The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-08-30
Alice Pennington's Engagement.

raised her eyes from the velvet of her prayer
book; but the soft halfdefned smile PLAYED around
her mouth, and the faint blush that arose her Cheek
as he whispered something in her ear, evidence
enough of her happiness. When they seated in
her mothers pew-she was the only child of my old
friend, Mrs Pennington-I had better opportunity of
observing him. / did not think him handsome until
he fixed his eyes upon me. They were very like
pair | had not seen for fveandtwenty years, and ]
thought never TO see such again.
Dear Miss Madeline" said a soft voice behind me,
while hand gently touched my shoulder, the ser
vice ended, and we were leaving the church. "Dear
Miss Madeline, how do you do?n and Alces two
bling hands were clasped in mine. She had been away
SIX months, and herjoy at greeting each familiar face,
seemed very great.
''Ah, runaway" said ], 81 thought you would come
back to us bye-and-byen
She blushed very much and introduced 'Mr Maltby."
could scarcely return his bow and smile. The name,
the extraordinary likeness-coud it be his son?
DO not forget your mother's message Alice, said
he, in tones ~ like those Of former years, that they
seemed to break down the barrier Of long past time,
| that stood between me and happiness.
"Mamma wants you very much to spends few weeks
with Us" And she looked up my face soinnocently,
! and with her sweet chidIke voice, pleaded, Don't
say no. dear Miss Madeline it will be such pleasure
TO u.s." And So before knew rightly what had hap
pened, had consented to their sending for me the
next day. and bid them goodbye at my little gate.
The old time rushed over me with such force, that
4
had parted, on that lovely summer evening, with Rod
erick Maltby.
Tears, large, free drops, began to fall quickly upon
my folded hands but pressed them back and entered
my lonely house.
Mrs Pennington received me alone the next morn
ing, as with the best of slender wardrobe that had
accompanied me many former visit, entered
again under the shadow of her roof Alice had gone
to walk she said, and carried off to her dressing
room for the pleasant chat, which, old friends,
enjoyed so much
Does not my little Alice look happy?" she asked
fondly with the privilege of old acquaintanceship
at length broached the subject which knew just then
lay nearest her heart.
"Yes, very" ! replied. Inwardly adding, Good
grant it may last" And Mr. Matby is everything We
could wsh' She spoke eagerly, aud her face flushed
as she continued
Madeline, do YOU not see resemblance in him to
the Roderick Maltby we used to know long agos" Nv
heart trembled within me- aud could not give utter
ance to the words my lips
My friend" said Mrs. Pennington, gently casping
my hand SIS it possible that after 50 many wears you
still" she hesitated, and did reply, but arose
and walked to the open window. Alice and Mr. Maltby
returning the lawn her white dress huter
ing in the breeze that bore their gay voices TO our
ears. She look up and smiled, whilst Mr.
'Maby raised his hat. We down to the drawing
room to meet them. Mrs. Pennington's eye beaned
iondIy on them as they entered, Alice few 20 me
with her ch!d-like, cordial manner We sat down on
the sofa in the old confidential way
II shall be perfectly happy, tomorrow" said she
nesting her head against my shoulder
Are you not already, Acc?" She bnshed and
glanced shyy Mr.. NalsbY who stood leaning on the
back Of Mrs Pennngtons chair
But Pauline Ardnois is coming tomorrow, and she
is the dearest friend | have. o! Miss Madeline |
want you and Roderiek to her. She is the love
liest-n
What Alice! going through the catalogue of your
friends charms asaiu:" said Mr. Naltby he crossed
the room and drew chair DO you know,
Miss Moore, she talks Of nothing else; am very inn
patient this paragon"
You need not hugh said Alice, pouting, whilst be
mschievously asked her "how many yards long her
hair was.H
Hush! hear carriage Maybe it is Pauline nown
Alice clasped her hands nervonsly, as with a sweep
and rush it rounded the barn and stopped at the
door.
Speak of angels and you hear their wings" This-
pared Mr.. Maltby Alice ran into the hall. There
hustle, followed by cry of delight, and in few
moments Alice returned with small dark, graceful
figure by her side. Mrs Pennington welcomed her
cordially the friend Of her only child, and she re-
turned our salutations with the ease Of q French.
woman.
Alice had not overdrawn her picture Of Pauline
Ardnois. Her face perfect in repose, and when
she spoke, smiled and raised her eye Itself gem,
she more beautiful than any thing had ever i'm
agned
The dav sped on Pauline became the light of the
fascinated with her wit, and onr hearts with
her exquisite beauty. She like brilliant fire fly,
harmless doubt, but which one had rather not ham
die, fearing it might burn.
Alice very happy. The rose that used only to
visit her cheek Al intervals was constantly there
but strange fancy had entered my head and whenever
looked her, a feeling of sadness came over me
One day Alice was kept in bed by severe headache.
Pauline was reading to her when l in and then
Alice sent her down stairs to practice Il do not hear
the piano. said Alice after long silence, during which
had kept very quiet thinking her asleep.
"Can you hear with the doors closed?'
90 yes" Another long silence, and by her regular
breathing, | knew Alice slept. wanted book that
had been reading in the drawingroom the day before
Noiseessv descended the stairs The drawing room
door was closed pushed open and stood transfxed
on the Threshold Pauline sitting on the music
STOOL her elbow resting the piano, and her head
her hand At her feet knet Roderick Maltby grasping
the other hand. Pauline me, half uttered an ex |
cIamation and then laughing loudly, che cried, II am
teaching Hr. Maltby how it is right and proper for
man to make love Miss Madeline Doesn't he act
wel?' Mr. Matby crimsoned, ana, sammering some
thing, rose to lis feet.
'You de it beautifully, both Of you, said l. looking
on the table for the book-a volume Of Bvron-a
present from Alice to Mr Maltby 1t was not there |
hut lay half Upcn the floor, beside pauiuv Mr |
Maltby politely picked it up and, he handed it to
me, gave him glance that made him turn quickly |
away
rs Pauline practising yeti"
''Yes my love How do you feo?'
Better, thank you.n
''Wll you have this boob?"
Alice ungudly put forth her hand and TOOK it. A
slip Of paper fell out crushed it in my hand. Some
thing warned me that she must not see 1t. | walked
to the window, that might read it unseen BY her
For thine eye, dark-esed one" was written at the
Top, and beloW few short verses, evidently original
and in Rodercks handwriting, about forbidden love,
and unhappinesS, and so forth. Was AceS lot to be
like mine? God forbid!
than she did that evening. Her headache had passed
away, and her spirits were very good
pauline, won't you sing something's"