Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1860-04-05
q Gum gtury.
COUSIN JONATHAN.
BY CORA LYNN.

| Before a bright fire, 10 a hand
lsomely furnished drawing-room, two
persons stood one evening" young
and very lovely girl With merry
glance and smile; she was dressed
in something soft and white, that
floated around her like mi,t; and In
her mt brown hair nestled a hall
blown rose.
Her companion WAS a man, past
the prime Of young manhood; and,
perhaps, the first impression his ap-
pearance gsve was that of awkward
ness only. Short and ungracelolly'
yet powerfully made, with features
FIR rom regular, ii would be difficult
TO describe linn MS other than a plain
man some flse-and.forty years of
age. Yet be lad one charm-a
voice of wonderful richness and
depth; soft and gentle, too. when
speaking to his fair companion.
hope you will enjoy it as much
as you expected, Alice.
hope | shall; but, cousin, why
are you not with us?
You will not miss me, and ! have
letters to write this evening; tesides,
what should an old fellow like me do
at ball?
Alice turned around and gave
him very saucy look out of her
brown eyes.
What silly thing you are, cousin
Jonathan!
Atthat moment, tall, ana hearty.
looking old gentleman entered the
room, evidently enjoying some joke.
much to his own satisfaction. lie
carried a parcel in bis hand.
Sc, Miss Alice, here's a queer
sort of a thing come fer you; can
you imagine what it is? I'm sure
can't.
She unfolded the silver paper,
and brought to fight an exquisite hou-
quet of hot house flowers.
Oh! how lovely! how very lovely!
But who can have sent them?
She glanced at her cousin as she
spoke laughingly.
Not Jonathan, I'm sure, said her
father; he's old enough to have
more sense.
Didyou send them? persisted Alice,
moving nearer to him and her voice
faliering little.
/! no; is it likely? See, here is
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 his
hands-very much SO, indeed.
Cousin Jonathan had moved away.
Mr.. Bray brook took his daughter 5
band, and turning her deliberately
around, examined her with great ap-
parent satisfaction.
Not amiss, is it, Jonathan? said
he, appealing to their quiet compan'
ion.
That gentleman was reading a let
ter, and, looking up for a moment
replied: certainly not, sir.
He bent over the paper again, bu'
any one near might have seen II
tremble in his hand. /.
Alice grew very rosy, and drew
up her slender figure to its full height
Pray, papa, don't ask Mr.. WaIlns
TO admire poor me, you disturb hin
from his letter; and besides-l-ln
sure il doesn til don't
My opinion can be of no value,
know. said her cousin, with anothe
glance from bis occupations
Never mind him, Puss. added Mr.
Bray brook, as he thought he say
Alice's lip culver; these old bach
elorxlhssays are cross aud lll-tem
pered.
The carriage is at the door, crle'
tho Goo,man. cntering very oppol
tunely.
Mr. Braybrook left the room' an'
Alios's maid came 10 with a warn
cloak Of white and cherry colore
silk. -,
Coed night, said the little lady
Then this charming affair was p1oE
! erIy put on, and black lace veil wa
!, thrown over her head.
Mr.. Waribg looked up. She stoo