The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-02-17

edge of her position, concluded, "but will
just do my best to fill the place OF the indi.
vidual she took me for, and conduct her
wherever she wishes to 60, if can only find
where it isw / turned to her with an af-
fectation of ease, which l was very far from
feeling, and said, sit is long journey"
"Do you think so? But tits very pleas
ant, isn't it? Cousin Jenny enjoyed it so
much? :"
"Ah indeed? ?"
"Why. why, what queer man |" she said
with little laugh. "Doesn't she never tell
you, as she does me in all her letters, how
happy she is, and that St. Louis is the
sweetest place in the world to live in! Dear
me! that I should have to tell her own
husband first. How we shall laugh about
it when we get there"
So it was st. Louis where we were going
to and was her cousins husband. I never
was so thankful for two pieces of information
in my life.
"And how does dear Jenny look? and
what is she doing and how is dear Aunt
Beman? do tell me the news y
"Jenny," said mastering courage and
words, ais the dearest little wife in the
world, you must know, only far too fond
of her scamp of husband. AS to her looks,
you can't expect me to say anything, for she
always looks lovely to me-"
"Brave !" said the pretty GIRL with a
malicious smile but about aunty's rheu-
matism?"
"Miss, I mean, of course, Mrs. Beman, is
very WELL"
aWell," said my fair questioner, regarding
me with surprise, II thought she had not
been well for number of years!"
II mean well for her." said I, in some
trepidation "the air of st. Louis (which /
have since learned is of misty, moisty
order) has done her world of good. She
is quite different woman"
81 am very glad !" said her niece.
She remained silent for few moments,
and then gleam of amusement began to
dance in ber bright eyes.
ITO think !" she said, suddenly turning to
me with musical laugh, "that in all this
time you have not once mentioned the
baby"
know gave violent start, and think
I turned pale. After had run the gaunt.
let of all these questions triumphantly, as l
thought, this new danger stared me in the
face. How was / ever to describe baby,
who had never noticed one? My courage
sank below zero, but in the same proportion
the blood rose to my face, and l think my
teeth fairly chartered in my head.
"Don't be afraid that shall not sympa-
thize in your raptures," continued my tor
mentor, as I almost considered her, II am
quite prepared to believe anything after
Jenny's letter-you should see how she cares
for him."
Him. Blessed goodness, then it must be
a boy!
"Of course" said I, blushing and STAN.
mering, but feeling it imperative to say
something, eve consider him the finest fellow
in the world, but you might not agree with
us, and in order to leave your judgement
unbiased, I shall not describe him to you"
"Ah! but I know just how he looks, for
Jenny had no such scruple-so you may
spare yourself the trouble or happiness, which
ever it is-but tell me what you mean te
call him p
ave have not decided upon name,"
replied.
"Indeed / thought she intended to give
him yours"
The deuce she did !! thought 1. "No, one
| of name is enough in family" an
! swered
/ The demon of inquisitiveness, that, tt
my thinking, had instigated my companion
heretofore, now ceased to possess her, for w
talked of Indifferent things, and 1 had relie
of not being compelled to draw on my owr
imagination at the expense of my conscience
when gave the. particulars Of my recent
journey to Boston. Yet was far from
feeling at ease, for every sound of her voice
startled me with dread of fresh questions
necessary, but impossible to be answered
and felt guilty flush steaming upon my
temples every time met look of thost
innocent eyes.
! 1t was late when we stopped for supper
and soon after saw the dark fringes of my
companions eyes droop long and often, arc
began to realize that she ought to be asleep
Itknew perfectly well that it was my duty t.
offer her resting place on my shoulder, bu
hardly had courage enough to ask thai
innocent face to lie on my arm, which wa
not, as she thought it, that OF a cousin, anl
married man. Recollecting, however, thai
it was my duty to make her comfortable
and that / could scarcely deceive her more
than | had already done, / preferred The
usual civility. She slightly blushed bu
thanked me, and accepted it, by leaning hel
head lightly against my shoulder, and look
ing up into my eyes with smile, said, aAs
you are my cousin" Soon after her eyes
! closed and she slept sweetly and calmly, az
| If resting in security and peace.
looked down at the beautiful face
slightly pa'ed with fatigue, that rested
against mine, and felt like villain. dared
not to touch her with my arm, although the
rebounding of the cars jostled her very much.
] Isat remorseless until the sleeper settled the