The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-11-04

stroiled toward the house. / saw her blue
eyes open with amazement at NV cool
ness but did not enact despair for her
benefit, but laid my plans for her future
edi6cation.
Two days later had left home and
gone into the city for visit Nina gave
me merry farewell, and did not seem at
all broken hearted at the prospect of the
separation If she felt any emotion she
was soon soothed. as the following letter
directed to my new address, convinced
| me:
" Dear Mdrston: My hero has arrived.
Such Lovely black whiskers, not at all
like your smooth face. cousin-such iettv
curls, not auburn ones like yours-such
black eyebrows and lashes-yours are
yellow. He has been everywhere, has
seen everything, speaks foreign languages
and has the most polished manners. lie
brought letter OF introduction to Will;
so, OF course, he is here quite often, and
seems very well pleased with a certain
cousin of yours"
And so on, the letter filled up with
home gossip. l read it at the little inn
of my native village, where all nv let
;ers, redirected to D"Mr. Alonzo Courte-
nay" followed me- The black vhiskers
lay on the table by me, the wig hung from
the looking-glass, the dyed eyebrows and
lashes still adorned my face NV fine
broadcloth suit, cut in the latest CITY
style, my patent leather boots, kid gloves
and dandy cane lay on a chair, while |
louuged in dressing grown and slippers
before the window coming my cousins
letter. | was engaged to drive her out
in an hour, 50 began my elaborate toi
let. Every curl was in position, every
fold correct, as | rang the bell of nv
uncle's house, to which my fellow conspi-
rator, Will, had introduced me. No sus.
piclon of identity crossed my aunt's mind,
az she gave me a polite welcome. and
\ina's blind eyes saw only MI. Courte-
nay, the travelled dandy.
g trust see the rose of Glendale in
full health, said | with a low bow "Ah.
those fair hands were meant for daintier
tasks than this" and deprived her of
her sewing "The soft air woos us. You
will drive with me?"
With bewitching little hat, and every
curl In glossy beauty, she was soon ready
for an expedition. I cannot tell all the
fiattery | poured into her ears, half dis
gusted at her bushes, half amazed at her
innocent pleasure in my exaggerated gal
lantry. 1t was the first time had been
alone with her in my disguise, and I took
occasion to delicately hint at nv entire
devotion to her charms, grinding my
teeth at her coquetting acceptance of the
same. Every day for month | saw her,
pressing my suit on all occasions, filing
her ears with drawing affectations and
fiat descriptions of Italy and France,
with broad comparisons of Europe's and
Americas daughters. At last proposed
10 my amazement she refused me fiat
To my delight she informed me that her
cousin MarstOn was a man, not dressed
idiot. do not mean that these were her
terms, but her warm defense of her
cousin, after my sneering hint of jealousy,
was equivalent to such declaration.
Of course my proper self returned. ra-
dlant and hopeful. Will you believe it?
She was as offish as ever when | made
my advances; was cousinly and sisterly
till was in perfect fury over her cool
ease and matter-of-course Affection, but
would only laugh at my proffered love,
AMI compare me slightinglv to her recent
admirer, actually having the audacity to
hint that her heart walked out of the door
Oh his departure
L was half inclined to quit the field, but
| loved the gypsy heartily, and could not
give her up. Luckily had sunstroke.
Now sunstroke generally is not fortu-
nate event, but for me it opened the way
to my present happiness. l was in the
garden, hatless, aud busy over some fruit
gathering, when all the face of nature
turned black and fell.
Marston. Manton. Only speak to
me! 1t is Nina. Oh! Marston, do speak
to me-" and hot tears fell fast on my face.
| had been lifted into the house, and it
was the second hour Of my stupor when
the words struck my ear-muffied and
dim, but deliciously sweet, the dear voice
sounded in its agony. Then Willis
voice:
" | feel his pulse now, Nina. He is
coming round. Pll leave you here while
go find mother"
We were alone. could not move, but
| could feel her kisses rained on my face;
her sobbing regrets for past unkindness;
her low prayers whispered for my safety.
Aud at last I opened my eyes.
My head resting on her arm, my face
raised to hers, my hand clasping hers,
she could not escape. SO she surrendered
at discretion, and we were married nearly
three months before told her who made
her her second offer.