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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
afford to lose an afternoon's recitation. Accordingly she doffod her bonnet and threw aside her books, with a determination to take a peep at this fair Adonis. Whether this was done with the usual negligence of juvinility, or whether she stole a glance at the mirror to adjust her shining ringlets, is a matter of which fame reporteth not; but it is said of her, however, that she never looked more lovely in her life, nor glowed her cheeks with a deeper crimson, than when the unexpected visitor-leaving the room of his patient-entered the parlour, sans ceremoni'.e, without the formalities of an introduction, but with a dignity and ease that spoke the gentleman and the man of breeding. His personal appearance ·came up fully her excited ex- pectations; and although he was not the handsomest man in the world, he nevertheless possessed a very commanding figure-tall, active and erect, with a fiery eye and a martial tread-the very hero for a tale of love and war. His name, and the purpose of his visit were mysteries soon explained. He was a Surgeon in the army, and had come to administer to one of his companions in arms, who was then experiencing the hospitality of the family. It is unnecessary to tell the reader, for he has guessed already, that our youthful heroine experienced the fate of her sex. She saw and was subdued. But more fortunate than the immaginary characters of romance, her partiality was met by a generous requital. The heart of our hero bowed to the dominion of beauty. Indeed for him to have gazed unmoved and passionless upon a flower of such unrivalled sweetness, would have argued a want of that ardor and enthusiasm which are considered essential to the character of a soldier. In a few minutes, the happy couple, mutually pleased, found themselves seated by the window, conte:r;iding with each other in a game of Back-gammon.-the Lady of course was victor, and won from her antagonist a pair of gloves.-The payment of this debt, formed a fair pretext for our hero to renew his visit on the succeed- ing day. "I come," said he, "to settle accounts; for debts of honor must be punctually paid.'' The lady, however, declined :receiving the gloves, on the ground that she had played for amusement only, with no view of exacting the forfeiture. "Then"-said the gentle- man, "if you will not take them as your due, you must at least accept them as a present." To this the lady could not politely demur; and as she put forth her snowy fingers to receive the gloves, the happy donor, in a tone betwixt jocularity and earnest, expressed a wish that the hand that gave might go with gift. This was enough. The _lady understood the hint, and' was pleased to see how the wind was blowing. In a short time they were open and avowed lovers. But it is known that the course of true love never did run smoothe. The friends of the lady objected to their union on the very reason- able ground of the youth and inexperience .of the parties; and for a good while, the uncompromising character of the opposition seemed 'in a fair way to defeat the wishes of the sighing couple. Chance and courage, however, decided the matter.- We have already told that our young heroine would shortly have to choose her guardian. The time for making this selection was now arr.ived; and being called upon to name the individual of her
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