Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-05-19
[WHoLE No. 632.
Popular Tales.
lIron the Ladies' World OF Fashion Tor April.
THE LIEUTENANTS BRIDE.
ny EI.LEN ASHTON.

.. IL was tHe annual pdli at w csI ioiHt'
The room was elegantly decorated with
flags hung in fcstoons, sabres formed
ihto stars, and all the other parapher-
MALTA of military glory. The floor was
crowded with officers of the army and
navy, OF every rank, from the midsbip-
man and cadet upward. The military
band ofihe post occupied the orchestra.
Never, perhaps, has there been assem-
bled AT West Point prouder assem-
blage of beauty than that which then
entranced the beholder. There were
dark bruncttes from Baltimore golden
haired Hobes from Charleston tall.
stately beauties from Philadel pha /; gay
bellies from the more ostentHtious New
! York ; and even the fair blonde daugh
tiers of New Eng gland, with their blue
eyes, their clear compilations, their
proud dignity of micn. But among that
brilliant array there was one pre-emi-
nently beautiful. Tall and shapcly in
her figure, she moved through the room
with the stately motion of a swan, elicit
ing admiration from every behoder.--
Her dress was simple, yet costly and
beautiful. 1t was evident that the Sc
vercst taste presided over the toilette Of
the fascinating Ellen Belvoir for fusci-
mating every one felt her to be who had
listened, though but for a B,omeut, to
her gay sallies, or her subdued senti-
ment. Her every look, word and mo-
ton, was grace itself. She possessed
that rare combination ofqualities which
constitutes the lady in contra-distinc-
ton to the mere prctender. But it was
not her manners alone that rendered
her SO. Her polItcness was that Of the
heart. She was no mere automatoA
she would have been equally as afable
and kind had she been born in Il cot.
tage. But alas it was the misfortune
Of Ellen Belvoir 30 have been born Of "A
noble family, and she had been brought
up with high notions of the superiority
of blood. In this originated trait Of
her character which is shared by too
many Of her scx-a scorn for all who
could not trace their lineage to an
equally noble origin with hers. But
now, surrounded by admirers, and OK
cited by the gay scene around, even
Ellen Bclvor had for the moment for
gotten her prejudices.
"Who is that elegant man :" she
said to her cousin, during an intermis-
sion betwixt the sets, glancing toward
a nobIe-looking officer in the uniform Of
a captain in the army che has been in
the room full half hour, and yet he
has not asked to be introduced to me-
i declare" she added gaily. 81 am
quite piqued at his indifference"
|, "Ah COZ, you will make him repent
of it yet, " laughingly replied her cous-
in, cor mistake your sex. But see,
he is coming this way. He is an old
meSsmate Of mine, and will introduce
him--ah Captain Stanley, glad TO see
you, and advancing from Ellcn's
side, her cousin grasped the hand Of the
approaching officer. The salutation
was warmly returned, and for a while
the two friends were engaged in talking
Of the events that had transpired to each
since they met last AT length, Stan
ley's eyes happened to fall on tho spr-
i,ual face of Miss Belvor, and from
their look of admiration, her cousin
knew at once that an introduction would
be considered favor. lie accordingly
presented the young officer 10 Ellen,
md after a few remarks, sauntcrcd
across the room, leaving lis cousin aud
Stanley together.
What is so favorable 10 love rs q gay
ballroom, aud what ballroom is SO
dangerous as that Of West Point p
Both Ellen and Stanley were soon lost
to every thing except each other. They
danced together, and promenaded in
company until they become the objects
of whispered though general remark.
Before the festivities Of the evening had
terminated, il was universally gossip
ped about that the beautiful Miss Bel
voir, and the hitherto heart-lree Cop
tain Stanley, had fallen mutually in
love. Some affected TO snesr at IL;
some wandered how il happened but
all agreed that the two we've the finest
couple in the room, and were admirably
fitted for each other.
n The gossip ola ballroom was, foe