Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-03-10


evening toilet for the forthcoming ball.
She was tall, and you would think stately,
till you saw her face and then the piquant
| expression of the brown eyes and the de-
mure laughter of the lip led you to sup.
pose that she was more merry than digni-
| fed and if your observation extended to
her conduct during a whole evening, am
sorry TO say you would be compelled to
acknowledge her little " fast"
She had dismissed her maid, and, with
her pretty head little on one side, was
trying the effect of a scarlet geranium
among the ambrosial puffs of hair. OF
course, Miss Barton wore a chignon--all
| young ladies do nova days-and long
curl behind her left ear, Presently the
geranium was settled satisfactorily, and,
with quick movement, Maggie fastened
the door, and drew from beneath a book
cover carte de UiSite and the gentleman
on the card was Mr.. Jack Carleton.
But, of course, Maggie did not know
| this. The very existence of such person
had long ago escaped her memory; and
even had she remembered the name it
would have been difficult to associate the
stripping of grandfather picnic, with the
elegant, moustached, young gentleman be-
| fore her.
In truth he was elegant Leaning
| dRdluSb u ChINtO pCNlCcItll, upOll bliC tOD VI
which reposed the most stylish of New
markets, in company with a graceful vase
with dropping flowers, an ample curtain
and bookcase filled with all the gems of
literature composed the background.
Miss Barton surveyed it with satisfaction.
so this is my future husband, accord
ing to the astrologer," said Miss Barton
"The gipsy woman said | should marry a
curate. Pshaw! what an idiot | am to
have written such FOOLS letter. l dare
say am duped along with many others
l wish had not written. 1t is good
thing none of the girls know it. OF
course am dupe, and suppose the very
existence of this piece of elegance is a
myth. More fool 1r'
The carte was held off to be viewed in
a more favorable light. "Very good, GER
tainly"
With another look, she placed it be-
tween the pages of a copy OF Lara, and
hastened down.
There were merry doings at Barby Holt
that night Squire Martin Barby, or
Grandfather Barby, as the young people
children of his many sons and daughters
always called the old gentleman, and Lady
Ursula, his high bred, genial dame, always
gathered large circle round them at
Christmas. And where could you spend
a iollier Christmas than at the Manor?-
and who could make such mince-pies and
turkey stuffing as grandmother's house
keeper at Barby? N
Well, as l said, there were grand doings
at the Manor on Christmas Eve. Lady
Ursula in her black velvet and Mechlin
lace, and the squire ia his low shoes and
silver buckles, led off the stately country
dance from the top of the hall the mar
ried sons and daughters came next, then
the young people, the children and grand
fathers guests" as all who were not re-
lated were styled by the rest.
The dancing was at its height; the holly
and ivy quivering on the panels, and the
oak floor was becoming more and more
slippery; when, unannounced, and with
La powdering of snow on his cloak, tall
figure dashed among the dancers, seized
the squire's hand, and wrung it violently,
fell on Dame Ursula's neck and gave her
hearty kiss before any one had time to
think what the disturbance could be about.
But the squire's eyes were keen, and after
the first moment he returned the grasp
with hearty "God bless you, my boy
welcome home" and Welcome to Barby,
grandson" said the kindly voice of Dame
Ursula, albeit some tears of joy shone in
her soft eyes.
"Cousin Jack! Cousin Jack /" came
from twenty mouths, and the favorite
grandson threw aside his cloak, and flung
away his hat to shake hands with all the
aunts and uncles, and many of the guests
who remembered him. r--
And one of these guests, seated under the
holy decorations OF great oak panel,
leant her white, terror-stricken face against
the woodwork, and pressed her slender
gloved hand against heart beating
strangely fast.
"What can it meant" she thought
"Why am l SO struck at the appearance OF
an utter stranger?
And yet it was not stranger. The face
Of the favored grandson was the one whose
image lay between the leaves of her Lara
up stairs. All, Maggie, it is dangerous tC
have dealings with astrologers. Here was
this girl who had answered mysterious
advertisement, for mere fun's sake, as
tonished and terrified beyond measure al
what seemed the sudden realization of the
astrologer's mute prophecy.
Not the folds of her crepe dress looked
whittier than her face; all the joy of the
Christmas party was gone for her, and {
sickly feeling of superstitious terror pos
sessed her. The spirited girl was now 6
faint, dropping figure, with only JUS
} strength enough to creep up stairs to hel
bedroom, where she crouched down before
the fire, crumpled mass of white Lace
and clinging crepe, shiverlng with fright
at every wall of the wintry wind bowling
round the house. .+ t...
"Oh that l had never written to tha
terrible astrOloger-that horrid, mysterious
mani Fancy the very person appearing
in my path-the very personi l declare
should have known him among a thousand
though he is not terrible, for he looks very
! NICE Oh, it is dreadful have heard o
J such things as fates in the stars, told b.
wise men, but / never believed it. / dc
now though. How fortunate it is tha
nobody knows it will take good car
they never do"
With this thrilling secret at her heart
Maggie sat and shivered another twent,
minutes. Then came footsteps, followed
, by troop of girls rushing in.
, "Why, Maggie, where have you beenS
cried one. "We wanted you for a cushion
dance"
"Oh Maggie, where are Have you seel
grandpapa's pet-such romantic sti
) when he arrived' exclaimed a rosy girl
with forget-me-nots in her hair
"And he's adorable" said third.
, "He's DEAR" chimed in another.
, "He's the son of grandfather's eldes
uduBHlcI anu Snc 10 uO1uI oo Gho olu SOhuS
. man thinks worlds of him." said matter
offact young lady adjusting her chignor
al have heard he is terrible scamp,
said another. ..r.r s...g
Rubbish, said another He is
regular Jolly fellow, Mary. l never say
: such eyes; and he gazes so anxiousl
T.; around, one would think he was LOOKING
s for somebody" .H
q And so he was, you know, reader.
The girls fingers had been as busy a
s their tongues, and, wreaths being settle
Q to their satisfaction, they made move t
!, go down for snap dragons; and Miss Bal
!, ton, with the awful secret locked in he
d breast, went too, for fear of exciting SUI
prise. .J4J.
r Meanwhile Mr.. Jack Carleton was in hi
J. element All the time he was joining /
the dancing and games his ewes were dill