The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1864-03-30

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thought her by far tho loveliest aud most
loycable. There were such glad bcafns 81
light dancing in her largo hazel cyes such
a world Of sweetness lowering on her red
lipe, and nesting at their dimplod corners
whenever she smiled, rs in their estimation,
to moro than compensate for the lack of
regularity in her features. and complex
ion, which, for lady, was somewhat dark.
There was no lack Of sleeping apartments
in the Ellsworth mansion, yet all unocou-
pied by the family were somewhat dimin-
utivo in size, except what was called Tho
parlor chamber, and ono with which Il
communicated, fitted up as library, These
of course, wero to be appropriated to the
use of George Stanhope, their expected
guest. In order 10 prevent him from GO
ing to the hotel, Anastasia gave directions
to her brother, a lad of twelve years, TO be
at the post-oflice when tho stage stopped to
shift the mail, and IL he found that Mr..
George Stanhope was one of the passengers,
to invite him to go home with him.
Wednesday came, and the stage was gem
orally in about Eve. Anastasa who had
already made known to Ellen that it was
her determination to bring cousin George 70
her feet, as a suppliant for her hand, tell
ing her, at the same timo. in an ironical way,
that she must not attempt to rival her,
selected a dress for the occasion, which
she and every one thought peculiarly be-
coming.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed---
so says the adage and though Ellen had
ut first, entertained some faint idea that
she should like to make q favorable "hrst
impression" on their distinguished cousin,
after what her sister had told her relative
to her own intentions, she not only, aban-
! doned tho idea, but wondered at herself,
when she accidently caught the reflection
Of her own person in the mirror, and then
] glanced at the faultless beauty of Anastasio,
that she would, for moment have thought
OF anything so preposterous. She, there-
fore, attired herself in her usual plain and
neat afternoon dress, her only favorite or
nament-two or three rosebuds, whose
crimson petals were just bursting from
their green bondage, being woven with the
glossy braids of her raven hair. As abe
was accustomed TO wear these daily, from
the appearance Of tho first bud,
"Till the last rose ofsummer
| Was faded aud gone"
neither she nor Anastasia thought of motto.
ing their fino effect. Had she studied q
whole week, she could not have selected
| ny way Va tp-
propriate or becoming.
| Though Ellen had abandoned all thoughts
of favorable first impression, when, at q
little after five, the stage coach, instead OF
passing as usual drow up opposite the
arched gateway, tho bright sparkle of her
eyes and the heightened color of her checks
showed that she was not little excited.
Auastasia remained calm and self-pOssessed,
she would have felt greatly scandalizod to
appear otherwise than composed before
her aristocratic cousin, and she could not
help saying to Ellen, that she would dis
grace horself and tho whole family by APP
pearing so much excited, just as if she
never before had seen gentleman who
was anybody.
George Stanhope fully realized Anastasia's e
expectations as to looks, but there was
something in his manners more unreserved
and cordial than she had anticipated. lie
shook them all warmly by the hand, told
Ellen that he could trace in her family
resemblance to the Stanhopes, and finally
expressed his satisfaction that so good an
opportunity had offered for making their
acquaintance, confessing at the same time
that he had about made mp his mind to
pass single night at the hotel, and then
proceed on his journey without calling on
them, previous to the invitation received
while the stage was waiting at the post
| office.
Mrs. Ellsworth, in return, assured him
that she, and indeed tho whole family would
have been deeply disappointed if he had
not called on them, and that they should be
still more so, il now that he hal, he could
not be induced to spend at least week
with them.
Il will own that l am strongly tempted
to remain number of days with You, said
he. ~ had no idea that Cedar Vale was
so delightful place"
If Anstasia's expectations were equaled
as regarded Stanhope's appearance, Ellehs
was so far transcended, that, instead of i'm
itating ler sisters dignifed composure, she
could not help appearing pleased and ami
mated. Without once thinking that he
might regard her as a foil, as was limited by
her mother previous to his arrival, to set of
Anastasias beauty to better advantage, she
abandoned herself to the enjoyment of the
moment. A rebuking look from her moth
er, and the words, Ellen, you are behay-
ing in very unlady-like mannerl" broke
the spell, and caused her to realize her own
insignifcance, and how unworthy of notice
she must appear in the eyes of George Stan
hope, in comparison with her beautiful and
accomplished sister. There was little dan.
ger now of her forgetting that he could
never be anything more to her than cous-
in in the third degree, unless it were a
brother-in-law, and she was really grateful
to her mother for recalling her to herself
though she felt deeply hurt at the accusa-
ton of being unlady-like. Yet, except for
few moments, these thoughts did not So
riously mar her enjoyment. Her disposi
ton was too sunny, and her spirits toe
elastic, to suffer her to remain long dc
pressed.
1t was not long before cousin George,
as Mrs. Ellsworth chose to designate him
discovered that there was piano in the
room, and after tea, being fond Of music
and having fine tenor voice himself, he
addressed the sisters, and without particu
larly designating either, asked to be favor
ed with song
Anastasia at once took her seat at the
piano. Her vuice was good, and she sung
and played several airs quito correctly. A
the close of one Of them, Stanhope said (.
"Here are some old ballads, see dC
You sing either of them, Miss Ellsworth p
"I can sing them, she answered.
"Ellen can sing them beautifully" saic
Thomas, the lad who had been sent 10 ths
post office to prevent Stanhope from going
to tho hotel.
! Mrs. Ellsworth smiled.
"Thomas, said she, is, Of course. q first
rate judge ia suoh matters"
"Iean tell what plesses me" said Thomas
considerably abashed by his mothers re
mark.