Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-08-04

to each other.
At length, after seeing my luggage oil
right. | took my seat, and then asked IN
the politest manner for permission to take
the reins.
ooh no thank you Cousin, she replied,
with provoking smile playing about her
we'll formed mouth Il am rather fond OF
driving; besides you do not know the way
rs well as do, and these poniesa are apt to
become restive sometimes;s so l think l
had better keep my post till We get home.
Imerely bowed in acquiescence, though
| did not exactly like her little speech, and
the next moment we wero going ut terri
BILE speed along q broad, winding path
which led through nm extensive park, be-
yond which on slight ominenco stood
Marston Hall
"See, there's our house, through the
trees, right in front of us! 1t stands on a
lonelyspot, does it not ?" asked my fair
companion.
every secluded, replied lNconically re-
membering the determination had made
about falling in love.
"Well, weshall be there in few min
utes, said she, ''and rejoice to think that
however fatiguing our drive may provo you
will not have exhausted yourself with con-
vetsation,"
"Hang it," thought I, '1his is right
down impertinence, though almost de-
serve it. BY Jove she takes things eX-
quisitely cody" However smiled and
said had been trying to take flying glance
at the splendid scenery.
She gave short merry laugh Ns she re-
piled, 'thnt's exactly what I've been doing
for want of other occupation, but Mt this
speed one cannot observe much.
"Thera you are right, said |, sand if
we were in any other place we should GER
tainly bo fined for fast driving"
''By the way, are you fondof driving p
asked my cousin abruptly.
''WelI- yes, said l with somo hesita-
ton, "but am not bold horseman."
Il am sorry to hear that" she continued
with evident interest, 'for it is an exercise
of which am passionatoly fond. delight
in good tight run across country, for
nothing raises my spirits half 80 much.
But see, papa is looking at us through the
dining-room window, and John is waiting
to take charge of the ponies, so you must
be ready to alight the instant stop"
In another instant my eccentric, not to
say yincomprehensible cousin, did stop, and
| alighted as quickly as possible, but not
without losing my balance, and wondering
what could be the meaning Ofsuch unseem-
ly haste.
Throwing the reins TO tho servant my
cousin followed me, but with such agility
that / scarcely noticed the glance which
fell upon me from her laughing blue eyes
but stood before the entrance to tho fine
old mansion expecting to have tho pleasure
Of giving her my hand.
"Why did you not permit me to assist
yon?' ! asked.
"Simply because l made mp my mind
some time ago never TO give any gentleman
more trouble than / could help" she re-
piled with q peculiar smile.
AS she finished speaking the door open
ed, and Uncle Jeremy, his venerable ply
siognomy beaming with kindlinOss and
good humor, came forward to meet us,
giving me hearty welcome to Marston
Hall.
Feeling however, dissatisfied with my
self. and not over-ploased with my cousin,
1 took the earliest opportunity Of retiring
to my room, as much TO collect my scatter
cd thoughts rs TO dress for dinner.
"Shes O strange, unaccountable girl
thought ], surveying the neat and elegant
chamber, which had been prepared for my
reception, "but am astonished ut find
ing so masculine and unladyliko in her
manners and behavior. Why, pom my
conscience she doports herself more like
young fox-hunter than agentleman's daugh-
ter" Then stood gazing at tho beauti-
ful scene before me. stretching far away
rs the eye could reach, and finally dismiss
scd my cousin from my thoughts with the
consolatory reflection that the chances wero
very remote of my ever falling in love with
one who appeared to delight more in man
ly sports than in womanly duties.
Soon after dinner my uncle related the
cause Of his long estrangement from my
father, and the manner in which they be-
came reconciled, concluding with ain eX-
preston of sincere regret that tho misun-
derstanding had not been consigned to OBJ
long before, and however much felt in
clined to find fault with the odd ways of
my cousin, could not help admirng my
uncle's candor, and good feeling. In fact
dismissed the subject from my mind, I'M
der the conviction that, like most family
jars there had been fault on both sides
had now been guest at Marston Hall
nearly three weeks; during which time /
had made myself familiar with the sur
rounding country, invariably joining my
cousin in her long rides, drives, out-of-the-
way rambles, and strange TO say tho first
few days suiliced to makous good friends.
For soon perceived that she by no means
answered my first description, but on the
contrary possessed many good qualities,
which in spite of my bachelor preiudices /
could not help approving, though could
never find courage enough TO indicate such
approval in words, until so far forgot my
self as to express my surprise, in o saunter-
ing tone, that 80 accomplishedand delight
full companion had not host of beaux at
her feet.
"Sir' she exclaimed in voice and with
a glance that made mo decidedly uncom-
Portable, 81 do not like triaing. 1t is
wrong and foolish in our sex, but in yours
it is simply uncomfortable. Flirting is not
and never can be love, might indeed
have many admirers, like other young la
dies Of my acquaintance but l do not want
them. No, cousin, when acknowledge an
admirer the feeling must bo mutual.
"If have offended you myd dear cousin,
said /, "surely you will not refuse your for
giveness ?"
"You have not offended me, "she replied;
"only / wish You TO understand that feel
strongly and think deeply on the subject Of
your remark, and therefore cannot suffer
tho advances of lovers whom can neither
respect for their wisdom nor esteem
for their goodness" Then, in n
light satirical tone, she added "But in
truth do not think shall accept an offer,
however tempting, for long time yet. /
lovemy own way cousin. ] like liberty
and admire independence. In short am
such on odd, queer person 80 very unsenti-
mental in my conversation with young gen
tlemon, that / verify sometimes believe
shall enjoy tho exquisite pleasure of dying
an old maid"
On hearing this confession laughed out.
right,