Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-11-24

my arm wi it'll her hand, she directed my attention
| 10 a young gentleman who had been gazing a. her
with undisgused symptoms Of admiration. and
asked if he were not Mr.. k, the member
from New York.
| replied in the affirmative.
"He is quite favorite with the old Roman, is
he mott p ask ed The lady.
Undoubtedly, and in the lower house he is fast
| acquiring influence"
| ais he married?
business like manner 10 which the question was
put.
"Then introduce him" said Miss Smith.
| "Certany. But why is II that you less
mcrcful ,han that gauni Indian chief, who gave
such connoisseur. like glance at your flowing
har?"
"Interpret.''
"IIe contents himself with taking seaIps; but
you-you must have hearts"
She answ cred only by a melancholy smile and
shake OF the head: and | forthwith introduced
Mr. K TO her.
Puzzled and chagrined made my way 10 the
| supper room, where | was instantly assailed by
a shower Of questions from the ladies', Of compli
men,s from the gentlemen, whose opportunities
had disregarded. Murmurs, low but Deep were
uttered against me, when il was found that had
ELECTED nothing from my late partner that could
| allay the general curiosity in regard TO her. All
that / could communicate was, that she was Miss
Smith; and every one seemed 10 regard this piece
of intelligence as involving the subject n pro-
founder obscurity. The lady's remark in regard
to members OF Congress, kept to myself.
A series Of brilliant entertainments, given by
the hospirable and noble spirited residents OF
Washington, succeeded the ball at the White
House. At oil Of them Miss S. was present, and
at oil Of them sho ndisPu'ably tho belle Of the
| evening. Perhaps the appellaiion is "a wrong
one, for, apart from her dazzling beauty. there
was little of The self assured and fatiered belle
in her appearance and demeanor. Her CONVEX
So ton was always cheerful and animated; but an
interested observer(and acknowledge that l soon
became one) could detect beneath her apparent
eaie,y the pre- ccupa ton Of heart filled with
cret sorrow-This conviction checked the ten>
dency Of my feelings towards her: and had not
met her three times before the lover was merged
10 the friend
Still The mystery as 10 who she and whence
she came was keptup All that the most inquisi-
tive observer could discover was, that she resided
in respectable private family at Georgetown
the mistress OF which, Mrs. Bo,hwcll) though
she did not 60 into society herself ye, held that
position which would secure an entree TO any
young female under hsr Psoteo''"o. On heine
questioned on the subject Of Miss Smith, Mrs.
Boutwell, would reply that she could vouch for
her responsibility; but. beyond that she knew
nothing in regard to her parentage or history
OF course, this half way intelligence contributed
still farther to pique public curiosity, and TO
der the unknown belle still moro an object OF
arvei and Of interest The fact that no one a
| mong the throngs who daily visited Washing
ing ton; from all parts Of the Union. and OF tho
world, had seen her or heard OF her before,
also added to the general perplexity. Several
young men attempted TO lay direct siege to her
heart, aud innumerabe were tho japonicas and
tho serenades with which they endsavored to
facilitate their approaches; bnt they ELECTED from
her no manner Of encouragement. She received
their attention with s'sad civiliy," and, as soon
as possible got rid Of them, and exerted her pow
ers Of fascina ton over some influential member
Of Congress.
One morning called upon her at Mr.. Both.
wells AS assembled the stairs, 10 advance Of
the servant,I accidently glanced at mirror 'hro'
the open door Of an apartment. reflection OF
two figures arrested my attention. One was the
lady had come to visit; the other was young
man, with features wan but highly intellectual,
and a some what attenuated frame. The lady
hand through the thick hair that cluster
ed about his pale forehead, and she was gazing
in his face with expression o: deep and ten
der solcitude. A sound very much like a Kiss
succeeded this momentary attitude. Reluctant
10 disturb such an interview, turned TO retreat
bu, accidentally came in contact with her servant
, no. tumbliug halfway down stairs, ehectually
interrupted the affsctionate scene in the par'or
!, Without more ado, after preliminary shutting
. Of my feet to apprizs the parties that some one
, was coming. entered the room.
, An opposite door closed as Miss Smith advan'
. ced to receive me, and I heard a,zdEy. ominous
cough proceed from the departing visi'sr. i
seemed 10 fall heavily upon the lady's heart, TO-
she stopped short. pressed her hands to her eyes
and heaved a sigh. Quickly rallying, however
she summoned a sweet smile to her lips, and re
I ceived me with kindness. We converssd a few
' minutes on different subjects, and took an ear
, Iy leave.
o As drove home TO Gadsby's my mind va
. more lost than ever 10 conjecture as to this ex
ceedingly beautiful but my sterious young lady
I Who could The gentleman be whom che has
iavisbed such tok ens Of endearmeut! Was be