Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-31
A COUNTRY ROMANCE.
IcoNcLUDED.]

The afternoon had been suitry, ana amy
sat alone in her little room, her thoughts very
earnestly dwelling upon Cousin Nathan, and
totally unaware that Mr.. Jacobs sat just out
side the open window. Fanny's cheek was not
rs rosy as il used to be; and when Uncle
Joshua noticed her troubled, anxious look and
saw that the roses had fed from her face, he
wondered if Nathan had anything to do with
it. tie had poudered the matter very seriously,
and had said to himself, whats the use,
Joshua, of stepping between two happy young
things like that2 Mr.. Jacobs with his money
isn't in reality 30 good match for Fanny as
your nephew, and as for these idiot grand
chiIdren-that's rather counting chickens afore
they are hatched-and you might as well run
the risk of them as to make your daughter 90
unhappy" Moreover, Uncle Joshua, not aware
of Fansy : constant feeling, and little piqued
that Mr. Jacobs had not been sufficiently
struck with FanDy's charms to propose for her
hand, he suddenly threw down his scythe, and
slapping his hand on his knee, said, "Let'em
marry; let'em marry, Joshua, you're rich
enough, If Nathan amt, and you can set'em
up in such style as would make Mr. Jacobs
eyes water" Acting upon the kindly impulse,
he started for the house.
Meanwhile, Fanny had been startled at see-
ing tall shadow fall across the threshold, and
looking up, she clasped her two little hands
over her breast and CALCULATED, "Oh, Nathan"
The next moment he had her in his arms. Then
Fanny drew herself up and stepped back.
I" How is it, Nathan, YOU come to see me to-
day, when you have kept away 50 long, and
besides gave me up without bidding me good.
bye9'
May, Fanny" said Nathan, his sunburnt
cheeks reddening little, "you don't know
how Uncle Joshua talked to me. He told me
never to set my foot in his house Igain until
you were put out of my reach by being mar
ricd to some one else.
"Oh. Nathan, did father say that? ?''
TpA he A. md haf 70 oIa
you goodbye, and have had such a lonely
wretched feeling in my heart all this time.
Then | heard you were going to be married to
this New York chap as is staying around here,
and L couldn't keep away any longer"
What, Mr. Jacobs? Why, Nathan, l hate
him. would like to have a fairy pick him up
snd set him down gently on the summit of
Mont Blonc. wouldn't marry Mir. Jacobs if
he and were the last ofcreation, and only enc
strip of green turf left for us to inhabit,
weuld either jump of or push him of, that's
sure, for l can't bear him"
''0h, Fanny, what a relief to me to hear you
say that. 1t pays for sneaking into a man 8
house in this way, when I've been as good as
turned out of it, / felt mean to do it, mighty
mean; but, oh, Fanny; if you only love me
still and will always love me, would walk in
10 the dominion of the Fire King himself,
though he waved frebrand in my face to
keep me out.
Just at that moment they heard Uncle JOSH
ua's steps coming towards the door.
- He mustn't find you here, Nathan. Father,
you know, is set in his way-he would never
forgive you. Here" she cried, lifting up the
lid of the lounge, lump in here, lie down,
and | will let you out as soon as / can"
Nathan was in. the lid closed, and the cush-
ion replaced on the lounge before Nathan fairly
knew what be was about. When Uncle Joshus
came in, Fanny was on her knees brushing ?
some shreds into the dust-pan. Unobserved,
she managed to put her lips to a knot-hole and
whisper, ''Can you breathel" to which Nathan
as softly replied, Yes, but its hot here
Uncle Joshua sat down and called Fanny tc
his knee.
You look pale. child, and you're troubled
What ails you? Tell your father, Fanny"
II am not sick, father, indeed l am not
How can L be sick2 am not; but L do wist
Mr.. Jacobs would go away, for I can't besl
him"
What, and you wouldn' marry him, Fan
ny, if he should ask you9'
Me- No, never, never"
Well, pose that young scamp, Nathan
has something 10 do with thatH'
Don't call him young scamp, father"
Mustn't, eh? 0a, s'pose you think he II
make me one of the best son-in-laws, and would
not be carrying you of from the old home, n
some of them chaps do, and that he'd work tn
farm as / grew old, and all that?''
Indeed, indeed, yes! know he would "
eagerly exclaimed faDny.
.Well,' said Uncle Joshua, duly, " dom
intend to let him try that game yet awhile
Run and get me glass Of cold water, that's
good child"
Fanny cast an anxious look towards tn
lounge and left the room. The instant sh
vanished Mr. Jacobs threw up the curtain an
stepped in through the window.
Mr.. Grey" he said, in a low voice, I"
come to bid you adieu. After knowing Mis-
Fanny's feelings toward me, rs / learned theI
this afternoon, can no longer stay. / coul
have loved your daughter, sir, and would hav
been glad to have lent my wealth towards EN-
bellishing this fine old place, but Miss Fam
has willed it otherwise, and I've nothing NOR
TO say"
"All right" said Uncle Joshua, bIuntly
"as for the place, it's got along SO far with m
means; and do not want no one else's none
10 keep it up for the rest OF my days. As fo
Fanny, she's girl Of good Judgment, and
she don't like you, 1 s'pose she has reasons fC
it"
mo doubt she has," said Mr.. Jacobs, yer
much nettled, land if you lift up the lid of th
lounge yonder, presume you'll find about 81
feet Of her reasons in there"
Uncle Joshua smelt a rat at once; but pr
tending not to notice Mr.. Jacobs's remark, /
bade him goodbye.
When Fanny re-entered the room her faith,
wss lying quietly on the lounge.
Bring me pillow, Fanny; 1 believe L
take nap"
s'Hsdn't you better go into the other roor
father It's cooler there"
"No, child, I'll stay here, believe; ar
s'pose you sit down and keep the flies of n
while I snooLe."
Poor Fanny there was no alternative-bu
the perspiration poured from her face in syr
psthy with poor Nathan, who she really b,
1ieved would melt in that close box. II
inmates slipped by-her father still slept-al
with tears on her cheek she again put her Ii
TO the lounge and said, scan you breathe ?"
What's that, child ?" said Uncle Joshu
instantly opening his eyes, did you ask if
could breathe? Idreamt you did. It's deuce
het here-but I can breathe, oh yes"
The next minute be was snoring again, Al
Fanny, in despair, sat Tanning away the fi'
not daring to ask Nathan another question, b
suddenly she heard him say softly, q" Fanny
Fanny" said Uncle Joshua, quickly, wit
out opening his eyes, =" some one is CALI
you-run, dear, il may be your aunt; a
Fanny, kiss me Good night, child, it's 20
bed time and you must 90 at once. Yeu ne
not come back"
In few minutes Nathan heard Uncle Josh
snoring again. and he made up his mind the
was no use Of trying to endure this any long