Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-02-03

/ Inc rich owner oil the mansion, OIL tnlS even
ing was giving a grand ball in honor of a
noble stranger who had arrived in the city
the day previous. Rumor had preceded the
new conner, and he was reported to be vastly
rich, amable and accomplished, very hand
some and what was more pleasing to the la
dies, only six and twenty
The party had nearly all assembled and
sounds Of mirth fell upon the ear, mingled
with rich strains Of music which noated on
the air with widest melody All was life
and animation. The young and beautiful,
the gay and vain were mingled together,
and for the time all contention and strife
seemed TO have left every heart, and good
will and kindness to have usurped their
places.
But the chief attraction to which all eyes
were turned was the youthful stranger for
whom all this pomp and grandeur was be-
ing displayed. And well might he attract
universal admiration, for never did more
noble, manly figure grace an assembly He
was about the common height, well proper
toned, and his manners at once free and ca
sy. His complexion was dark, either natural
| ly or by exposure to the burning sun of In
dia from whence he had come His fore
head was high and expansive, and shaded
by thick dark curls, and his eyes were dark
and expressive, and sent thrill to the heart
of many a fair one upon whom they gazed.
The stranger was affable and familiar, and
possessed great powers Of conversation. He
was standing at one end of the room, sur
rounded by group of admirers, conyers-
I ing with ease and freedom, when his eyes
were suddenly directed earnestly towards
the door through which a party was just
entering.
1t consisted of an elderly gentleman Of
proud though noble bearing. and fair young
girl who hung conhdingly upon his arm
She was a beautiful creature, and her snow
white dress concealed a form of perfect SYM
metry, while her mild blue eyes beamed gent
ly from beneath their long black lashes.-
They advanced to pay their compliments TO
the lady of the house, and then repaired to
a seat near by.
I who is that beautiful girl said Stanhope
to young gentleman a, his side with whom
he had been conversing.
you mean Clara haywood, presume
said his companion, she is indeed the most
beautiful girl in the city. But continued
he, looking archly into the face of Stanhope,
you may set your heart at rest, for she is
perfectly insensble to all the charms and
powers Of our sex and verify believe she
has set her heart against us all. She is POI
lite and social TO all alike, and has seen fit
to reject several offers of marriage from
our most wealthy and respected young men,
who have really loved her. Her father is
among our most wealthy citizens, and this
his only child, is his idol 1t is whispered
that this fair girl plighted her love long ago
to poor but noble youth, whom her father
took into his family when boy, and after
having treated him with parental kindness,
sent him away, having suspected that he was
becoming attached to his daughter This
is mere conjecture, and may probably be
false, for in all probability the youth will
never return. But come, continued he,
will introduce you to the lady but be care
full, say, and guard well your heart after
what have told you
During this recital by his companion,
Stanhope had shown by his breathless atten-
ton, and the fixed gaze of his dark pene-
trating eyes, the interest he felt in the sub
iect; and as he took the arm of his friend,
and proceeded to the side Of the fair girl,
his cheek was flushed, and his eye kindled
with pleasure.
| Miss haywood, allow me 90 introduce TO
you our distinguished friend, Mr.. Stanhope.'
Clara raised her eyes, and replied to his
sautation, but when they met his earnest,
ardent gaze, they fell beneath the power of
his glance, and, she knew not why, the
crimson blood rose to her cheek, and man.
tied even her fair brow and bosom. She
could not account for her emotion at thus
encountering the gaze of stranger. but
never had look so thrilled to her soul.
Stanhope seated himself at her side, and
made few general remarks; but she per-
ceived that his voice was slightly tremulous
and she dared not raise her eyes to his face.
That voice, so low, so soft and musical-it
awakened feelings and remembrances, which
time had subdued, but not obliterated.-I
There was something in the noble counte-
nance which was directed towards her, and
in the low tones of the stranger which re-
called days long since gone by; but whose
| light even then shone upon her pathway,
and enlivened and cheered many an hour
which otherwise would have been gloomy
and dark.
BY degrees Clara was drawn away from
herself and all unpleasant thoughts while
she listened to the eloquent remarks of her
companion, and eagerly drunk in the sub
| lime sentiments which flowed from his lips
He had travelled over nearly the whole
world and his descriptions of the various
countries he had visited, with the customs
and manners of their inhabitants was at
once pleasing and instructive The eve
ming wore away, and the elegant stranger
the wealthy Mr.. Stanhope was constantly
at the side of the beautiful Clara. They