The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1862-04-24

BY J. OBI NIGER
CONTINUED.

1t now flashed upon me-, that
Miss Anne had purposely provoked
the quarrel with me, in order to
drive me from Woodland, so that
she could make arrangements to
marry johnson in my absence; and
as if to add injury to insult, re-
quests her father to hunt me up,
and bring me to Woodland, to w.t.
ness the triumph of my rival !!
That looked malicious. ! began
to entertain the idea Of turning
back. But what excuse could |
make to the Colonel, for such a
procedure? Motive or die, sink
or swim, l would 60 on, and would
steal my heart against all emotion,
and let proud Anne Morgan see
how bravely 1 could endure the
sight of her nuptials with another.
1 would put OH my best looks, smile
complacently, and endeavor to be
unusually jovial and witty. Having
thus scIlooled myself, l entered in
to conversation with the Colonel,
and we rode along, chatting in a
lively tone, until the estate Of
Woodland broke on our view
when all my good resolutions left
me, and despair closed in around
me. AS | caught sight of the
Lombardy poplars that shot :heil
graceful cones up against the blue
sky, in front Of the mansion, ant
swayed their tall forms in the even
ing breeze, my anguish almost
oyercame me. The sun was JUS
sinking below the horizon, and tho
! whole heavens and the earth seemed
enyeloped. in allaze Of fire. Nearel
and nearer we approached Wood
land; louder and louder be.t my
poor heart. There were tile fg
trees, under which we 80 often sal
aud ate their luscious fruit, and
talked .ove with our eyes, while
we clluttcd nonsense with our lips.
Oh, how could | endure the agony
which such q scene as l would wit
ness that night, would inspire? AS
we rode up to the gate at Wood
land, / caught a glimpse of Miss
Anne as she passed from the old
house into the new. Oh ye gods
how the sight sent the blood seeth-
ing and bubbling through my
veins! Ueartsick and half-crazed,
| reeled from my horse, and re-
signed him to the servant IN wait
ing. Tie Colonel led the way to
the house. I saw that the new
building, though still unfinished,
was TO be the place for the nuptials.
AS we stepped up ON the portieo,
we were met by Mr.. johnson,
dressed in his best. With a smile
OF triumph, he advanced and shook
me by the hand, exelaiming;
"WeIl, well, Mr., Clovcrton, Lam
glad to see you've were afraid
you would not come; how have
you been? You look pale
scarcely know how Ianswered
him, certainly not very courteously,
for felt that he was making a
display of his triumph, out Of pure
malice. If 4 could have annihil-
ated him at one fell blow, | fear he
would not now be alive and iu
good health.
Come" said he, taking me by
the arm, "let me introduce you to
the BRIDE" and dragging me along
with him, he ushered me into the
parlor, which was tastefully but
temporarily decorated for the oc.
casion. There stood Anne Morgan,
by the side Of her waiting. maid,
Rosa, .wreathing her head with
flowers"
"Miss Rosa, the bride elect, Mr.,
Olovertonw and Miss Rosa acknow-
iedged my salutation with a grace.
,ful courtesy. - x. ''
II was indeed Rosa, who was to
be married, iai.d not her mistress.
'IscoIld have hugged drep ont of