The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-10-28

sho felt attention quickly arrested Al
concentrated on that yoang lady. 81
had wrought her features up into qui
an expression of alertness and interes
and with her eyes fixed on MI. Ba
retto, was following the narrative Of b
exploits by land and sea with an j,
tentness that was perfectly startling (
one who knew her languid stupidity i
the past.
1t was so entirely out of her way t
rouse herself intoactiou or design, tha
her cousin could only gazo in blan
amazement. In no wise incommode
by her pa|pablo astonishmcnt, Carri
proceeded to be charmed AID ejaculat'
little sentences of admiration al
through the recital.
II think you would like to tr,vel.'
said Mr.. Barretto, smiling pleasantly
in return for the attention she hac
given him. "Would not you?" be
asked Miss Grover.
II don't know, really" said Esther
oandidIy. "You sec, never left home
tor an hour even. and l think one Can
only judge of their tastos after they are
formed"
Mr.. Barretto smiled again ; he was
evidently a gentleman who would be
pleased with almost anything a pretty
woman SAID, and it was equally evident
that he regarded Miss Grover in that
light.
Miss Loder seemed perfectly salts
lied With the devotion he showed her,
and accepted his arm aud promenaded
tho rooms with the air of making con-
quest. She surpassed herself in keep
ing up the vivacity she had assumed,
and laughed aad danced away the eve.
ning with ecstatic delight in her cap
tive. Not entirely to the satisfaction
OF that gentleman himself, it would ap-
pear, from the glances with which he
followed Miss Esther Grover, who,
thrown entirely on her cousin Toms
politeness, waltzed with him and talked
with him, and really passed so happy an
evening that it came to close all too
soon for her own gay spirits.
Mrs. Loder was whispering 10 her
ear as they made their way to the
dressing. room.
"You must go with me to make
call on the Barrettos," she said. "say
something agreeable to them, please.
l cannot trust Carrie, she's so unused
to doing anything Of the kind. Ask
them to visit US familiarly. You know
how to do it properly and without ap-
parent effort"
"But I think Carrie is the right one
to say that; and Frank, Of ooorae, will
do it best Of all. Tom has never gone
near them since their introduction"
"Oh, he's so horribly contrary. No
one can induce him to do anything fer
the sake Of mere agreeability.'
But to her mothers astonishment,
Carrie, with unexpected dignity, STEP
ped forward and volunteered to do the
bonors of the house, by Offering its hos
pitalities to her new friends.
"Pray let US see you in Arch street. (
shall be so glad to compare your ex-
oerience with some choice engravings
We have. Brother Frank has exquisite
aste in pictures, ond has really gem
II two of his cwn."
Miss Isabel pressed forward and
oined her brother in expressing their
readiness to accept the invitation.
"You play, do you not, Miss Bar
retto7" asked Frank, who seemed de-
termiDed to ho'd his place at her side
to the last
eyes," said she; "that il, little,
but adore music"
"My cousin plays" said Frank, with
D strong emphasis On the name Of cou-
sin. Miss Barrctto turned towards her
at this allusion and smiled pleasantly,
as if to propitiate her confidence, but
somehow Miss Grover was not drawn
towards this new acquaintance, and
merely acknowledged the smile by a
ceremonious bow.
~ play little, too" said Carrie,
"and [ have nice collection of music.
Will you come soon-1 mean uncere-
moniously soon Of course ma and I
will call at once, and we'll send Peter
for you with the carriage when you tell
US that we may"
No wonder Esther started. There
was Go such thing as vehicle of any
kind in the Loders' possession, but the
bold thought Of dashing out suddenly
into the proprietorship Of an equip,ge
dawned on Carries mind, and the pos
sibility of hiring choise that might
pass for family carriage, and thus i'm
pose on the credulity and admiration Of
the Cubans.
A few words more Of complimenting
aud promising and they separated for
the night. The Loders all rode home
in the hack that had brought them,
except Tom, who preferred walking IN
company with his cigar.
Mr. Lodcr entered first, and Esther
followed. Frank spra"g in after his
mother aud took his place at her side,
leavinc Cnrr;a IN The nolitenesa IF the