The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-12-08


politest manner for permission to take tn
reins.
"Oh no, thank you Cousin" she replist
with a provoking smile playing about he
well formed mouth. II am rather fond o
driving; besides you do not know the wa,
as well as do, and these ponies are apt tt
become FESTIVE sometimes; so think hat
better keep my post until we get home"
merely bowed acqriescence, though
did not exactly like her little speech, ant
the next moment we were going at terri
Bile speed along broad, winding path which
led through an extensive park, beyond which
on slight eminence stood Marston HALL
"See, there's our house, through the trees
l right in front of us 1t stands on lonely
| spot, does it not? 2" asked my fair compan.
ion.
"Very secluded" replied, laconically re-
/ membering the determination had made
i about falling in love- fraf .
swell, we shall be there in a few minutes, N
said she, "and rejoice to think that how.
ever fatiguing our drive may prove you will
not have exhausted yourself with converse
tion.n
| "Hang it." thought /, "this is right down
impertinence, though I almost deserve it,
| By Jove she takes things exquisitely cool"
However, smiled and saying had been
trying to take flying glance at the splcn-
did scenery.
She gave short merry laugh as she re-
piled, 'that'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 /, land if we
II in M r,l,o aeho s,,1r
be fined for fast driving"
"By the way, are you fond of drivingl"
asked my cousin abruptly.
Well-yes," said 1, with some hesitation,
"but l am not bold horseman."
u 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 the country, for
| nothing raises my spirits half so much. But
see, papa is looking at us through the din
ing 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 excentric, not to say
incomprehensible cousin did stop, and l
alighted as quickly as possible, but not
without losing my balance, and wondering
what could be the meaning of such unseen.
ly haste.
Throwing the reins to the 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 the fine old
mansion expecting to have the pleasure OF
giving her my hand.
"Wby did you not permit me to assist
youa" asked
Simply because made up my mind some
time ago never to give any gentleman more
trouble than could help" she replied, with
a peculiar smile.
As she finished speaking the door opened,
and Uncle Jeremy, his venerable physiog-
nomy beaming with kindness and good
humor came forward to meet us, giving
me hearty welcome to Marston Hall.
Feeling, however, dissatisfied with myself |
and not over-pleased with my cousin, 1 |
took the earliest opportunity of retiring to
my room, as much to collect my scattered
thoughts as to dress for dinner
"Shes strange, unaccountable girl" |
thought l, surveying the neat and elegant |
chamber which had been prepared for my
reception, ''but 1 am astonished at finding
her so masculine and unlady-like in her
manners and behavior Why, upon my con-
science, she deports herself more like
young tox-hunter than gentleman's daugh-
ter" Then stood gazing at the beautiful
scene before me, stretching far away as the
eye could reach, and finally dismissing nv
cousin from my thoughts with the consola-
tory that the chances were very remote of
my ever falling in love with one who ap-
peared to delight more in manly sports than
in womanly duties
Soon after dinner my uncle related the
cause of his long arrangement from nv
father, and the manner in which they be-
came reconciled, concluding with an ex-
preston OF sincere regret that the misunde1-
standing had not been consigned to oblivion
long before; and however much I felt in
cllned to find fault with the odd ways of
my cousin, could not help admiring nv
uncle's candor and good-feeling. In fact I
dismissed the subject from my mind under
the conviction that, like most family lars.
there had been fault on both sides.
|
had now been guest at Marston Hall
nearly three weeks; during which time l
had made myself familiar with the SUR ound-
ing country, invariably joining my cousin
IN her long rides, drives, out-of-the-way
rambles, and strange to say the first few
days suffced to make us good friends. For
L soon perceived that she by no means ans
wered my first description, but on the con-
trary possessed many good qualities, which
IN spite OF my bachelor prejudices 1 could
not help approving, though 1 could never
lind courage enough to indicate such ap-
proVal In words, until so far forgot my
self as to express my surprise, in saunter-
ing tone, that so accomplished and delight
ful companion had not host Of beaux at
her feet.
Sir" she exclaimed in a voice and with
glance that made me decidedly uncom-
ortable, II do not like trifing. 1t is
wrong and foolish in our sex, but in yours ,
t is simply uncomfortable. Flirting is not
md never can be love, might indeed have !
many admirers, like other young ladies of i
ny acquaintance, but do not want them. !
No, cousin, when l acknowledge an admirer g
he feeling must be mutual"
"lf have offended YOU, nv dear cousin y G
aid L, surely you will not refuse your for
,iveness2"
You have not offended me-" she replied. /
only wish you to understand that / feel a
tronsiy and think deeply on the subject of L
our remark, and therefore cannot suffer the v
dvances of lovers whom can neither res
'ect for their wisdom nor esteem for their t
GOODNESS" Then, in light satirical tone. q
he added, "But in truth 1 do not think / i
hall accept an offer, however tempting, for i
long time yet. l love my own way, cou- Il
IN. like liberty and admire independence. b
short, l am such an odd, queer person, o
. very unsentimental in my conversation S
nth young gentlemen, that 1 verify some c.
mes believe l shall enjoy the exquisite Il
leasure of dying an old maid" f.
On hearing this confession 1 laughed out
ght. fl
"Of course you may laugh, sir, and so W
Iay l but that won't increase my prospects b.
marriage, :" she added sruilingiy d
Egad, Fred was right" thought I: "she ci
ally is splendid girl" 1 felt nv love of ii
scherlorhood growing less. "Now if she
as only tender, delicate and sympathizing al
home, instead of being so partial to hi
'rses, l would forswear my determination ra
1t to make fool of myself But tushl DE-
by should l give way to such nonsense
L think no more about herr ri
" Halo COUSIN, have you fallen into a ST,
own study through admiring the color of hi
ur nag 2" said my companion, with one of q
T short, merry laughs.
No-no-that isl was just absent for of
moment " stammered out. tb
" Doubtless present in spirit with some Sc
but distant object" she observed, again de
lgnlng louder and more merrily than be- hi,