Year: 1859

I
| ways spoiled by my aunt. aud his chiei
anus mcni Wn- pIapuing and teasing me !:
any appeal to my nunt vas useless, lor she
always took his pant When Joaah's
education was finished, he was placed in a
stock brokers office to learn the business /;
and to my dismay, it was arranged that
he should reside with IL


However, matters did not turn out so
unpeasautly as ! had anticipated. Josiah
whenever we were thrown together was
civil and courteous and though | could
never tolerate bis sly manner, and the false
way in which he always treated my aunt
yet We contrived, on The whole, to live har.
moniously together.


" At last Josiah came Of age I recol-
lert how surprised l wac, on the morning
of that day, when he presented ne, in the
presence of my aunt, with very hand.
some bracelet, AS he was my cousin and
as we had been so much together, l never
dreamed for a moment that there could
bc any significance in the gift, and saw
from my aunt's manner that she would
have been hurt had l refused it, My
aunt gave grand party in honor Of the
birthday, aud l was still more surprised
R,1
paid to me, although there were several
very pretty girls present, who, l knew
would have been nothing 10th to receive
the addresses Of Mrs. Wilson's favorite
nephew


"This most unexpected conduct greatly
embarrassed me independently Of my
positive dislike for Josiah Wilson, my
feelings we're already set in a particular
direction. was dreadfully distressed lest
Mr., Huntly should fancy that was graf
fled by my cousins attention and then
found that my aunt had been whisper.
ing here and there mysteriously that my
new bracelet was Josish's present. l
would have given anything to tear it from
my arm, and strove as much as possible to
bury it in my dro5s.


The truth came out next morning
After had read to my aunt, as was our
custom, the lessons for the day, she spoke
to me in serious tone She felt she was
growing old, she said in the event Of her
death, should be left without protector;
it was the dearoat wish of her heart to see
me Jo5ah's wife.


"I trembled at the words, for I knew,
with all her kindness, that my aunt was of
very determined disposition, that she
could never bear to be thwarted


Il replied that Josiah's conduct had
never led me to suppose that he regarded
me other than in the light Of a sister.
'Ay,' replied my aunt, l have talked
the matter over with your cousin, and he
confessed that he has liked you very much
for years past, but that your manner to.
wards him has alwavs checked any de.
monstration of his true feelings l then
told him, continued my aunt, that it was
Tor him to take the initiative in court.
ship


IT was sick at heart, and escaped, as
soon as possible, from the room, on some
housekeeping excuse. | understood the
matter clearly enough Josiah saw how
deeply my aunt had set her heart on our
marriage, and be had resolved, for his
own interest not TO be the person to thwsrt
her.


"My persecution began from that day.
| was to be taught TO like Josiah Wilson.
My aunt devised all sorts Of plans for
forcing us together; he used constantly
to bring me home prssents from the city,
jswelry, bouquets and the like which l
was forced to accept, My aunt frequent.
" told her friends that we were very
much attached to one another, and that
she supposed, one day or other, we should
ask her consent to our union. My great.
est distress was to see how piqued and
angry Edward, Mr.. Huutly, was at the
attentions received from my cousin he
evidently thought was on th4 point Of
being engaged. My lips were sealed it
was impossible for me to give him any
indication Of my real feelings. Josiah
was always at my side, paying the utmost
assiduous court,


After a short time Josiah made ms
an offer, and | refused him without hesit
alton. was certainly astonished by the
warmth with which he pressed his suit
for | had eanced he was only acting ou
of compliance with my Ounts wishes. HI
begged and prayed that would not pro
nounce an ultimate decision he had per
haps been rather premature in his de
claration be only asked further time h