, we'll
formed figure; an abundant flow of Haxen
curls oil over her neck and bosom;l dimple
colorlcss cheeks; a pair Of pale-blue eyes,
which do not often meet yours in uncon-
scious frankness; broken, ilL,empered eye
brows; u mouth almost offensive y full, but
hidiug the pret,iest of teeth; nose beau
titul enough TO put in marble; and a voice
OF velvet when she chooses. Add to this,
my Cous.n1Bertha is no foui The girl is
selfish aid ,reschrrous, know, holding her
on so and looking through her. She is not
capable of single act of pure, disinterest-
ed friendship, though there is sort OF
warmth somewhere in her ma urea warmth
that wi scorch what it touches. But why
should blame her for being incapable Of
living or dying for friend! II that i'm
mortal stream that starts Westward from
the Ontario were coaxed and lrittered away
into all the dear little brook-channe's, and
sweet pools, and charming fish-ponds. we
would scarce wonder at missing the head
long thunder of Niagara. And 50, II some
internal system Of pipes converts all my
Cousin Bsrlhh's embryo affections into gas
before they have time to condense into sen
timents and acts, it isn't her fuult surely -
And we ure exceedingly intimate; call each
other my dear my love- md all the swee,
little hypocrtica1 ,mes women use to each
other; write charming little notes, and dress
alike, though am brown and she fair;
Bertha wil-she has no taste, the girl
though she manages to look we'll in al my
brow sand crimsons, and flame. colors.
Well. on that June day embraced her
with slight scringe, and, seating her in
my armchair threw myself down upon the
floor, out Of reach Of her arms, with my
hands clasped around my knees. -
''My sweet MariaRp she said; how will
yon live here alone! ] can't comprehend
What will you dor putting such q look o.
pity ,ihlo her face as made me want to bo,
her ears. s'hr. sr '&df :. rq..rfl,a-
o Bertha Mills, If you dare to. pity me
aliss-'ua Hrrrf'a 80 '' f-5im a.t 'ri'
mot for words, Regina! but what will
you doP s>g3 sia n4tH itH.I .u nrp.
70 'Oh, curl my hair y sEd pinch my cheeks
and practice attitudes. / eau sink into ,
chair almost as gracefully as you. See!'
How absurd! but won't you be afraid o
nightsp -r4, 70 's'. rr.ar..rr ro,,is ?
No. am not besuliful enough totemp
desperate and despair ng lovers, nor ricl
enough to stand Cor lie) in danger Of burg
lars, nvr wicked enough to fear the devil il
, full canonicals; and like, to be alone, an
lit please you 'i-s ia Wpl rs nj siiqy. ltf y .
Ut doesn't please me now, you quee
4 thing! I've come in full OF news and dom
mean to go ill Eve impaired. The nev
minister, long looked for but come at last
was al ourshouse yesterday, and SUCH
Short sentences, IL you please. and n
!. rbapsodies. 50. sss ei. s.asuIN
\ S'Wcn. he's s bachelor, and charming!--
!, Papa spoke Of you-you're,one Of his hob
bies. you know--and MIR Lynde, that's hi
1, name, proposed calling So you need. NO
i be. surprised to find yourself invaded atan
e moment by this general of the"chGrch mi
|, itant. He's the most delightful singer, deal
. We sung Though the sinner and ever s
V many pieces syesterdav.'C(Y NJ gshs
!. En'leshall be very happy to see him.
: Nc OH yeu shall! y texpecta you'll talk hil
= into believing youia'sain,, with, that swes
J tongue of yours; you naughty coquei,e!
ID "Bertha Mills! ifnyou ever call me CT
que,te again Pll--I'll csptiyate 1.-THE FRI
% man you'fali in loveiwith.'r smrs sAi
8 III you can!' she laughed sancily bac
, from the door which she shut hard. b,