Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1843-10-24
THE UNKNOWN BELLE

advance Of the servant, 1 accidentally
glanced at mirror through the OMEN
uoor OF an apartment, reflection or
Two hgures attracted my at cnt;on
One was the lady | had come to wish.
the other was young man, with fca
lures wan but highly intellectual, and \
somewhat atlenuaIed frame. The lady's
hand was run through the thick hair
that clustered about his pale for, head
and she was gazing IN his face with deem
an" 'e, oer solicitude. sound very
much like k SIS succeeded this momen>
tary attitude: Reluctant 10 disturb such
an interview, | turned TO retreat, but &C.
cldenialy came in contact with the SER
want, who It mSling half way down
stairs, efiectually interrupted the Zee
uonate scene in the parlor. Without
more ado, after pre!imin ry shutting
OF my feet To apprlse the parties that
some one was coming, | entered tie
room.
An opposite door closed as Miss Smith
advanced 10 receive me. aud | heard a
dry, ominous. cough proceed from the
departing vIsiter. Ii seemed 10 fall
heavily on the lady's heart, for she stop
ped short, pressed her hands 10 her eyes
and heaved a sigh. Quickly rallying,
however, she summoned sweet smile
To her lips, and received me with kind
ness. We cpnversed few minutes OH
different subjects, d | took al early
leave.
As drove home TO Gadby's, my mind
was more lost than ever in con ectu res
AS to this exceedingly beautiful but mys.
ferrous young lady. Who could the
gentleman be on whom she had lavished
such tokens Of endearment2 Was he
lover or husband! lr either, why dill
ne not accompany her into society? Or
II his health did not permit such indul- |
gence, how could she quit him to become
the exposure Of ball roomi perhaps
he was a brother. No. sister could
never have bestowed such Il look and
such an embrace. What could it all
mean?
week after this interview, called
at the White House with a (riend from
England, who was DESTROYS of an intro
ductIon to the remark able man who then
occupied the presidential chair. We
were received by Jerry Grant, the lrlsh
doorkeeper, who, with an absence of
ceremony which astonished my transat.
lantic companion, took US up stairs, and
pointing 10 the cabinet chamber. said.
lou will find the old man in that room
Aware OF Jemmy's despotic character,
entered without farther question. The
first object | saw was Miss Smith lift.
ing the Presidents hand 10 her Inns.
while an expression Of earnest gratitude
irTadiated her face. She held docu
ment with seal, which looked like
some otflcia commission. Two or three
members Of Congress, who had appa.
rently accompanied her, were present.
On beholdlng the group, ! drew pack
Dut was too late 10 escape uRobseryed.
The President called upon me by name
TO enter; and Miss Smith turning at the
same moment, greeted me with inimita.
BILE grace.
"A call Of the Housed exclaimed Jerry
Grant In his gruf voice, thrusting his
mead abruptly into tho room, and as
quickly Withdrawing it.
ne sergeant-at arms will be after
u.s. exclaimed one OF the representa-
lives.
we are not wanted at the CAPITOL
said another. 'Will you not acconpa-
ny US, Miss Smith, since we cannot re.
turn 10 your home with you?'
Here Is one 10 whose care YOU NAV
confde me. May they notl' said Miss
Smith turning TO me
or course | acquiesced, with many
blessings upon Jerry Grant for scatter
ing the Congressman.
Introducing my friend TO the Chief
Magistrate, gave my arm 10 the lady,
and we took our leave.
When we were seated in the carriage,
she exclaimed, pressing the parchment
she held 10 her heart, AT length have
succeeded! An explanation is due TO
you-ior you are one Of the few who
have respected my secret and evinced
no idle curiosity. DO not look as if |
were on the eve OF revealing some great
mystery; for my story is a very simple
Que and can be told in very few words.
am from a very small and obscure vii.
Iage IN the upper state Of New York,
where lived with my husband a yonng
lawyer; until he was visited by a puI~
monary affection, which excited nv con.
slant anxiety. The physicians said
there was safety IN flight to a tropical
CLINE. Our means were too limited 10
admit OF snch a removal. Al nv su0.
gestiOn, my husband visited Washing
tonI and made Strenuous exertions 10
procure a small post, under Government
in the West Indies. tie failed; for he
had never been a politician; and of
course no political capital would accrue
70 the administration by his appoint.