Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-09-14
From Peterson's MagazIne.l
THAT HGDEOUS MAN.
BY EMILY J. MAcKINTOsH.

BY khILf ]. MAcKINT0eH.
CHAPTER l.
"You know it is your fathers wish, Luly."
"Only wish, auntie, not command, and l
think IL Is cruel for you to try to force me to
marry that hideous mani" ..t
"He has been very Ill, dear, and of COURSE
he-that il"
"You can't make an Adons of him, auntie,
80 don't try. And If you could, he would not
be much improved In my estimation. Such an
uncouth mortal never crossed my path! If l
speak to him, he colors to the hue of boiled
lobster, and fdgets his hands and feet as If he
was AFRAID wanted to run away with them
and his yes ma'am' and mo ma'am' are as
constrained as If were bis grandmother"
"And yet your uncle says he is very accom-.
plished."
"Ob, auntie"
"Quite true, my dear. You must take into
consideration his advantages. His mother, one
OF the loveliest women whom ever knew,
died when Lionel was but five years old; and
bis father, inconsolable, shut himself up in
that out-of-the-way country place of his and
never went into society again. Lionel's educa-
tion has been bis whole care, and, profound
scholar himself, he has probably spared no pains
to make bis son his equal, Still the entirely
and nervous, and the long, severe illness which
followed his fathers death accounts for his
palid face" rs-
~ hope his trip to France will restore his
health" said Luly, rather coldly.
"And youl" e5
IT cannot 60 with him." cried the young girl,
passionately. "My fathers will only requests
us to look upon each other as the children OF
such lifelong friends as he and Mr.. Carleton
should do. He hopes we may love each other
well enough to marry happily; otherwise he
does not even desire our union / do not love
him, and cannot fatter myself with the idea
that he even admires me, so we had best part
as good friends, but no more"
At that instant the subject of the conversation
entered the room. A few commonplace re.
marks between him and Mrs. Raymond, and
then she pleaded some household engagement
and left the room. The lovers, per contract,
sat in silence for some moments, and greater
contrast can scarcely be imagined than the two
presented. t.....
Luly Hazleton was blonde of the most ex-
quisite type. Of medium size, her form was
graceful and symmetrical, and her fair curls
| and large blue eyes suited the Greolan profile
and fair, delicate.y tinted complexion. An ex.
preston of animation and high intellect saved
her face from insipdity; and as she now bent
over her sewing, the rich color mantling her
cheeks proved her embarrassment She was
but seventeen, and not at her ease with the
lover whom ahe intended to discard.
| Aud Lionel Carleton, raising his dark eyes
| from the hoor, saw In the large mirror this per-
feet form and face, and his own figure. He
was very tail, and his height was exaggerated
BY the attenuation of long illness. The large
features, which would have been manly and
handsome in health, we're actually monstrous in
the thin, sAllow face; and his dark eyes looked
hollow and unnatural with the black rims which
suffering had pencllled round them. They were
weak, too, and the pink tinge of the lids, aud
certain straining look did no improve their
beauty. A close fitting black skull-cap, which
concealed the loss of hair sacrificed In hIs i'll
ness, added to the grOtesque and gaunt appear
ance of the young man. He smiled sadly as he
studied the group In the mirror; and then with
| the nervous remor of his voice, and futtering
OF the fingers which betokened his bashfulness,
he said, In low tone, r "A
"Miss Hszleton, have come to you, at your
uncle's request, to tell you that leave to-mor-
row; to ask you If may take with me the hope
that the engagement which your father made
with mine will be fulfilled when return2''
He tried to speak calmly; yet, had Louisa
studied his face, che could have read in every
line the longing hope, the deep love which made
his voice tremble and blanched his sallov
cheek. ....t n.
II regret" she said, quietly, yet not raising
her eyes, "that we were 80 strangely bound
to each other before we were old enough to
know what the contract imposed You feel
yourself obliged -" .,....r
"You mistake" he said, eagerly; "there was
no obligation on either side. ~"
She had raised her eyes to hs face question
ingiys and, while he colored deeply, he stam-
mered and let bis voice die away In silence.
Something In the look he gave her, in the
attitude he took, told tie woman's heart his
love. This lonely boy in his orphanhood, sud
denly brought, for the first time, into familiar
intercourse with q beautiful girl, loved her with
the passionate ardor of first love, intensified
by his previous life. Touched with a feeling of
pity, Luly arose and came to his side. 7
eve are both very young, Mr.. Carleton, and
Il is better that we should be free for some years
at least. / will speak frankly. do not love
you" The ghastly whiteness Of his face al
most frightened her, butshe was scting noble,
true part, and she continued, II will not trifle
with you; and when you have met others with
more power to win your love than I possess,
you will thank me for It. Let US part as good
friends, and, believe me, you will carry nv
most earnest wishes for your speedy recovery
and happiness" ~
"S,ay-one moment" he gasped, catching
her hand; "you love no one else %
mo one! Ihave just lef. school; scarcely
know what love MEANS" .she said, blushing.
"Then," he said, earnestly, will you let the
engagement stand as II is for one year7 shall
then return, and, trust me, If You still feel az
you do now, no word Of mine shall again urge
Il : A. 49, - 81