Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-07-28

| L merely bowed in acquieseence, though
| did not exactly like her little speech, and
the next moment we were going at terri
| bic speed along broad, winding path
which led through an extensive park, be-
yond which on slight eminence stood
/ Marston Hall
''See, there's our house, through the
trees, right in front of usl It stands on a
llonelyspot, does it not p asked my fair
companion.
every secluded, ] replied laconically re-
lmembering the determination [ had made
about falling in love-
F'Well, we shall be there in a few min-
utes, said she, 'and [ rejoice to think that
however fatiguing our drive may prove you
will not have exhausted yourself with con
versation
''Hang it, thought |, ffhis is right
down impertinence, though [ almost de-
serve it. BY Joye I! she takes things ex-
quisitely cody" However [ smiled and
said had been trying TO take a flying glance
at the splendid scenery.
| She gave short merry laugh as she re-
piled, 'sthat's exactly what I've been doing
| for want of other occupation, but at this
speed one cannot observe much
There you are right, said T. 'Eand if
we were in any other place we should GER
talnly be fined for fast driving"
by the way, are you fond of driving ?"
asked my cousin abruptly.
| ''Well- yes, said | with some hesita-
tion, ''but [ am not bold horseman. '''
| Il am sorry to hear that" she continued
with evident interest, ''for it is an exercise
OF which am passionately fond / delight
in good tight run across country, for
nothing raises my spirits half so 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 incomprehensibe cousin, did stop, and
[ alighted as quickly rs possible, but not
without losing my balance, aud wonderir Q
what could be the meaning ofsuch unseen
ly haste.
| Throwing the reins to the servant my
cousin followed me, but with such agility
that l scarcely noticed the glance which
fell upon me from her laughing blue eyes
but stood before the entrance 10 the fine
old mansion expecting to have the pleasure
of giving her my hand.
| ''Why did you not permit me to assist
yon?" asked. a eds
| SsSimply because made up my mind
some time ago never to give any gentleman
more trouble than [ could help" she re-
iplied with q peculiar smile.
As she finished speaking the door OPEN
ed, and Uncle Jeremy, his venerable ply
lsiognomy beaming with kindliness and
good humor, came forward to meet us,
giving me hearty welcome to Marston
Hail.
Feeling however, dissatisfied with my
self. and not over pleased with my cousin.
. a1sIa
to my room rs much to collect my scatter
ed thoughts as to dress for dinner
''She's a strange, unaccountable girl
thought |, surveying the neat and elegant
chamber, which had been prepared for my
reception, ''but 1 am aStoniShed at find
Ling SO masculine and unladyliks in her
manners and behavior. Why, 'pon nv
conscience she deports herself more like a
young fOx-hunter than a gentleman's daugh-
ter" Then 1 stood gazing at the beauti-
fIl scene before me. stretching far away
as the eye could reach and finally dismis-
sed my cousin from my thoughts with the
consolatory reflection that the chances were
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
came recOnciled, concluding with an ex-
preston of sincere regret that the 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 admiring IN Y
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 a 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 the first
few days sufficed to make us good friends
For I 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 prejudices [
| could not help approving, though [ could
never lind courage enough to indicate such
approval IN words, until [ SO far forgot N.Y.
self as to express my surprise, in a saunter-
ing tone, that so accomplished and delight
ful companion had not q host of beaux at
her feet.
''Sir'' she exclaimed in voice and with
a glance that made me decidedly uncom-
Portable, 81 do not like trifing. It 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 [ do not want
them. No, cousin, when [ acknowledge an
admirer the feeling must be mutual"
eff have offended you my dear cousin,
4
giveness p
'You have not offended me, " she replied
"only [ wish you to understand that / fee
strongly and think deeply on the subject oi
your remark, and therefore cannot suffer
the advances of lovers whom | can neither
respect for their wisdom nor esteem
for their goodness" Then, in q
| light satirical tone, she added, "But III
truth [ do not think [ shall accept an offer,
however tempting, for long time yet /
love my own way, cousin / like liberty
and admire independence. In short, am
such an odd, queer person so very unsenti-
mental in my conversation with young gen
tlemen, that [ verify sometimes believe ]
shall ENJOY the exquisite pleasure of dying
an old maid"
On hearing this confession laughed out
right.
| VI eouisc you AIty latl5n, sr, and so
may L; but that won't increase my pros
poets of marriage" she added smilinglv.
'Egad, Fred was right thought /; ssshe
really is splendid girl 81 felt my love of
bachelorhood growing less. Now if she
was only tender, delicate and sympathizing
at home. instead of being so partial to
horses, L would forswear my determination
not to make fool of myself. But tush
why should give way TO such nonsense
III think no more about her"
"Hallo cousin, have you fallen into q
brown study through abmiring The color OF
your nag?" said my companion, with one OF
her short, merry laughs
'No-no-that isl was Just absent for
the moment l stammered out
Doubtless present in spirit with some
fair but distant object, she observed, again
! Lon l., L., ] q,