The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-07

Warning to admire me. You disturb him
from his letter; besides--l'm sure--it
doesn't-that isl do not"
"Of course my opinion can be of no val.
ue," said Jonathan, again briefly glancing
from his letter.
"Never mind him, Alice" said her fa'
ther, fancyiDg he saw his daughters lips
quiver with disappointment /; these old
bachelors are always cross and i'll temper
ed"
A servant entered to say that carriage
was at the door.
Alice's maid appeared with cloak, and
Mr.. Leyman went out to look at the car.
riage.
"Good night" said the young lady.
Jonathan Warning raised his head. She
was standing beside him, holding out her
small, white gloved hand. He took it, say>
ing,
"Good night. 1 hope, Alice, your first
ball will be merry one"
For moment the hand fingered in his.
"If yow were only going, cousin Jona.
than"
"But l am not" be answered, almost
harsbly $50 gooi night"
Alice went away silently, but, turning at
the door to say "Good night" once more, Mr..
Warning imagined be saw tears glistening
through the veil which concealed her face.
He started to his feet, but directly sat
down again to his papers.
"Pshaw!" he exclaimed 4; "she makes a
fool of me. A man of my age! Ridicu-
lOus p and his pen scratched away faster
than ever.
Hour after hour passed away. One, two,
three o'clock struck, and MIR. Warning was
still at work.
There was stir below stairs then a
sound of bustliog and laughing. He heard
Alice's voice and her fathers, and then an.
other voice that be did not recognize. They
came up stairs-Alice, her father, and q
tall handsome young man in United States
military uniform
"Mr. Warning, Captain Hay" said MIR.
Leyman. And then the trio began to talk
about the ball, and apparently to forget the
writer at the table.
Jonathan Warnings neart grew full of
bitterness. Alice once glanced towards him
with pale face and compressed lips. But
it was for moment. Her eyes grew
brighter, her laugh more joyous, and Capt.
Hay thought be had never seen her look so
lovely.
After while the Captain took bis leave,
promising to call in the morning and bring
Alice some cooks he was snre she would
like. Mr.. Leyman quilted the room with
the young officer.
II 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."
alt must have been long, lonely evening
to you"
Not at all. 1 was too busy "Good
night
"Good night, cousin How do you like
Capt. Hay"
81 think him very handsome man."
"Yes, and be is SO very fascinating"
81 can we'll fancy it,"
"tiood night"
She ran few steps up the stairs and re
turned and re-entered the room.
"Oousin Jonathan, will you tell me ii you
think looked we'll tonight?"
To me you looked juit as y3u al
ways do"
"But many people said that I-I-I-"
"Looked lovely? No doabt. And as
plenty of Others told you so, there is all the
less need for me to do it. Now good
night. Go to bed, or you'll not look so
lovely tomorrow, can assure you"
When Alice reached her own room che
burst into tears.
"He sees that care for him." she cried
passionateIy, Sand shuns me.' He wants
to guard you against YOURSELF" whispered
pride.
4
Several weeks had passed away. Phila>
delphia was very gay, and Alice had been
to many parties and balls, and few young
ladies had heen more admired. 1t was
whispered that she was somewhat inclined
to flirting, and certainly not without reason,
for the name of her admirers seemed to be
"Legion," and yet she sometimes appeared
to be melancholy.
One day she was sitting alone in the
drawing-room, listlessly reading novel,
when her cousin Jonathan entered the room
He was much occupied and she had seen but
little of him of late.
Noting her lauguid, weary look, he offered
to sit and chat while with her if she would
permit him.
The weary look was gone in q moment.
1t was very unusual thing for her cousin
to offer to amuse her, and it made her color
come.
l have a good deal to say to you, Al
ice,' he said, taking seat by her side
He took up the book she had lain aside.
"Who scot you this Which of your
adoring swains 2"
Il got it from Mr. Thurlow."
"Alice, did you ever hear the old song--
Fanny had lovers so many
She knew not on whom to decide p
"Hush, Jonathan. II you talk like that
shall send you away"