The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1860-02-16
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COUSIN JONATnlN.

round her like mist, and in her nut.
brown hair nestled q half.blown rose.
Her companion was man past the
prime of young manhood, aud perl ups
the FIRST impression his appearance gave
was that Of awkwardncss only. Short
and ungraceful, yet powerfully made,
with features far from regular, IL would
be difficult to describe him as other than
a. plain man, Of some Eve and forty
\ years of age Yet he had one charm
voice Of wonderful richness and depth;
soft and gentle, too, when speaking TO
| his fair companion.
II hope you will enjoy it as much us
you expect, Alice"
Il hope shall; but cousin, why arc
you not going with us2"
"You will not miss me, and I have
letters to write this evening. Besides,
what should an old fellow like me do
at bull2"
Alice turned round and gave him a
very saucy look out of her brown eyes.
"What a silly thing you are, Cousin
Jonathan"
Atthat moment tall, hearty.looking
old gentleman entered the room, evident
! ly enjoying some joke, much to his own
satisfaction. He carried a parcel in
his hand.
"See, Miss Alice, here's a queer sort
Of thing come for you. Can you im.
agine what ti~2 I'm sure l can't"
She unGolded the silver paper, and
brought to light an exquisite bouquet
of hot.house flowers.
20, how lovelyl how very lovely
But who can have sent thcm2"
She glanced at her cousin as she
spoke, laughing.
"Not Jonathan, I'm sure" said her
father; "ho's old enough to have more
sense"
did you send thcm?' persisted Al.
ice, moving nearer him, and her voice
faltoring very little.
"I2 no. Is it likely2 See, here is Q
card in the paper"
She took it up and read aloud
"With Captain Rays compliments"
h Very polite--vcry proper--very
Kind said her father, rubbing hi
hauds-"very much so indeed"
Cousin Jonathan moved away.
Mr.. Braybrooke took his daughter!
hand, and turning her deliberately
round, examined her with apparent sat
isfaction.
"Not amiss, is it, Jonathan?" said he
appealing to their quiet companion.
That gentleman was reading a letter
and looking up for moment, replied
Certainly not, sir"
He bent over the paper again, bu
any one near might have seen it trem
BILE in his hand.
Alice grew very rosy, and drew up her
slender figure to its full height.
"Pray, papa, don't ask Mr. Waring tC
admire me; you disturb him from his
letter; and besides-I--I'm sure i
Doesn't don't
My opinion can be of no value,
know" said her cousin, with another
glance from his occupation.
"Never mind him, Puss, added Mr.
Braybrook, as he thought he saw Alice
lip quiver; these old bachelors are al
ways cross and illtompcred."
"Tho carriage is at the door" crieC
+ the footman, entering very opportunely
MIR. Bruybrooke left the room, anC
Alico's maid came in with warm cloul
Of white aud cherry coIored silk.
Good night, said the little lady,
Then this was charmiugly put on, an,
a black veil thrown over her head,
Mr.. Wariug looked up. She stoot
, beside him, holding out tiny whit
+ gIoved hand He took it, saying.
Good night; l hope your FIRST ball
. will be merry one, Alice"
The hand fingered in his.
, elf you were only coming, Cousil
3 Jonuthan'--
) lie interrupted her quickly--almos
hnrshly,
"But I am not; so good night"
She went away silently but turning
at the door to say "Goud night" ono
more, he funciod he saw tears glisten
ing through the shadOwy veil over he
face.
lie started to his feet; but a though
seemed TO strike him and he sat dow
| 70 MS papers oHalug HNtLElluR - blb
make me make a fool Of myself wheth
er / will or no, without that voice an
those pleading eyes. Pshawl a man a
my ge-ridiculousI" And his pc
went faster than ever.
Hour after hour passed on, and st
he was busy at work, One--two-thre
o'clock struck, There was a hustle i
the hall below. lie heard Alices cloa
ringing laugh-that laugh that was lik
no other, Mr.. BraybTook's s hearty voicl
and another voice he did not know
N They came up stairs--Alice, her fail
or, and tall, elegant looking youn
man in uniform.
'' "Mr, Wariug, Capt. Ray" said N
Braybrooke; aud then the three boga
to talk over the ball., and apparent
forgot the very existence Of the writer
the soiu.table
jonathan Warnings heart grew full O
bitterness. Alice glanced once towarC
-, him, saw him pale and with compressC
=. lips
Her eye grew brighter her laug
80 more Joyous. Capt Ray thought ht
ne each moment more and more lovely.
Refreshments were brought in, an