Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-12-02

rom New York.
replied in the Affirmative.
"He is quite favorite with the old
Roman, is he not?" asked the lady.
Undoubtedly, and in the lower
house, he is fast acquiring influence"
"Is he married."
"Y-e-e-s," / replied, COMPOUNDED at
the quiet, business-like manner in
which the question was put.
"Then introduce him." said Miss
Smith.
"Certainly. But why is it thHt you
are less merciful than that gaunt Indian
chief, who gave such connoisseur-like
glance at your flowing hair'"
"lnterpret."
ale contents himself with taking
scalps; but you-you must have
hearts"
She answered only by a melancholy
smile and shake of the head; and |
forthwith introduced Mr.. K TO
her.
Puzzled and chagrined, made my
way to the suppper-room, where was
Instantly assailed by shower of ques-
tons from the ladies, and Of coinpli-
ments from the gentlemen, whose inn
portunities | had disregardcd. Muir
murs, low but deep, were uttered
against me, when it was found that |
had elected nothing from my late part
ner that could allay the general curios-
ity in regard to her. All that lcould
communicate was, that she was Miss
Smith; and every one seemed this
piece Of intelligence as involving the
subject in profoundcr obscurity. The
lady's remark in regard to members of
Congress, l kept to myself.
A series of brilliant entertainments,
given by the hospitable and noble-spir-
tied residents of Washington, succeed
ed the ball at the White House. At
all of them Miss S. was present, and at
all Of them she was indispu,ably the
belle Of the evening. Perhaps the APP
pellation is a wrong one, for, apart from
her dazzling beauty, there was little of
the self-assured and haitered belle in
her appearance and demeanor. Her
conversation was always cheerful and
animated but an interested observer
land acknowledge that soon became
one) could detect beneath her apparen,
gaiety the pre-occupation of heart FL
led with some secret sorrow This
conviction soon checked the tendency
of my feelings towards her; and | had
not met her three times before the low
er was merged IN the friend.
Still the mystery as to who she was
and whence she came was kept up
All that the most inquisitive observer
could discover was, that she resided in
a respectable private family in George
town, the mistress Of which { Mrs
Boutwell, J though she did not 90 into
society herself, yet held that position
which would secure an entree to any
young female under her protection.
On being questioned on the subject of
Miss Smith, Mrs. Boutwell, would re-
ply that she could avouch for her re-
spectability; but, beyond that, she
knew nothing in regard to her parent
age or history. OF course, this half
way intelligence contributed still fur
Their to pique public curiosity, and to
render the unknown belle still more an
object of marvel and interest The fact
that no one among the throngs who
daily visited Washington, from all
parts of the Union, and of the world,
had ever seen her or heard of her be-
fore, also added to the general perplex-
ity. Several young men attempted TO
lay direct siege 10 her heart, and innu,
were the jap1nicas and seran-
AIDES with which they endeavorei to
facilitate their approaches; but they ELI
cited from her no manner OF encour-
agemeat. She received their attention
with "sad civility." and, ~ snun as
possible. got rid of them, and exer,ed
her power Of fascination over some in
fluential member of Congress.
One morning | called upon her al
Mrs Bothwell's. As ascended the
stairs in advance ofthe servant, | acct
dentally glanced at a mirror through
the open door of an apartment. A re-
Election oftwo figures arrested my at
tention, One was the lady had come
TO visit; the other was a young man,
with features wan but highly intellect
ual, and a somewhat atteuuated frame
The lady's hand was run through the
thick hair that clustered about his male