Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-11-14

phere so clear and dry that one could
walk miles in moccasins and not feel
any moisture under foot. Ga told his
listener of hesshunting expeditions the
young men joined in, and Clara found
her own pulses quickening as he de-
scribed some of the wild scenes and
hair-breadth escapes OF his adventu-
rous life. Suddenly he pulled himself
up with q short laugh
81 am wearying you," he said.
"No. Won are not" she answered
truly; "you must tell me more another
"Miglt [ venture to ask you to
waltz 90 he said. 81 cannot see any
difference in this step and ours. -
Without hesitation Clara put her
little hand upon his shoulder, and
with a graceful movement he lead her
to the floor. She was surprised to find
the tall, grand figure could move as
easily rs Walters own, while the
strong arm held her firmly yet deli
cately, giving her perfect support,
while allowing her graceful freedom
Of motion.
How beautifully you waltz" she
said, as the music ceased.
"There was n German dancing
master in Chicago when we spent a
winter there some five years since,
and l took lessons of him. We are
not quite savages in Minnesota, Miss
West, for most of us remember homes
further east"
81 never supposed you were, she
replied.
Il think my cousins imagine I would
scalp them upon small provocation.
They looked absolutely Mortified ut the
sight of ne"
Il see many bright eyes looking this
way that have no horror whatever in
them" said Clara pleasantly. Let
me introduce you to some of ny
friends
For week tho young hoircs5 found
herself self-appointed companion OF
the young Western cousin, whose po-
sition i'll the house was far from
pleasant. Mr.. Montague, absorbed in
business, left his nephew to the ner-
c;es, far from tender, of the family,
and the family voted him an intruder.
Walter was jealous Of him, Mrs.
Montague heartily wished him back in
Minnesota, and the girls voted him
stupid. He could not talk small talk,
could not interest himself, as Walter
did, in fashions, operas and parties,
and they could not follow him into the
regions of literature, or sympathize
with his enthusiastic love of nature.
But Clara, aiming only at a good
natured endeavor to put the stranger
more at ease, found herself repaid by
a companionship far more congenial
than any she had before found at
C.. The young farmer had been q
student in a Western college, and had
love of reading equalled by keen
appreciation of the best literature OF
the day Loving deeper studies, he
could enjoy also the beauties of poetry
and fiction, and meet Clara in many
an animated discussion of her favorite
authors.
lie was fond OF music too, and Glare
soon dropped the waitzes ard polkas
she at first thought suited to his com
prchension, to give him rare mnsica
treats IN her exquisite rendering o.
Noulelssohn and Beethoven.
Coming III from walking one morn
ing when her cousins were out
Clara heard the grand piano SWEEP
by Il n2itster-hand to glorious
march quite new to her. She entered
tie drawing groom softly, and tool
a seat unperceivcd in far corner
from which nook she watched Charles
the sheets of music from her portfolio
ana played the airs with grand touch
that invested them with g pew power
and beauty. 1t was Ike the trumpet
blast after the flute to hear his rendi
ton after her own.
Then lie .,;t,yed other new music
from his own menoly. 'i'' sllddenl,
rising, he turned t. t:,"a j.- ..ut,innce
: In 4 moment lie cr.ns ned, rs If de
/ tectad III a theft.
How long did you propose to lister
10 llc without doing Your share 2
Clara asked, very gravely. Il hope
you admired the Jenny Lind polk:
and Uncle Ned as much as You sale
You did the morning after 20,
arrived
II will tell you what I did admire,
he answered, earnestly: II admired
the gentle Kindness that prompted the
fingers to play what was presumably
suited 20 an ignorant ca, instead o.
trying to dazzle the country mind Will
q grand display Of brilliant execution
What more might have followed car
only be imagined, for at that moment
the MOntagues entered the room, and
the bewildered Charles found himself
the centre of most smiling attention
Mrs. Montague, sweet and gracious
paid him more compliments in five
minutes than she had found time fol
IN the entire previous week. The girls
found cousin Charles was the very
man they wanted for series of future
festivities, and Irene was already
slzetchinS scenes for the introduction
OF q blonde giant in forthcoming
tiblcaux.
Walter, meantime, was lowering
around Clara, trying to regain some O.
the ground lost by certain sneerine
criticisms Of his cousin by declaring
he was a tirst-rate fellow, and he "wish
Cd he had his inches and strength"
That was the Introduction for the
second week.
Charles accepted tho overwhelming
attentions Of the family as coolly as he
had their rudencss, making himself
agreeable while in the house but find
ing. much employment outside.
While Clara West had been listening
to the music of the grand piano, Mr.
Montague in his Office, had been sign
ing check for family shopping, and
as lie presented it to his wife he said:
Did you know that Charles is ne,
gotiating for the Wills place"
what. 1 thought it was worth fifty
. OF sixty thousand dollars!"
Quite correct. He talks of settling
III G. -----.'
But the money!" gasped Mrs
Montague.
ooh he can well afford it, His father
gave him start in the grain business
two years ago, and he is worth two o,
three hundred thousand dollars. Be
sides being an only child, he will fal
heir to all his fathers immense wealth
The old folks talk of coming here in
year or two if Charles concludes t.
stay
''And you never told me !" cried Mrs
Montague. ''Have you no interest il
your own girls"
"Oh!' said papa grimly, "that's the
idea, is it! I'm afraid, my dear, tina
you are too late"
And Mr.. Montague was right. Ii
spite of Walters elaborate compli
ments, rare bouquets and devoted at.
tentions to Clara, her interest in tn,