St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1860-02-16
Romantic Sktttb.
MAKING LOVE
UNDER lDIFIEIODh7 h7plITa So
By MARY F. CLARKE.

never saw such an obstinate
girl !" and Mr. Morton paced his
study floor with quick, impatient steps
looking at his niece, who with pou'
of defiance, sat half buried in a large
armchair, her dark blue eyes filled
with tears, and her pretty dark curls
pushed back from her flushed face.
think it is very unkind to be SO
anxious to get rid of me, uncle Edgar
she said, with quivering lip.
Now don't be simple. Eva. You
know should like to keep you all
my life but your father expressly
named your seventeenth birthday as
the time for you to marry your cousin
Edward" ..... ..''
"The idea of having ones husband
picked our ten years ago " ......
Well, my dear, your father was
very anxious to unite your grand
mothers property again and, as Ed
wards father was the only other
brother excepting myself, he, also left
a will requesting his son to marry
you and your property and his de-
pends upon the compliance with this
request. You cannot refuse him."
What is the penalty ?"
"He takes all the property left by
your father and his own"
"And if he refuses me ~
You take it all. But do not talk
so you don't love anybody else, do
your ... -..
No !! You know that -
Then why not take him ?"
"Oh! the whole arrangement is so
hateful. His highnpss does not even
condescend to come to me !, forsooth,
must seek him. ..
You are only invited to visit your
aunt
Yes, and submit my charms to his
lordship's decision"
4" Well, Eva, perhaps be will refuse
you," and there was mischievouss
twinkle in Edgar Morton's ewes
then you not only lose this distaste.
full husband, but double your prop
erty." .s. .r ...'
\ fash of brightness crossed the
pretty face, before disfgurcd by pout-
ing, and Eva spranS from the chair,
saying, " well | will pack my trunk
and start in search of my husband
That's a good girl,' said her
uncle, bending his stately head over
her tiny figure, to kiss the fair face
lifted to his own.
Eva danced across the room, the
hall, up the stairs to hor own room :
and then locking the door, dragged
forward from a corner large trunk,
and commenced her preparations.
Several hours later she stood before
the glass arranging her travelling
dress.
You are too good-loohing yet.
Eva." she muttcred, looking at the
reflection of fair complexion, dane
ing chestnut cnrls, large, blue eyes, a
tiny, graceful figure, and bright
smiles.
Shift the scene, as dramatists are
privileged TO do, and we find our
selves removed from Eva's pretty
room, in her costly city home, to the
parlor Of a tasteful country mansion
on the banks of the Hudson. 4 lady,
tall and diginiied, dressed in mourn
ing, with widows cap, is seated
near window sewing whilst, at a
table opposite to her, her son, Edward
Morton, is writing The gentleman is
about twenty-five years of age, with
bold, handsome features, tall figure,
and a broad thoughtful forehead.
" Edward" said Mrs Morton, gently.
"Well, mother 2"
at is nearly five o'clock. Your
cousin Eva viii be here iu an hour,
had you not better be ready to re-
ceivc hcr!'
IL am ready, mother"
" In your dressing-gown and smok-
ing-cap, my SOM"
Why Qot? l have no desire to
fascinate the young lady. My fathers
wishes require me to offer myself for
her acceptance, and left Europe for
that purpose; but my own inclina-
tions do not at all chime with the
duty"
"You have not formed any other
attachment 2" .-
" No, mother, but a man likes to
choose his own wife--not find her
made over to him when he was a
mere boy"
a. hope you will like her"
Amen and the conversation
dropped.
They were still seated there, each
engaged in silent occupation, when
the door was flung violently open and
a lady entered.
She was small, with a dark, cloudy
looking complexion. heavy eyebrows,
and cross, sour expression. \ dark
gray travelling dress and close bon
net did not heighten her charms, and
her hair was most unbccomingiy drag
ed back from her forhead, leaving her
face in bold relief against the bonnet
facing.
Thank you for your gallantry,
cousin Edward" said this beauty, in a
sarcastic voice. F" do not so often
visit you. that a ride to the depot
should seem SO formidable an under
taking, Your coachman was very
polite, however,
Edward is very much engaged
just now in writing said Mrs. Nor
ton, while her thought was, what a
fright the pretty child has become :.
"Oh! it is Of no consequence" said
Eva, tossing aside her bonnet and
mantle. and taking chair. IL have
heard before that husbands usually
lose the distinctive virtues of lovers,
and as our affairs are so admirably
arranged for us, my cousin probably
considers any effort to win the affec-
tions of one already forced upon him.