Page:New Peterson magazine 1859 Vol. XXXV.pdf/112



THE ROMANCE or CEDARVILLE. “We arrived, and were ushered into the par- lor by the doctor, himself, who looked more for- midable than ever; this circumstance, and the unwonted task of remembering something that I had been implored not to do, destroyed my self- possession, and as Miss Tibbits approached me, I addressed her quite audibly as ‘Mrs. Sling- worthy!"

A flood of rich color rushed over her pale face, and in the half-involuntary glance that she cast toward the doctor, I read her heart. It was a woman's heart, a gentle and loving one, and I respected it. As for Esculapius, himself, he looked quite fierce, and his hair bristled up like porcupine quills; but he blushed, too, and glanced at Misa Tibbits with a sort of surprise.

“Now you've done it!’ was the expression on the faces of my horror-stricken cousins; and as I bad done it beyond all repair, I took a sort of mischievous satisfaction in watching the results. How the mistake was smoothed over I cannot remember; I have a recollection, though, that it was a constrained and awkward visit, and that we very soon took our leave.

“*Oh! cousin, cousin!’ was all that my rela- tives could say, ‘how could you?’

I laughed, almost for the first time that day, for the ridiculousness of the whole thing struck upon me in its full light; bat my cousins evidently considered this a sign that my conduct had been prompted by willful maliciousness, and 1 quieted my visible faculties as soon as possible.

‘Perhaps,’ said I, ‘it may do them good.’

‘No,’ they replied, with a mournful shake of the head, ‘Amanda will go home, now, and nothing will ever come of it’

Mark my words!’ I exclaimed, with a sud- den inspiration of prophecy, ‘I feet sure that something will come of it, and that very soon.’

had no faith in me, for prophecy or anything else; and, by tacit consent, we dropped the sub- ject, and waited, like people expecting a than- der-clap, or something dreadful.
 * But cousin Rachel and cousin Etta evidently

“The next day, I sat in the window of my our apartment, which looked out upon the road, when I was startled by the unexpected apparition of Dr. Slingworthy, who had tied his horse to s post, and was now deliberately lifting the large brass knocker. I trembled, like a guilty indi. vidual as I was, and wished him miles away, but cousin Rachel entered my room, exclaiming

“*Cousin, what can it mean? Dr. Sling. worthy bas just entered the gate!’

“As she spoke, there was an involuntary glance at the mirror, and a smoothing down of hair already painfully smooth.

‘*Cousin Etta followed almost immediately. “«¢Sister Rachel,’ said she, ‘what is to be

jone? Here is Dr. Slingworthy inquiring for

ousin Flint! Do you think it proper to send er down unaccompanied by one of us?’

«67 won’t go down at all!’ I exclaimed, in error and indignation. ‘It is nothing to me vhether he marries Miss Tibbits or not. I'll ave nothing to do with it!’

ign, on which sho left the room; and then, aking me affectionalely by the hand, my eldest ousin began, in a voice of grave importance,
 * Cousin Rachel gave her sister a peculiar

“+Cousin, I hope that you will listen patiently © one who is considerably your senior. You re young and flighty, and have seen but little f the world: therefore, it is most desirable that rou should have a guide and protector who is nore sedate. Such things are quite unaccount- ‘ble to me, but we do hear of good and wise nen becoming infatuated with thoughtless girls; snd jit is very evident that Dr. Slingworthy has salled for the purpose of improving his acquaint- snce with you, with a view to such a result, and © offer you hia hand and name at once. It isa nost respectable name, cousin, and I advise you 0 accept it; but do nothing rashly, and pray reat the doctor with the respect due to his years.’

“Here I could contain myself no longer. My worthy cousin had delivered this speech seriously snd deliberately, evidently impressed with the idea that it was just the right thing; but when she requested me to ‘treat with the respect due o hie years’ the man whom she had just advised me to accept as s lover, I was seised with an uncontrollable fit of laughter, to which I freely gave vent,

“‘ Without replying to the imploring expression of cousin Rachel's face, and, intent now upon mischief, I ran down stairs, and found myself face to face with Dr. Slingworthy.

“Then I began to tremble again; and the doctor, as if to confirm cousin Rachel’s surmises, took my hand in quite a love-like manner, and led me to the sofa. I was quite passive, and waited for what he had to say.

“Miss Flint,’ he said, deferentially, ‘our very short acquaintance, I know, would scarcely warrant such a proof of confidence op my part, but I believe you will deal with me frankly.’

“Well,’ thought I, ‘something is coming of my mistake, sure enough, but not exactly what l expected.’

“The doctor became embarrassed, and so did I.

‘I am a straightforward man,’ he continued, more composedly, ‘and I am about to speak of