The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1871-02-24
THE MARSHES.

80 you really are determined not Z
go with us on the excursion this after
noSn2n
''I really am determined, as 1 hav,
: already remarked and the young lad,
certainly looked very determined indeed
As she stood firmly planted on her tw,
little feet by the window, and drumme,
emphatically on the pane.
John Rutledge stood Just behind her
and looked at her in half-sad, half
amused condition of mind; looked a
her, too, so earnestly that she presently
flushed up to the tips of her ears, anc
turned upon him like tormented kit
ten.
"I wish you would not stand starin,
at me so, Mr.. Rutledge; it's very un
pleasant.
The young man flushed in his turn
for her tone was unmistakably in earn
est, and he said, 81 viii not look a
you, Miss Gordon, since it annoys Vol
although I had no intention of star
ing, as you term it; besides, / know
very well why you viii not go with u.s.
"Do you Well, I'm sure I dom
care. I don't go because don't choos,
TO go; I suppose can do as I Like"
perceive the real reason for you
not going coming up the steps," re
Joined Rutledge; $50 will not trouble
you longer. Good-morning, Miss Cor
dom and stepping to the door, ht
took his hat and passed out, just as &
servant admittN a tall, stylish gentle
man, at whom he certainly stared with
any thing but friendly glance.
Lille Gordon had started forward al
his last remark, but, seeing from the
window its occasion, she held hel
tongue, and awaited the entrance ot
the visitor in very disturbed frame oi
mind
The gentleman entered the parlor
unannounced, as though he were ia
miliar with the premises, and accosted
Lille warmly before taking seat by
her side.
She was so evidently perturbed by
something that he remarked upon it ;
but obtaining no satisfaction, he pres
entity said, I" leave town this afternoon
on unexpected business, and shall re-
main away a couple of days; SO we will
have to postpone our ride"
sob, well," replied the young lady,
ssit is of no consequence; I can go on
the excursion which I intended to give
up for the ride. dare say I shall enjoy
myself quite as well"
This reply was certainly not calcu-
lated to CRAFTY the young man, and Its
effect was quite perceptible He shifted
his position uneasily. tI am really
very sorry, Lille, but I must go to
Boston by the three--o'clock train. LIS
tnat Rutledge fellow going on the e1-
cursion ~
Really, George, I don't keep any
account of the movements of that
Rutledge fellow as you elegantly term
him and can not see what his going
or not going can have to do with you
or me-"
"Wen, excuse me. 1 am always so
annoyed when meet him here that 1
can hardly restrain myself. Let us
drop him. Now about the ride: this
is Wednesday, and shall be back by
Friday. Suppose we take it then Z" p
Lille laughed-a pretty, coquettish
laugh enongh-and rising, said, "Wait
till Friday comesI 1 never could make
mp my mind half SO far ahead; and,
besides, your important business might
detain you In Boston, you know. I
would not like you to break two en-
gagements with me the same week"
You are too hard with me, Lille !;
but I see you are not in a pleasant
mood this morning, so must submit. !"
No woman likes to be told she is not
in pleasant mood, and Lille showed
her entire disapproYal of the remark by
rising, making very .Seeping and Ger
tainly graceful bow, and saying, ''Good
morning, Mr.. Hartley. A pleasant
journey to you, and a pleasant mood
to me when you return" And then she
disappeared through the door, and ran
singing up stairs.
Mr. Hartley sat for moment looking
decidedly aggrieved: and then, with a
mutter of something which he never
learned in the catechism, possessed
himself Of his hat and cane, and de-
parted.
Lille Gordon had not been spoiled,
but she had just been permitted by her
parents to remain sufficiently under
the control of her animal spirits and.
her little Billful ways to keep her out
OF the influence of any other control
whatsoever.
She was now eighteen; and having
followed her own guidance In the mat
tor of her love-affairs as she had in
most others, she had engaged herself to
Ar. George Hartley. and informed her
father of the fact, to that worthy gen.
tleman's great dissatisfaction Not
that there was anything against the per-
son In question, who was well known IN
society, and who was currently reputed
to be possessed of independent means,
arising from q large inheritance well in
vested But Mr.. Gordon was bust
ness man, merchant IN high standing,
and he did not relish the idea of giving
his only daughter to an idler-one who, I
confessedly, was engaged in no pursuit
whatsoever, other than the lavish ex-
penditure of mis- large income. Mrs.
Gordon was a nonentity, except in the
fashionable world; and after dropping
a few tears over her daughters willing
ness to leave the family roof, she sub
sided into gentle commiseraton of
herself as a much aggrieved parsonage,
and relieved her mind by loudly boast
ing the many virtues of appearance and
purse of her daughters choice.
John Rutledge occupied the rather
disgraceful position of lover who had
never dared to acknowledge himself, yet
could not tear himself away from the
object of his regards, though he was
forced to consider her as the property
of another. As he had never spoken,
Lille tolerated him-especially as the
rising young artist, whose name was on
every body's tongue in society, was not
by any means q disagreeable compan-
ion at art-receptions and in the studios.
The engagement was, after all, mat
ter of very late date and as Mr.. Hart
ley was obliged to be away from town
portion of every week on important
business connected with his investments
in New England, and as John RuSledge
was an old acquaintance, and "eyery
body's friend, there had been as yet
none of the scandal customary in such
cases or account of his frequent visits
to the house, or his appearance with
Miss Lille In public
At precisely three O'Clock inthe after
noon of the day whose events we are
chronicling the Boston express train
left the depot and proceeded duly on