The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-12-18
SELECTED TALES.
From Burton's, Genileman's Magazine.
THE PRIVATEER.
a TALE OF THE LATE AMERICAN WAR.
By -Alerander Jones. NJ. u.
CHAPTER 1.
THE COUSINS.

TIE COUSINS.
lr Was soft evening in MAY, 1912, when
Catherine Harman, lady OF noble bearing. and
imperial beauty, was sirolline in a grove of
oaks that ornamen,ed the grounds of mansion
on the banks Of the Chesapeake. Far beyond
the share of the most favored was the lowell
ness Of the lady. aud the farest Of her sex in
her charming presence. might have wondered
AT natures partiality. Apparently the showers
of but eighteen springs had freshened the bloom
OF her beauty, yet the next evening her tweu-
tieth birthday was to be conmemoraied at the
noble mansion Of her family. Fairer than all
the lover dreams Of paradise was the exquisite
symmetry Of her person. The outline was
swelling round, and softly undulating as il
finished by angels from heavens raresi models.
At rest, the ma,chless proportions were health
and beauty defed but in motion. best was
their wonderful loveliDess developed. And her
walk had the imposing dignity Of the high
dame nurtursd in the olden courts Of lady love
and troubadour. combined with the elegant, the
tripping simplicity Of Hebe. She stepped
oh she flosted, Joyous and inspired. as il to
the voluptuous melody Of an Italian opera and
as her elegant figure, traced So faint, vet So
roundly full. in a rich close robe Of the times
swept the long grass. noiseless rs the sailing
abatross, and wound among the whispering
trees as virgin cloud from the court OF the
moon, painter might have skerched The por-
trait of a celestial bnntress alghting in her
groves. Her ankle and foot--for ah there is
a dangerous coqueiry in pretty foot-small.
and charmngly shaped-the indispensable of
womanly heauty-were barely seen ere they
vanished in their mysterious ambush. as il one
glance we're enough 10 enchant. Her face
alas the artists finest touch were even Apollo
the artist could not breathe its passion, its dig.
..tN. l..l "a III.
and give memory immortality. 1t was no, the
chernbic lsushingness, of the playful sisl, hai
the matured, the superb, aud fascinating love
liness of the Woman.
Her complexion was that happiest union of
color. seen only n female cheeks and in the
perfection Of paiuiing-the soltest blending Of
the lily and the rose--yet il rivalcd the fairest
lily or the richest rose. Her head was of
splendid mouId. and her forchcad nign and
queeny. A few short curl. clustered like the
locust flowers on it's ravshing fairness: and
waving masses Of dark brown hair. siraying in
ringiels from under iewelled clasp. flung their
wild profusion over neck of snow, and a
bosom whose fanltless contour riyaIled the
proudest creations OF the Grecian chisel in
which nothing Of beauty or grace is unfinished.
That glossy volupiuous hair. was like the lux
urlant seagrass in the mermaid's bower. floating
over vet slyly showing its virgin pearls.
The iety eyebrow Was pencilled with the
rainbow's curve her lashes were long. black.
and exquisite; and there was that thrilling and
mystic depth Of soul in her lusirous black eyes
which the flower of natures nobility only have.
By turns they were soft as the houri's glance
by turns they flashed as the moonlit-rill, or
braned with the still enthusiasm Of the stars
Truly the eye is the mirror Of woman, for its
reflection is mystery; even in sleep it has
spell we dare not trust.
The nose WAS strictly Grecian-that classic
inheritance of so many fair claimants the sur
ny. oval cheek wasa delicious rcpose Of blushes
and The round superb chin. when dr'wn proud
/ ly up. was slightly doubled But her scarlet
] lip Of scented ripeness-ahi there was witch
cry there that mocks the power Of pen. Even
, anger cannot rob woman's lip ofits magic. foi
in its poui there is death 10 the young heart.
| In JOYOUS love it is a cradle Of smiles tempting
an impassioned caress-a fount Of deliclons
nectar intoxicating TO sip--or rather il is the
1 honeyed altar of passionate love. Bot in Of
Tended pride and bridlng beauty, how ravish-
/ ing its toss, its quiver! the lips of the danger
Gus Caiharine Harnan wore the sofest smile,
the rosiest pout. the proudest curl, and in their
vermillion shadow were arrsyed set Of teeth
whiter than the foam Of the sea.
The expression Of her counienance was diff I.
cult 10 define. In peDsivencss. twas poetry 10
It's richest carb in animation. u copied the
wave Of the laughing lake and. again. II wore
that lofty something, that hauieur perhaps,
that springs from a noble and cultivated iniel-
lect; but at times its ~onderous meaning was
as changefuI and exbaustless as'the picture of
the cloud in the ripping spring. Her lace
was gay masquerade Of expression.
A child Of sorrow was this beautiful being
amiabie as she was lovely, yet unfathomsbe IN (
a passing acquaintance. Outwardly lively and
dashinc. she was one Of that strange few who, 4
when they list. can stand calm, dark. and un-
read under the scrutiny OF the world
Grief has been said 20 exert a Christening In
fuence, but sometimes IL nur;ures dangerous
predispo,fions--but Of this again. Al the age
Of fifteen, Catharine Harmsn had lost saipied
mother. Two years after, an only brother. led
by that fever oftravel and adventure SO seduc-
ing to youth. had left his home. and been kill
ed IN due! in distant state. His blooming
sister vas left with bot two relatives on earth
passionate induleeni old father. and por-
tIonless male cousin. two years her junior. Who
was away al college.
The fair Kate Hsrnian had been brought up
pretty pet. which is TO say that she Vas self
vied. though. like many pets. her heart was
in the right place. The rose that flowers in
garden Of weeds is the sweeier by contrast. for
IL is At once associated With some inherent cx-
eeience which defed neglect. So With the
happy pet. whose innate goodness cannot be
spoiled by parental indulgence. BY natural
consequence Of her rearing. CaihaTine was
some hat OF coqueiie. Start no, oot cross
ihy.elf. guileless reader. for thou art generous.
and eoqueuss are much abused race. What
brilliant world Of song and loyelipcss. oi
signs and smiles. OF tears and thrilling tones.
Of sIId repsosch. sweet repentance. and slo-
qucnt sorrow are embodied IN that single name
Of coquetisi At onee the delighted fancy PIC
'ofs, srr<rh sri s,eornrIfsheJ female iusyr-