The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-11-04
that gentlemau's eyes wandered and ap-
parently his thoughts followed them,
for it seemed difficult task to keep

that gentleman's eyes wandered and al
parently his thoughts followed then
for it seemed a difficult task to kee
pace with the string Of little specche
she poured into his distracted car. Ok
casionally he would become cousojou
Of bis own want Of gallantry, and rally
ing, would smile and bow and prcsen
an attentive face, bat this undivide
mood would last but for a moment, an
then his thoughts would play him falls
and wander once more. :. ~. T., 2: -.
His sister was more fortunate. Sh
had enchained Mr.. Frank to her side
and appeared perfectly satisfied viii
her conquest. Her face glowed radian
with triumphant smiles, and her laugl
rang softly like silver bell. Tom look
ed from one party to the other with
curious expression Of faco; at times
sense Of humor glowed and Frightened
above every other fee'iug-then a,
annoyed look of modification and hoo
est shame spread a quick flush owe,
his cheek, aud ho idgetted nervouslJ
in his seat. At.lene.h be rose, and go
ing rsar bis brother Frank, stopped
close beside the divan on which M;ss
Isabel and he were resting aftor a
waltz.
~"Uncle Wood'eigh win be here to.
morrow" he said, without a word Of
preparation N or introduction. tsTh,s
time he heralds his approach, and in a
note to me announces his determination
to be with US at that time"
Frank turned quickly at the news
and changed color slightly, while Tom
Fenley, who had ears for every scrap Of
gossip that tloated around him, hurried
over, saying
"What's that? Uncle Wood!eigh,
did you sayy Dear me, how uofortan-
ate for you?"
"Why unfortunate 2" said Frank, has
tily, and with flushed face. ri am
my own master and acknowledge no
control. Pray, Miss Barretto, let me
insist on this mazourka, ,Iit is such treat
to dance in with one who understands
it as you d." So he whirled her
away, and Tom Fenlcy laughed in Tom
Loder's face.
"1t's settled" he said ; "the old gen.
tlcman will 6nd helse)f overrea ,hed en-
tirely."
"Pelhaps you may mean we'll in this
business, Fenley, but doubt it, said
Tom, atoat!y; "and if my brother
trusts you, he'll find himself in pretty
mess-so I sh Ill tell him."
But Tom bad told him 10 already,
without the least effect, and he now
oortented himself with saying no more
on the subject, but awaiting the result.
1t came in cu,ious way, directly
under his own notice. The new cur
tains were rich and full, and hung from
aeor' to ceiling around the bay window
II the further end Of the room .under
their shelter Tom retired, feeling pro.
vokiugly out ofhis element, aud bafaed:
in an opportunity to whisper coausel 10
his busy mother. While ho sat there,
Esther came and dropped into chair
just before him, but entirely uncon
scicus Of his neigbborhood. In a mo-
ment Frank came and stood beside her,
q picture of trepidation and excitement
he had just resigned the lady Of his
devotion to Tom Fcoley for quadrille,
and now presented himself, breathing
hard and changing complexion with
every word.
"Esther," he said, excitedly. ~
have seen for weeks past that you dis
like aud avoid me, that you are deter
mined to look en- our silly little com.
pct nonsense, end I am willing at
any sucri6co to free you rather than
make you unhappy. Mr.: Barretto has
spoken to me as your eldest cousio-he
adores you, and is coming new to plead
bis own cause" With that he sudden
~ presented the blushing Cuban, who
having made his escape from tho tolls
ofthe intrepid Caroline, eagerly regard
ed the astonished youog lady and bow
ed. low before her. :. ..
Il do not understand you,'' she said,
and rose up With dignity. ''Mr. Bar
zetto, 7 beg you will not speak. Frank,
you must be plain. I canoot follow
your meaning otherwise" ~, a.: -:
f'l have noth'ng to say, murmured
the faithless fellow, in dire confusion.
II thought is, I saw that my
presence was not agreeable to you, ond
I have tried to-that IS, .I-pleaso to
overlook further allusion to the subject
we are cousins and friends, aud that
is. enough am contented to SEQ you
happy. Let US be fr,cnds." He held
out his haod-but she only continued
her quiet gozc, before which he retired,
speechless'y overcomc-and the fascln-,
ated stranger took his place. Every
of admiration at his COM
maud aud vow of devotion to be reduced
to language be laid at her feet, and de-
clariug: that she completely occupied
and reigned over his heart, laid that
organ aud his hand at her feet and
waited Ia hear her accontanco Poor