The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1866-04-13

walked away with make. believe hduteWr.
l followed her ont from the comparative
gloom OF this part Of tho apartment into the
sunshine that flowed over the flowers and
climbing plants. A piano stood open, its
white keys cleaning.
Won't you play to me, Miss Wander
meyer ?" said.
No"
Excuse me--you are notmusical, thcnG'
Oh, yes, play well enough; but when
have people who can say anything, Id
rather talk.
So we talked and wotched her beauti.
ful face, wonderiligot its marvellous power
OF expression, admiring the exquisite
tinting OF check and lip, aud the splendid
gold OF her hair.
put her into q picture was at work on
that artornoon--it was Just the face | had
needed. Having this to 60, of cours, was
obliged 10 think of her more or less but
definitely decided to begin the next day to
forget her,
1t does SEEM however, os il everything
conspired to make one forget good reso.
luton. always did dislike combating OBJ
stacles, and when found that the Fates
were bent upon Keeping Miss Vandermeyer
in my mind, yielded, gracefully. hope,
out of town for the summer, and then
could apply myself to my business without
hndrance.
The months driftcd by. One day re.
ceived tiny note, rose-scehted, aud ad.
dressed in her own exquisite hand, She
lad gone 20 her country house at Staten
Island. Would como to dinner that even
ing ?--only friend or two, no ceremony,
moonlight and boating.
| went, taking late afternoon boat. The
red shining of the setting sun upon the
window rev called the house, roOmy, quaint
mansion, gsbled, and half hid by luxurian
trees. Miss Nandermeyer looked fresh and
lovely in her pure muslin, some iessOmine
sprays with waxen llowers-clinging about
her bright rippling hair.
81 knew you would come" she said, her
beautiful smiling eyes upon me. We on
ly wanted you to make up our party"
You are very kind. Whom have you
here?"
"Only my dear old guardian, Uncle Lake
man, you know--Nellie Damer, ard Mr..
Fred. Lacroit.'
Fred Lacroft?"
ooh, You don't know him but he's such
a good fellow"
1t was rot particularly delightful to hear
another man praised as good fellow by a
young lady---at least didn't find it so.
had no doubt that should hate Fred. La
croft. He was sure to be a detestable snob.
| felt that | had found the enemy of my
life. So accompanied Miss Vandermeyer
to the drawing room and thoro was the
impudent interloper, playing chess with
Mr. Lakeman with the most assured and at
home air imaginable.
"Mr Deafeld- Lacroft," said Miss
Nandcrmeyer.
| bowed, but scowled as iercely as
could. and was conscious of strong in
clination TO throw him out of the window.
Would you like game of chess while
wo are waiting Tor diuncr?' asked Miss
Nandermeyer.
No, thank You, responded morosely.
What-don't you like chess 2
think it does very well for boys" !
returned with a tremendous effort to be
sarcastic.
Miss 'yandermtyer flushed little, and
glanced shly at Mr.. Frederick I.acroft
hut that individual only strukcd his nous.
tache, and gave a low, mellow, good -natured
laugh-thus adding insult to injury. was
strongly tempted TO challenge him on the
spot.
A footman came in and announced dinner.
1t was served in a little vine. hung balcony,
opening toward the river. The soft, sum
mer air was all about us the moon was
rising Just over the water aud the birds
were singing goodnight in the tall dark
tree.tops close by. 1t ought to have been
dehcious-but somehow it wasn't. Miss
Nellie Damer was placed beside me- a
young lady with face like e wax doll pink
cheeks, blue eyes, and little rings of yellow
hair lying on her white forehead-a style of
teauty that dou't admire. could however,
have forgiven her looks if she would have
let me alone. But the creature would talk
which was very aggravating, considering
that most animatedFbyeplay was going on
between Miss Vandermeyer and that de-
testable Lacroft, which could not catch
without giving it my closest attention. He
laughed a good deal. He seemed to find
things very amusing. | took my dinner in
silence.
made one or two discoveries before we
left the table. had always thought Miss
Vendermeyer's uncle rather a nice old gen
tleman; but / now perceived that he was
am old fogy with rubicund nose, who ate
like gOurmand.
When dinner was over, Miss Wander.
meyer proposed a row up the river. Every
body acquiesced. Lacroft and took the
oars but il was Lacroft who took Miss
Vandermeyers shawl, aud wrapped it ten
derly about her.
You can't sit there Margaret" he said.
Margaret, indeed
"No," she answered, with little wilful
shake of the land, "rll sit here" And
she sat down close by me.
Then had my revenge. Lacroft was
forced to play the agreeable to Miss Damer.
He did it with very good grace, but
could imagine his feelings. That little hour
atoned for my misery. She was beside me
her beautiful eyes looking into mine, her
soft voice singing low songs for my pleas
ure. Then undertook to teach her to row.
Delightful pastime it was to see her little
white hands trying to work the clumsy oar.
So, over those silver waves we rowed to
the landing, overshadowed by the huge old
trees that grew close to the rivers brim,
aud lying in deep gloom. While held the
boat fast to the wharf, Lacroft sprang out
to assist the ladies'. In an instant was
cnrsing his awkwardness, for there was a
quick, frightened cry, and knew that it
was Miss VaDdermeyer who had slipped
and fell into the black water. 1t was only
a moments work to throw off my coat aud
plunge after her. All, how thankful was
when my darings white face came TO the
top of the water-a long, way of, swept
away By the tide, but not beyond my reach
after a few swift. stI ong strokes.
They were all wild w:th JOY, when laid
her dripping and half fainting on the tpIfy
Il