The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-01-25

anu was Sne Siad 10 see you aSSaheC
him on every side.
How was she drest p repeated he, | am
not very well skilled in the technicalties Of
a lady's wardrobe, can give you the gen.
eral impression of her personal appearance.
In the first place, there was jumping up
and an off-hand sliding step toward an op.
posite door, as | entered; but disobliging
chair was in the way, and | was making my
lowest bow, before she found an opportuni-
ty of disappearing. Confused and NORTH
ed, she scarcely returned my salutation,
while Mrs. Fane offered me a chair, and
expressed, in somewhat dubious terms, their
qualification at such an unexpected pleas
ure. have no doubt that Theresa wished
me at the bottom of the frozen ocean, if |
might judge by the freezing glances she shot
at me through her long lashes. She sat un-
easily, in her chair, trying to conceal her
slip-shod shoes, and furtively arranging hel
dress about the shoulders and waist. 1t was
a most rebellious subject, for the body and
skirt were at open warfare, refusing to have
any communion with each other. Where
was the graceful shape 1 had so much ad-
mired D.? In vain | sought its exquisite out
lines in the folds of that loose, slovenly robe.
Where were those glistening ringlets and
FURNISHED locks that had so lately rivalled
the tresses of Medusa? Her hair was put
in tangled punches behind her ears, and
tucked up behind in kind of Gordian
knot, which would have required the sword
of an Alexander to unite. Her frock was
soiled and dinghy silk, with trimmings of a
sallow blonde, and faded fancy handker.
chief was thrown over one shoulder.
sYou have caught me completely endes'
habHe,' said she recovering partially from
her embarrassment; but the evening was
SO rainy, and no one but mother and my
self, | never dreamed Of such an exhibition
of gallantry as this
She could not disguise her vexation,
with all her efforts to conceal it, and Mrs.
Vane evidently shared her daughters cha.
grin. was wicked enough to enjoy their
confusion, and never appeared more at my
ease, or played the agreeable with more sig
nal success. | was disenchanted at once,
and my mind revealed IN its recovered free
dom. My goddess had fallen from the
pedestal, on which my imagination had en-
throned her, despoiled of the beautiful dra-
perry which had impaired to her such ideal
loneliness. | knew that | was faYorite
in the family, for was wealthy and inde-
pendent, and perhaps of all Theresa's ad-
mirers, what the world would call the best
match. maliciously asked her to play on
the piano, but she made thousand excuses,
studiously keeping back the true reason,her
disordered attire | asked her TO play a
game of chess, but 'she had headache
she vas too stupid she never could do any
thing on rainy evening"
AT length took my leave. inwardly
blessing the moving spirit which had led me
abroad that night, that the spell which had
so long enthralled my senses might be bro.
ken. Theresa called up one of her lambent
smiles as babe her adieu.
Never call again on rainy evening,
said she sportively; 81 am always so
wretchedly dull. believe | was born to
live among the sunbeams, the moonlight,
and the stars. Clouds will never do for
me-
Amen silently responded, as / closed
the door. While was putting on my coat,
| overheard, without the smallest intention
of listening, passionate exclamation from
Theresa.
Good Heavens. mother was there ever
any thing so unlucky? never thought of
seeing my neighbours dog to night. If
have not been completely caught
Il hope you will mind my advice next
time replied her mother, in grieved tone.
8 | told you not to sit down in that sloveniy
dress. | have no doubt you have lost him
forever
Here | made good my retreat, not wish
ing to enter the penetralia of family Sc
crets.
The rain still continued undated, but
my social feelings were very far from being
damped. had the curiosity to make an
other experiment. The evening was not
far advanced, and as turned from Mrs.
Vane's fashionable mansion, saw a mod
est light glimmering in the distance. and
hailed it as the shipwrecked mariner halls
the star that guides him DER oceans foam
to the home he has left behind. Though
was gay and young and a Passionate admi-
rer of beauty, / had very exalted ideas Of
domestic felicity. knew that there was
many a rainy day in life, and l thought the
companion who was born alone for sun
beams and moonlight, would not aid me tC
dissipate their gloom. had, moreover, q
shrewd suspicion, that the daughter who
thought it sufficient excuse for shameful
personal neglect, that there was no one
present but her uOther, would. as a wife, b.
equally regardless of a husbands presence
While | pursued these reflections nv fee
Involuntary drew nearer and more near tc
the light, which had been the loadstone o
my opening manhood. | had continued t.
meet Mary in the gay circles frequented
but had lately become almost stranger Il
her home. Shall / be welcome guest
said to myself as crossed the threshold
/, Shall find her en- deshdbiHe likewise, ant
discover that feminine beauty and grace
are incompatible with rainy EVENING"
!, heard a sweet voice reading aloud as | o
pened the door. and knew it was the voic'