Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1870-01-12

begOne," said Tyler. mo doubt it is
from your lady-lOve! Why didn't I
think Of this before? Here is a pleasant
seat, near the pilOt-hOuse. Now read to
your hearts content, and when yOU have
finished the delightful task, I will take
pleasure in presenting you to the ladies'.
With a gay laGgh, the light-hearted
Tyler joined the merry group at the
stern Of the boat.
''MaTy MeTidethp ~ murmUFed Went
worth, as he finished reading the last
clause of his sisters letter. Miss Addie,
YOU are rightri as a scOrnful smile light
ed his handsome features. "The blood
of the Wentw0rths shall never be sullied
by any act of 'cOndeseensiOn on my part
No sister; Miss Mary Merideth can new
er be Mrs. Charles Wentworth ~
He rose from his seat, and was about
returning the letter to its envelope. As
he was folding it, the strong breeze,
caused by the motion Of the boat, caught
the light sheet and waited it along the
deck. Before Wentworth could reach it,
another current of air carried it over the
side of the vessel.
"Gone eglimmering? hallOed Tom Ty-
/ Ter, who had been Observing his friend,
and saw his discounted gaze as it fol-
lowed the flying missive. Reckoning
Wentworth toward him, he continued:
"COme, Mr.. Wentworth, allow these Ia
dies and myself to. tender our sympa-
thy.p
While Tyler and his companions are
cOndoling with Wentworth for the loss
of his letter, we, kind reader, will take a
peep into one of the stateroOms below.
A girl Of about eighteen summers is
standing before a small mirror, aTrang-
! ing in a coquettish manner, the curls
that fall in rich prOfUsiOn about her
bright young face.
''GoOd gracious me V' she exclaimed,
| inpatiently throwing down a small hair
brush. Then giving a deep yawn, she
said: tfWhat am I to do with myself
during this trip? No acquaintance on
board but plain uncle Billy! Not book
or even a newspaper to beguile the te-
diOUs hours Nothing with which to
amUse nlyselfP'
She turned a despairing look out upon
the river. At that very instant, a piece
of paper, floating in the air, attracted
her attention. Slowly but surely it de-
scended, fiuttered a second, and then fell
directly at the feetOf the young girl, who
adinvoluntarily stepped from her state
room to the outer guard.
''Fhis is fine p she thought "a real
gOdsend to meW
She stopped and picked up the friend
ly-lOOking sheet; for, if paper can wear
an expression, it looked as fit desired to
make her acquaintance.
"I shall fancy myself in fairyland,
wishing, like a fOrlOrn princess, for some
thing to turn up Orelieve my present is
Olated condition; and, in the midst Ofmy
cOgitations, 10 here is a letter from the
clouds! It may however, only have fall
len from the upper deck. At any rate, I
will see; and she turned the embossed,
gilt-edged sheet over. ftHUnlph It
would take a smarter person than I am
to tell to whom it belongs. No enyel-
Ope, no pOstmark, no address; not even
a date by which to trace the rightful
owner! 1t is doubtless intended espec-
tally for me; and, coming in such a
Questionable shape I viii waive all
scruples, and read it."
How the warm blood came and went
on the fair, beautiful face, as the girl
read these words:
"DEAR CHARLEY:-BIy deep affection
for you prompts this letter. There is a
plot laid for your destruction for / can
call it bynO other name. Brother Ned's
wife informs me that her sister, Miss
Mary Merl0eJl, VIII De mere IN IeW
days; at which time she intends giving
splendid party, for the double purpose
of bringing gherpeHniless sister out and en-
trapping you. Thanks to my keen per-
ceptiOns, I am enabled to see through
her schemes. I was simple enough, at
the first blush, to think it was all right
for Laura to have a party; but when
she began, in her sickening, affected
way, to talk about how fortunate it was
that Charley would be at home, and how
delighted Mary would be to make your
acquaintance (assOeiating your names
as Familiarity as if you were already
| plighted lovers, / cut her short off by
putting on my hat and wishing her
gOod-mOrning! And, what is more,
do not intend to darken her door till the
night of the party; for, ifI can prevent
it, Miss Mary Merideth shall never be
Mrs. Charles Wentworth. I am, in
very great haste, your devoted sister,
Addie."
IA wonderful document, certainly y
said the fair reader, as she crushed the
paper in her small hand and threw it
caTelessly into her open traveling=cOm-
paniOn.
Giving another glance at her anima-
ted face, she entered the ladies cabin.
The gong had sounded for dinner, and
plain uncle Billy was waiting to escort
her to the crowded table.