The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-04-01
est affections the sport of his idle mo-

est affections the sport of his idle mo-
ments!
was not one to die of disappointment
in love, and after the first shock of grieved
surprise, rallied and struggled against my
feelings; and although the world for time
looked dark and gloomy enough, con-
| quered. No one has ever dreamed of this
"romance, as you call it, Matte; suf-
fered in silence. And think that if John
and Alice ever gave the subject thought
after we left, It was to conclude that must
have refused Mr.. Austin.
One year after this time Mr.. Ellwood
proposed to Gertrude, and they were mar
ried. She had always loved him, and that
love had been the cause of her illness Just
after our retnrn home. For she then had
learned from our father that he had pro-
posed to me and been rejected.
have had some very excellent offers of
marriage since that time, but had loved
once, and there could be no second love
for me. 1t was my own fault if my love
had been unfortunate. Marriage was not
for me. l could not give my hand when
there was no heart to 90 with it.
And now, Matte, you have listened to
long, stupid story, which you wonld never
have heard, had it not been for my eyre
gious folly of Q few mornings since. Ibid
not think should have experienced such
emotion upon seeing him after the lapse of
SO many years. After all, am not sure
it was himself; only, perhaps, striking
likeness. And now let Us go to the chill
dren; they will begin to hate Cousin Car
oline if she keeps mamma so much from
them.
"One moment" Caro-" said her cousin,
drawing her back again upon her chair.
I" 1t aOas Mr. Austin whom we saw at the
academy" And then Mrs. Grey related
her meeting with him at the evening party,
which circumstance she had for reasons of
her own kept from her cousin until the
present time.
Miss Fenton was very much surprised,
exclaimipg repeatedly, 6 1t is very strange
1t is very strange! I" Then breaking from
her cousin, she hastened to her own room.
where, locking herself in, she spent the
day alone.
Six O'Clock that evening found the two
ladies seated in the drawing-room awaiting
the arrival of the expected guest. Soon
there were quick footsteps coming up to
the outer door, when key turned in the
lock. There was hesitation of a moment
in the hall, laughing voices, then the door
opened and disclosed to the astonished
eyes of Miss Fenton the we'll remembered
form of Girard Austin!
She did not faint or cry out. She had
all day been schooling herself that she
would be likely to meet him some time.
1t had come sooner than she expected, but
she would be true to herself
Fortunately for her, in bis first greetings
with Mrs. Grey, he had not recognized
her, And when he did turn toward her,
she was able to receive Lin with a smiling
cOmpOsure, which occasiOned her cousin
great surprise.
Not SO was he. Recognizing her i'm
mediately, he cried out. " Caroline!"
clasped her proffered hand in both of his,
stood for moment speechless before her,
then turned away abruptly, and walked to
the open window.
Mrs. Grey smiled very pleased, tri-
umphant smile; her husband opened his
eyes wide with astoEishment and pursed
up his lips as though about to whistle;
whilst Miss Fenton quietly resumed her
crocheting, and commenced counting
stitches. At this moment. fortunately,
dinner was announced
MIR. Austin, with stammering apology,
offered his arm T., his hostess and led her
out to dinner, Mr. Grey following with
Miss Fenton.
The dinner passed Off as these things
generally do. ltwas success in the cul-
mary line, and the small company who
sat around the board endeavored to rem
der themselves very agreeable to each
other. Still, it was little stiff; and the
evening, which was passed in the drawing
room, dragged heavily, and at an early
hour Mr.. Austin took his leave. His host
accompanied him Hospitality to the door.
where the two gentlemen remained in con-
versatiOn for some moments.
On bis return to the drawing.room Mr.
Grey threw himself back in his chair
laughing heartily. "Such good Joke on
you, CarOline! he exclaimed. 1Austin
thought all the time that you were mar
ried, and at the door asked me where vour
husband was. could scarcely make him
believe me that it was Gertrude who was
Mrs. Ellwood, and not Caroline. And
when at last be came to believe me, he
wrung my hand almost of, as he thanked
me Tor the information. / don't UNDER
stand it at all, he added, s'but Matte
looks as though she had made discovery
OF romance in real life.'"
The following morning at most un-
fashionably early hour Mr.. Austin's card
was sent up to Miss Fenton, and, as on
previous occasion, the servant said, He
only asked for Miss Caroline" "Miss
Care lines - heart beat tumultuouly as she
descended the stairs, but she was out
wardly calm as she entered the drawing