The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-04-01
Written for tie Pioneer.
AFTER MANY DAYS.

Good Heavens! Caroline, what is the
matter?" cried Mrs Grey, As her cousin,
white and trembling, LEANED Tor support
against the frame Of q picture, the merits
of which she had been discussing in the
most animated manner moment previous
to the opening of our tale.
Receiving no reply Mrs. Grey led, al
most carried, her companion toward an
open window, where, by the aid of fresh
air and a glass of water procured by an
attendant, Miss Fenton, after the lapse
of q few moments, was so far recovered
as to be able TO reach without assistance
the carriage which WAS in waiting.
An hour afterwards as the two la.iies
were seated At their sewing in the pleasant
morning room ot Mrs. Gray's luxurious
mansion, that lady, after q lengthy silence,
asked suddenly, "What could have caused
you such sudden fainthess, Caroline?"
at must have been the heat of the
room, think" replied Miss Fenton, but
she colored deeply. and did not raise her
eyesio meet hvr Cousins enquiring glance.
"And I thiah. " answered Mrs Gray de-
cidedly, "that it could rot have bcen the
heat Of the rooms, for there was no crowd
and the rooms were delightfully."- cool. In
deed, ] had no ilea that u Academy
could be such l)unging place-it has al
ways been perfec Jam since the first opeu-
ing" Receiving no reply, She continued:
"If il were not eu very absurd ] should
say that your emotion was caused by the
sight Of that tall. handsome man who
passed u 50 ] Was eXpatiating 50 elo-
Quently upou the color Of Cleopatra's
robe. was sure that your eyes followed
him until he passed on. at the upper door.
then you turned white and faint, ana /
thought YOU wonld have fallen to the
floor
Miss Fentou made no reply. bnt the
blush which once before had lent a richer
bloom 10 her cheek aud lip, now deepened
aud spread until ii dyed the blue veined
temples and white forehead with crimson,
and tinged the small ear and delicate
throat with is ensarguirel hue
why. Caro- cried her c"u>ii Il
must have guessed q secret. ~ hidden
romance! Who conld have thought it OF
my staid Cousin Caroliue!" Then seeing
that the eyes Of her friend were sutfnsed
with teas, she dropped her banteiing tone,
and bending ever sn that her arm might
clasp her cousins waist, She said in tones
of loving entrcaty, DO tell me, Caro-
line, have guessed a:ight?"
ayes, Matte" was the gravely spoken
reply. "Bn: do not question ne Some
time ! will tell you all; but not now,
darling, not nOw,'' and gathering up her
work Miss FeDton sought refuge in her
own room.
That evening Mrs Grey after many re-
monstrances left her cousin to attend
party given by mutual friends, but to
which Miss Fenton, still suffering from her
mornings indisposi'ion, felt herself unable
to accompany her.
Later in the enening, fatigued with dan
eng, she left the crowded ballroom, and
retiring to the library joined group who
were discussing some foreign views which
tay upon The table. SiDgly or in pairs her
lriehus mad at length all left her, and fam
cylng herself alone in the room, she lean
ed PACK IN the corner of the sofa, and her
o ohough's reverung to her cousin, sick and
alone, she tell to Specializing upon the ro-
nance 10 winch she hal that morning
lounu o; ane Key; Gradually she became
CONS tha tl, s sue had for some time past
the part of some one near her H p";e; on
her eyes suddenly, she bebel5 ieon; u,s' ng
the mantleshelf, and attentiyelv renarSS; VI
her, the very gentleman of whom She baS :
been thinking. '''' A''>