Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-01-05
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T Z B n o ,
a SECRET REVEALED.
BY WALTER CLARENCE.

lne GIRL from the tenor OF the conversation
WAS evidently anticipating some.great and un.
accustomed pleasure, and the gentleman evi.
dently shared her delight. He held her hand
and looked tenderly into her face, and yet no
one could have supposed them to be lovers. The
IDEA would have seemed absurd. He was 60
much older than she, and stout, short and un-
graceful In form, with very plain set Of fea-
tores; while she was delicately fair, almost girl.
ish In form, with large, sparkling blue eyes and
profuslon OF brown hair, soft and glossy as
Blk lie was slow and heavy in his movements; !;
sne graceful and plant as young fawn. Still
there was one point OF attraction in the gentle
man--one charm which is often productive of
wonderful effects. He had voice of great rich
ness ana depth, yet soft end gentle withal, as
that Of the graceful young creature with whom
he was conversing.
"Well, we'll, Alice," said The gentleman.
while something like sigh escaped him. ri
hope you will enjoy it as much as you expect to
do"
81 hope go, Cousin Jonathan; but tell me-"
she added, as If the idea had Just struck her,
why are not you going with us2"
"You will not miss me; besides Ihave letters
to write this evening" He smiled as he added:
"What would an old fellow like me do at
ball2"
"What silly thing you are" said Alice,
giving her cousin saucy look out of her blue
eyes.
AT this moment tall, hearty looking old
gentleman entered the room, evidently enjoying
some joke much to bic satisfaction. He had a
parcel in his hand.
"See, Miss Alice" said he, "here's queer
sort of parcel come for you. Can you imagine
what it is2 I'm sure can't"
The young girl unfolded the paper and brought
to light an exquisite bouquet of flowers.
"HoW lovely! How very lovely!~ she ex
claimed. "Who could have sent tbem2"
She glanced at her cousin as she spoke.
"Not Jonathan, I'm sure" said her father
"He's old enough to have more sense"
"Did you send them7" aeked Alice, drawing
nearer to her cousin.
"I-no. Is 1t likely2 See, here is a card at.
tached to the papers"
She took 1t up and read aloud-"With Cap.
tain Hays Compliments"
every polte-very proper-very kind" said
her father, Rubbing his hands. Every kind, in
deed"
Jonathan walked to the window.
Mr.. Lsyman-that was the elder gentleman e
name-took his daughters hand, and turning
her round with pardonable fatherly pride, ex-
amined her appearance with evident satisiac.
tion.
mot amiss, is she, Jonatban1" he said to
the younger man.
"No-that is-what were you saying2 All,
yes, Miss Alice; yes, very pretty and becom.
ing"
He was reading letter, and hardly lifted bis
Eyes from it to give the reply. Yet his voice
slightly trembled.
Alice blushed
"Please, papa" she said, "don't ask Mr..
Warning to admire me. You disturb him from
his letter; besides-Pm sure-it doesn't-that
isl do not"
"0f course, my opinion can be of no value"
said Jonathan again briefly glancing from his
letter.
"Never mind him, Alice" said her father,
fancying he saw his daughters liTs quiver with
disappointment; "these old bachelors are al
ways cross and ill tempered.
A servant entered to say that the carriage
was at the door.
"Alice's maid appeared with a cloak, and
Mr.. Leyman went out to look at the carriage.
"Good night" said the young lady,
Jonathan Warning raised his head She was
standing beside him, holding out her small,
Whlte-goved hand. He took it, saying
"Good night. l hope, Alice, your first ball
will be merry one"
For a moment the hand fingered in his.
"lt you were only going, Cousin Jonathan. -
"But am not" he answered, almost harsh.
ly; $50 good night"
Alice went away silently, but turning at the
door to say "Good night" once more, Mr..
Warning imagined he saw tears Rlistenipo
through the veil which concealed her face.
He started to his feet, but directly sat down
again to his papers.
"Pshaw!" he exclaimed; "she makes fool
of me. A man of my age! Ridiculous!" and
his pen scratched away faster than ever
Hour alter hour passed away. One, two,
three o'clock struck, and Mr.. Warning was still
at work.
There was stir below stairs; then A sound
OF hustle and laughing. He heard Alce's voice
and her fathers, and then another voice that he
did not recognize. They came up staIrs-Alice,
her father, and tall, handsome young man In
the U. 8. military uniform.
"Mr. Warrirg, Captain Hay" said Mr.. Lev,
man. And than the trio began to talk about
the ball, and apparently to forget the writer at
The table.
Jonathan Warnings heart grew full of bit.
terness, Alice once glanced toward him with
. pale face and compressed lips. But 1t was
but for q moment. Her eyes grew brighter,
her laugh more Joyous, and Captain Hay
thought he had never seen her look so lovely.
After while the Captain took his leave,
promising to call in the morning and bring
Alice some books he was sure she would like.
Mr.. Leyman quilted the room with the young
officer.
81 am sorry You sat up for u.s." said Alice to
her cousin. "You look quite tired out"
"Thank you; but do not feel so."
Ut must have been long, lonely evening to
gou."
"Not at all. was too busy. Good night. -
;ain Hay2"
II think him very handsome man."
"Yes, and he is so very fascinating"
81 can wei, fancy it,"
"Good night"
'She ran few steps up stairs and returned
md re-entered the room.
cousin Jonathan will you tell me If YOU
ihink l looked well tonight"
ITO me you looked just as you always do"
but many people said that I-I-I-"
"Looked lovely2 No doubt. And as plenty
of others told you 60, there is all the less need
Tor me to do it. Now good night. Go to bed,
Or you'll not look so lovely tomorrow, can
assure you"
Wnen Alice reached her own room she burst
into tears.
che sees that care for him." she cried, pas
sionately, "and shuns me-" "Iie wants 10
guard you against yourself" whispered pride.
Several weeks had passed away. Philadel-
phia was very gay, and Alice had been to many
parties and balls, and few young ladies had been
more admired. Il was whispered that she was
inclined to flirting, and certainly not
without reason, for the name of her admirers
seemed to be LEGION and yet she sometimes
appeared tob be melancholy. 1gtss ~ oi y,
One day she was sitting alone In the drawing
room, listlesaly reading novel; when her COus-