The weekly Ottumwa courier., 1861-05-22
My Two Lovers.
BY MARY f. CLARKE.

"a man who is unkind 10 his mother ard
sisters, will ill-treat his wife,"
My aunt Hattie, who made this sage ob-
servation, was shrewd, sarcastic old maid,
who, for fourteen years, had filled the place
of parents friend and counsellor to her or
phan niece 1t had been no sinecure, this
post of hers; for was frail child, and my
position as heiress made her Office of chap
eron to my young ladyism an anxious trust
"4Auntie ~ a trembling at my heart made
my voice unsteady. "Auntie dear, Of whom
are you thinking?'
"Of two men, Edith, who are courting my
niece. That's an old-fashioned word, dear !;
but Pm an old-fashioned woman. mistrust
Carroll Vaughan, my child. There is a tone
in his voice, when he speaks to Mary, that
sounds unnatural"
"Carroll Vaughn w cried. "Why, auntie,
he is the pink of courtesy; and how beauti-
fully he speaks of his duty to his widowed
motherr'
"Imistrust him, Edie. like John Myers
better He is rough, but frank. Hem blush
ing, Edie2'
"Not bit of it, auntie! Now, my sage
monitor, tell me one thing. When a poor
girl sees man only as he chooses her to see
him, in his company dress, and most fascina-
ting manners, now can she judge of his do
mestic virtues? cannot visit Mr.. Vaughn
at home, nor Mr. Myers either for that
matter"
"Edie, will you do an errand for me?'
Certainly, WILL"
~ wish to inquire the character of girl
who applied for place here, yesterday. She
has lived with Mrs. Vaughn and Mrs. Myers.
"Auntie, see."
"Do you? Run off for your bonnet then
Away went. was some time dressing,
and took mental survey of my two ad-
mirers while donned my walking suit.
Carroll Vaughn was handsome man, who
dressed in faultless taste, and who had the
most Courteous and finished manners had
ever seen. He spoke Of women as of crea.
lures too bright and good for every day life,
and treated me certainly as being to be re-
spectfully adored at distance.
No words can express the Difference with
which he treated both my aunt and myself
and the loving devotion he had expressed in
speaking of his widowed mother and sisters
had often brought tears to my eyes, knew
that he was poor; but ! thought him talent
ed, and capable Of making his mark in tho
world, were the means of starting fairly with
in his power. This was my most ardent
lover. Then--and here felt my cheeks
burn, though was alone-I thought of Johr
Myers. His honest, frank face was only
saved from positive ugliness by the mos
brilliant pair of large, black eyes, and his fig
ure amply atoned for lack of beauty in his
features. 1t was tall and finely formed, and
his carriage was erect and manly. Reserved
and almost bashful in his manners, he hat
never spoken one word Of love; but there
was softness in his tone, and flush on hi,
brow, when he spoke to me, that told tn,
tale without need of spoken words. Other;
might seek the golden treasure my father
will had left to me but if John Myers spok'
ever of love to me, fels sure no sordid hop
Of winning an heircss would prompt him.
"Her name was Margaret O'Nei!l," sale
my aunt to me; "be sure to enquire if she i
a good ironer, Edie"
'Iwill. Good bye"
/ went first to the house of my handsom
beau 1t was early in the day, ten or clever
o'clock in the morning, when rang Mrs
Vaughn's bell. The servant showed me int
the front parlor. merely said that lad.
wished to inquire the character Of servant
and, drawing my veil closer, went into til
room.
While waiting for Mrs. Vaughn to com
down, | heard familiar voice on the stairs
say familiar, though the gentle, winnn
tone It had always assumed in my prcsenc