The Arkansas banner., 1843-11-25


 when slightly pressing my arm with her hand, she directed my attention to young gentle man, who had been gazing at her with un- disguised symptoms of admiration, and asked if he were not Mir. K. the member from New York.
 replied ill the affirmative.
 sHe is quite favorite with the old Ro- man-is he notp' asked the lady,
 Undoubtedly, and in the lower house he IS fast acquiring infuence.''
 "ls he married D
 Y-e-s," replied, confomded at the quiet buslness-like manner in which the question was put.
 "Then introduce him,'' said Miss Smith.
 "Certainly. But why is it that you are less merciful than that gaunt Indian chief, who gave such connisseur-lke glance at your flowing hair p
 ''Interpret"
 's He contents himself with taking ScALPs, but YoU-you must have HEARTS"
 She answered only bya melancholy smile and shake of the head; and l forthwith in- Hoduced Mr. k to her.
 Puzzled and ehagrined, made my way to tllC NllCIC W oo liSldllb1N dS- sailed by a shower of questions from the ladies, and of compliments from the gentle men, whose importunities had disregarded. Murmurs, low but deep were uttered against me, when it was found that I had elicited nothing from my late partner that could all lay the general curiosity in regard 10 her. All that l could communicate was, that she was Miss Smith-and every one seemed to regard this piece of intelligence, as involving the subject in profounder obscurity. The lady's remark in regard to members of Con- gress, kept to myself
 A series of brilliant entertainments, given by the hospitable and noble spirited residents of Washington, succeeded the ball at the White House. At all of them Miss s. was present, and at all of them she was indispu- tably the belle of the evening Perhaps the appellation is a wrong one, for apart from her dazzling beauty, there was little of the self-assured and flattered belle in her appear anee and demeanor. Her conversation was always cheerful and animated; but an inte- rested observer (and l acknowledge that l soon became one, could detectbeneath herap- parent gaiety the pre-occupation of heart fill ed with some secret sorrow. This conviction soon checked the tendency of my feelings towards her; and had met her three times before the lover 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 respectable private fami- ly at Georgetown, the mistress of which, Mrs. Boutwell,, though she did not go 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 reply that she could ayouch for her responsibility, but, beyond that, she knew nothing in regard to her percentage or history. Of course, this halfway intelligence contri- buted still farther to pique public curiosity, and to render tiIe unknown belle still more an object of marvel and of 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 before, also added to the general perplexity. Several young men at tempted to lay direct siege to her heart; and innumerable were the japonicas and serenades with which they endeavored to facilitate their approaches; but they elicited from her no manner of encouragement. She received their attention with sad civlity," and, as soon as possible, got rid of them, and exert ed her powers of fascination over some ill. fluential member of Congress.
 One morning I called upon her at Mrs. Bothwell's As ascended the stairs, in ad- vance of the servant, I accidentally glanced at mirror through the open door of an apartment. reflection of two figures ar rested my attention. One was the lady had come to visit, the other was a young man, with features wan but highly intellectual, and a somewhat attenuated frame. The lady's hand was run through the thick hair that clustered about his pale forehead, and she was gazing in his face with an expression of deep and tender solicitude. A sound very like kiss succeeded this momentary attitude. Reluctant to disturb such an interview, l turned to retreat, but accidentally came in contact with the servant, who, tumbllng lalt- way down stairs, ehectually interrupted the aAectionate scene in the parlor. Without more ado, after preliminary shuffllng of my feet to apprise the parties that some one was coming, entered the room.
 An opposite door closed as Miss Smith ad- vanced to receive me, and heard a dry, omi- nous cough proceed from the departing visitor It seemed to fall heavily upon the lady's heart, for she stopped short, pressed hel hands to her eyes, and heaved a sigh. Quick ly rallying, however, she summoned sweet smile to her lips, and received me with kind, ness. We conversed few minutes on dli- ferent subjects, and took an early leave
 As I drove home to Gadsby's, my mlno was more lost than ever in conjectures as td this exceedingly beautiful but mysterious young lady. Who could the gentleman bt on whom she had lavished such tokens 0 endearment2 Was he a lover or husband If either, why did he not accompany he into society? Or, ifhis health did not perml such indulgence, how could she quit him t' become the exposure of a ballroom? Par haps he was brother. No, sister coult never have bestowed such a look and sucl an embrace. What could it all mean