The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-20


this. A flush of mingled resentment and
contempt flew to my cheeks; it seemed
sacrilege to speak so lightly of so beautiful
creature. Besides, l found she had made
deep impression on my own imagination
and remembered how her eyes had turn
ed more quickly at the sound of Frank 3
voice than at any other; that, even when
he passed her, she seemed to know it, to
look more eagerly, to listen more intently.
Every day l became more enamored of
this lovely girl, and it panied me mex
pressibly to see Frank, as l thought, tri1e
with her. He paid real court to the more
regal Charlotte, but his vanity could not
withstand the mate homage of her sister.
I often watched them watched
till it almost maddened me; for would
have given worlds for one of the peculiar
smiles she always bestowed on him.
One day saw him standing at the door
which led out upon small plot of garden
ground, now regal with full crimson, and
the deep haes of the trees, whose branches
leaned over the wall. One arm was placed
around her waist, with the other hand he
was pressing back the black. wavy hair
"You have remarkably beautiful fore
head, Emily" he said.
"Have 1? do you think so? Oh, l am
so glad!" she said, artlessly.
"What makes you glad, Emily?" he
asked, in the softest Of tones.
Because, whatever you like in me al
ways makes me glad," was the innocent
reply. "That beautiful song, "A Ring of
Gold she gave me, do you know l have
learned that because you liked it so we'll
can sing every word of it,
"Can you? " said he. "Thank you for
learning it for me. will hear you sing it
this evening. Yes," he continued, still
musingly, "you have a remarkably intel
lectual brow; l think you could write poe
try, little one.''
"Ah, if l could but see you might, -
was the low, sweet reply.
swell, well, there's a confession" said
Frank, laughing lightly, yet from where
stood l saw his cheek flush with pleasure
"Now, how do you suppose look?"
-. "Oh, have heard often," said the in-
nocent creature. "Sister Lottie has told
me that you have black, curling hair and
black eyes And I think, as Lottie says,
you must be very handsome"
"Oh, yes I'm prodigiously handsome
fellow" said Frank, conceitedly, laughing
as he spoke. "Do you think, little one,
that sister Lottie likes me pretty well?"
How can she helpit?" " asked the blind
girl, lifting her glowing but sightless eyes
towards him.
If ever my blood boiled it did then, as
saw him lean over and kiss her. If ever l
wanted to give that arrant knave and puppy
shaking, did then. A blush mounted
her pure cheeks-a smile deepened the
dimples round her lips.
Frank,"I exclaimed, Indignantly, a
few moments afterwards, "you ought 10
be ashamed of yourself"
"What do you mean ?" he asked, look
ing somewhat guilty as he spoke.
"You are doing harm, Frank" said,
I" in leading that poor girl to love you. 1t
is a cruel thing. You will pay dearly for
it some day, mark my words.
"Pshaw," he exclaimed half angrily.
Chow the deuce am l to help the girl
liking me? Ii she will be such fool, why
let her -
"You encourage her to love you,
Frank" said l "you know you do, both
by words and actions
"Pooh! you are jealous " he sneered.
"No, Frank, not Jealous, for have no
claim upon her. Would to heaven had !"
1 exclaimed, with such vehemence that
he gazed at me quite silenced and subdued.
Remember" l said solemnly," she is
different from other women. Her great
calamity has made her a pet in the house
hold; she has been treated always like a
tender little child, and she looks for caresses
and love from everybody. Unstudied in
the ways of the world, unspoiled by the
arts Of society, she has not the cunning to
hide her attachments, but confers favors
upon those she loves with child's artless,
confiding readiness Be careful, Frank,
be careful how you trifle with human
heart, especially with hers, for few women
can feel as she does"
Frank Appleby laughed a little, but
could see that he was touched, as he turned
upon his heel, saying, "Well, will leave
her to you. Unmask my treachery if you
will, but tell you meant no HARM"
If he had left her to me as he said, il
his vanity had not prevailed over his bet.
ter Judgment, all might have been well.
That evening she sang the sweet song
"a Ring of Gold, and all applauded. Blu
} she looked round in vain for word o
. praise from Frank. never shall forge
/ that touching, eager glance, asking 81
} mutely, so mournfnlly for the one belove'
: voice. For a few days Frank was yer,
} distant, seldom speaking to her, and l en-
deavored to fill his place. At all practisa
bic times sang to her, read to her, Wake
with her, and after some little while ha
elapsed she lost the look of painful revert
that had for time become habitual t
her, and learned to watch for me. Oh
Z those precious hours when she seemed a