Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-01

from that fearful distance, tue hearts OIL .nH ~
nhans met and mingled. The tears oil heo1
deore had blotted the lines, on which those o.
RIanche fell as she read, like summer rain drop
80 free. as fast, and as kindly, Tightening her
heart of the long pent up load ofunparticipated
Grief. But Theodore's letter contained one
wr;tten in different hand writing; and though
the tears of Blanche still fell as she perused
those characters, they we're the last drops OF the
shower. tn rough which sunbeam was already
breaking. Upon the contents OF that packet
che m;pbt have been said to live for many weeks.
for day after day her eyes fed upon them, I'LL
one of her little innocent observers asked, IN a
tone Of artIess sympathy, if she were not tired
Of irving TO learn all that close long writing by
heart. which had vexed her SO much too, at Inc
first reading.
The second letters were as eagerly and anxi-
ously opened as the former had been. But these
were read with gllstening eyes only, wnie the
rekindletl light of gladness beamed on the IN
genious countenance OF Blanche; & sometimes,
IN the midst Of some twentieth re-perusal, as 1t
her heart sought sympathy in the exuberance
of its happiness, she would catch up i'll her
arms. and half smother - 18th playful kisses, one
of the wondering children; as ready, hower-
er, at least to share the Joy of their young in
structress, as to participate in her Sorrows
With these last letters came an ivory work box,
an elegant Oriental toy, lined with sandal wood
and fitted up with many compartments, each
containing some ingenious ncknack; some
small tool of fairy workmanship, fashioned for
lady's hand, or some exquisite essence IN us
Racon Of gilded glass The delight it was to
the inquistive children TO pry over and over a
gain, into every drawer and compartment in
this beautiful box! And Blanche was too sweet
tempered to refuse the often asked indulgence:
only she watched with Jealous care, lest their
little busy fingers should unwittingly iure any
part Of the delicate workmanship; and if Miss
Crawford was present, she resisted with evident
annoyance their opportunities to be allowed to
take out of a cunning secret drawer, which had
not long remained secret for them, two beauti-
full little pictures. $50 beautiful" they said, &
"One so like Ma'am selle!" That one her
brothers. miniature; and when they asked her
if she did not love him dearly for sending her
such fine present, she smiled and blushed, &
simply answered, that she did indeed dearly
love him. The little girls were not long in dis
covering, moreover, that the return oil this dear
brother had been announced in his last letter.
The regiment was recalled 10 Europe, and he
wrote on the eve of embarkation.
No wonder that, on The evening Of that day
which had brought her such blissful tidings,
the fair face of Blanche was radient with such
glow of happiness, as to attract even the pass
ing notice of Mrs l.. and the more benevolent
observation OF her husband, as their young in
mate with her pupils modestiy approached the
awful verge of her drawing room circle. l he
exuberant gladness OF her heart was longing 10
communicate and dihuse itself; and the look and
tone Of almost afectionate hia confidence with
which she replied TO the accustomed salulaton,
was SO irresistably winning, that it drew from
Mr.. L another, and another sentence, till al last
he found himself chatting with her, almost with
the affec tionate familiarity Of father, and had
actually gone the length of calling her "my
dear!" without being conscious how insiduous-
ly the natural kindliness of his nature had en-
croached on that dignihed condescension to
which he conceived it proper 10 confne all ma
nifestaions of good will towards his daughters
goyerness.
Mademoisele d'Albi's continuance in the
evening circle, or rather i'll its out ,Ooyks was IL
sually restricted to the space of half an hour,
while the tea and coffee were carried round, and
ill The bed time Of her pupils, when, with 81
lent curtsey, she left the drawing room with
them, and having accompanied them to their a
partments, joyfuly retired TO the unmolested
quiet of her own. But II sometimes happened,
that the party being enllvened by the accession
of several young persons, music and quadrilles
became the order OF the evening. At such
times the talents of Blanche were put in requi-
siton, and she was detained to play for the be-
ne6l Of the dancers, whose Enjoyment was en-
HANGED in no trihing degree by the spirit and
correctness Of the musician, and by the variety
of beautiful airs in which she was proficient.
Poor Blanche! how often, in the days that were
gone, had she tripped ii TO those very measures,
the admired Of all eyes, and the beloved Of all
hearts, amongst the lovely and beloved, The hap
ply band OF her young companions! 1t was
wonderful, with all these recollections IN her
heart, how she could sit before that Instrument,
looking SO patient and contented, playing on
hour after hour with such unerring touch, and
unhagging spirit! Yes! there she sat, regard
less and disregarded of every creature in the gay
assemblage, unless it were that every now and
then some gentleman ofthe party stole farther
glance of admiration at The lovely foreigner, in
wardly DESTROYS, maybe, tina, he could ex-
change his sprawling, bounding partner, with
all her newly imported Partisan graces and "trip
perry clumsily tackled upon English awkward
ness, for that young sylph-like creature, so ele-
giant in her unadorned simplicity; for Blanche,
s,lll in mourning for her parents, wore plain