The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1869-11-25

W no did her spiriting gently, without
pr ofessing much belief in it herself,
and always ready TO laugh heartily
With others at the result whenever Gas
sometimes happened) it was an unmiti-
e ated failure This evening the ex-
pertinent had been tried several times
with more than usual success; and sun
dry hypercritical spectators. avcrred
Miss Simpson had made great many
lucky guesses.
"Well, now," said Cartwright, "tbat
is not fair on Miss Simpson. Here is
the writing of a person whom nobody
present-not even myself-has ever
seen. Miss Simpson shall try again
with it, and will bet you all that: she
guesses right"
He drew a letter from his pocket, and
the young lady, after crumpling it for
a moment in her hand, said, hesitating-
ly,-
"This is a woman's writing"
"Right!" said Cartwright.
ga married woman, said Miss Simp-
son, more boldly.
"Righ again. Any childrenl'
"No."
"Quite right. Married long, ehl"
"About three months, ] think"
"W onderful!" exclaimed Cartwright.
at is just three months and nine days"
Mr.. Ackland looked up, and looked
and fidgeted in his chair.
go Cartwright" cried Judge Griffin,
"tbat won't do" You put her leading
questions
"Well, let her go on by herself, .
said Cartwright.
lie had noticed John Ackland's
movements, and was looking hard at
his New England guest Mr. Ack-
land blushed again, and turned away
his face,
"But she is not at all happy" said
Miss Simpson, musingly.
"The devil she's not" cried Cart
wright "but It was love match, was
MT it?"
81 think So" replied Miss Simpson,
after a pause, and doubtfully.
"Ny withers are unwrung," said
Cartwright, looking round. 81 swear
l never saw the lady in my life."
"Does she care more for somebody
else already, ma'am, than for her hus-
bandl" asked the Judge.
"More, yes, replied Miss Simpson,
"mnch, no. She must be a strange
character Not much feeling for any
one, / should say, except for herself
She Tilted him."
"Whom?" demanded all the listeners
together
Il don't know But now | fancy she
half regrets him. There is a strange
feeling about this letter"
pheasant for poor Mordent." mGt-.
tered Cartwright.
John Ackland sprAng to his feet He
was not red this time, but frightfulIy
pale, and trembling violently.
"The letter. the letter." he cried, and
seized the hand of Miss Simpson. The
young lady started at bis touch
go Mr.. Ackland!" she cried, "why
did nobody stop me? l never dreamed
that it was you" But already John
Ackland had left the room.
The next day Cartwright sought out
his guest (Mr. Ackland had not reap
peared in the drawing during the
rest of that evening", and expressed his
regret for the painful incident Of the
preceding night.
IL had no idea you were even ac-
quainted with Mrs. Mordent," he said.
'But how do you happen to be ac-
quainted with her ?" asked John Ack-
land.
"Shictly speaking" he said, 81 am
not acquainted withher. Mordent and
were schoolfellows at West Point
He wrote to me some time ago inform
ing me of his engagement TO Miss Ste
vens; and, as l anticipated be.
ing absent from Virginia about
that time, / wanted him and hi
bride TO pass their honeymoon at Glen.
oak. also asked him to send me Q
portrait of the future Mrs. M. have
portraits of all my friends wives. A
fancy of mine. He declined the invi
tation but sent me portrait, accompan,
led by pretty little line from the lady
herself. That is what placed in Miss
Simpsons hands last night; and l as,
sure you that is all ! know ofMrs. Nor
dent"
John Ackland's impatience to leave
Glenoak was now, however, excessive
"Every time," he said to himself, 'thst
| must face again the people in thi'
house is intolerable pain TO me-"
Cartwright said to him that il resolv-
ed on so hasty a departure, he need no
return to Richmond, "By going acros
country" he said, "you will save a long
days journey, and catch the Charleston
coach at -, which is nearer her
than Richmond. l can send your lug
gage on by the cart this morning, an,
lend you horse to ride there this al
ternoon. We will dine early, and
you start from here on horseback q
four o'clock, you will be at - betor
nightfall, and a good hour before tn
coach is due there. | will be you
guide across the plantation, and pu
YOU on your road to -, which yo
cannot possibly miss. would gladl
accompany you the whole way thither
if / had not some business with m