Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1844-04-11

Again she looked at The box, and this time she
saw note peeping beneath the cotton wool on
which the gems had rested. Virgnias fair
cheek flushed as she read
"Let Innocence and Beauty wear the gift of
Love. Howard GREY"
| Had the bracelet been serpent, with It's
deadly sting in her arm, Virginia could scarce
| ly have unclasped it with more haste. The
chain too was sna,ched from her head, and both,
with the note, replaced in The box and then
the fair child threw herself again on her knees
buried her face in her hands. After silence
of some minutes, broken only by faint sobs, she
sung once more, in low and tremulous tones,
tho hymn, which seemed to her a talisman for
all evil, and then calmly laying her head on the
pillow, and murmurng the name which was
music TO her soul, sunk into The soft and deep
slumber Of innocence and youth.
For nearly year had the young libertlne,
Howard Grey. pursued her with his unhallowed
passion, aided as he vainly imagined by his
costly and tasteful gift; but there seemed Il ma
gic halo around the young Virginia, through
which no shadow of evil could penetrate. Be-
sides the native purity and delicacy Of her
mind, there were two other influences at work
in the beautiful web Of her destiny, TO prevent
any coarse or dark thread from mlngling in its
tissue; one was her spiritual communion with
her mother, and the other, her affsclionate re-
membrance of Russell Harlley---the only being
in whose eyes she had ever read the sympathy
for which her lenely and lovely heart yesrned
always.
1t was evening again. The young ladies
had assembled dressed for the ball, in the di-
ning-room-aIl bu, Virginia. Where is the
swee, child 2 asked an invalid teacher, TO whom
she had endearsd herself by her graceful and
affectonate attentions.
"She was so long helping me and sister
Dress" said lule shy-looking girl, THAT she
has been belaied"
81 will go and assis, her myself" said the
principal of the school, pleased with this proof
Of kindheartedness on The part of her new pu-
pill.
She softly opened the door Of Virgina's room,
and almost started al the charming picture
which met her eye. ROBBED in white, with her
singularly beautiful hair falling in fair, soft curls
around her face, which was lighted up by
smile Of almost raptureus hope and joy, the
young girl stood in attitude of enchanting
grace, raising in both hands 10 adjust, amid the
bralls behind, half wreath Of glowing and
richly tinted autumn leaves.
"Lot me arrange il for you. my child" said
the lady approaching, and Virginia bent her
fair head modestly To her bidding, and then,
hand in hand, they descended TO the drawing
ROOM Many Of the company had arrived-the
doors leading 10 the ballroom had been thrown
open, and Virg inia was almost dazzled by the
splendour of the scene into which she was
thus suddenly ushered. She blushed beneath
the eyes that were riveted upon her as she
passed
can angel" "a grace" "a musew whisper
ed the gentlemen to each other. There was
one among lhem-a noble, chivalric. looking
man---who did not speak his admiralon An
ndeGnable something in the heavenly beauty
OF that face that had touched, in his soul, a
chord which had no. vibraiel for many years
before Virginia knew him at once. The rich
chesnut curls of the boy Of twenty had now as
sumed darker tinge, the eyes a somewhat
softer fire, and tho youthful and fexile grace
had given place to manly dignity Of mien but
there was no mistaking the sOal in the glance
of Russell Hartley
And Virginia was decidedly the belle Of the
ball. Gay, but gracefully so, for her sPortive
mood was sofiened and restrained by charm
| ing limidiy that enhanced her LONELINESS ten
fold, she looked and moved like one inspired.
She had met Harley's admirng gaze she was
almost sure he would ask an Introduction, and
she Eel, as If her feet and heart were suddenly
gifted with wings She fioaed down the dance
like peri through the air, and then Russell
approached and he was introduced.
The sunny smile of the little match-girl shone
in her eyes, as sho accepted his arm for prom
enade. "Surely have seen that look some
" here before" he exclaimed, half aloud
+" Matches matches Six for fpp murmured
Virginia, looking archly up in his face, and the
mystery was at once explained.
Imogen Greys diamond necklace was worth
less dross in comparison with tbs wreath of
autumn leaves, which Hartley laid beneath bis
pillow that night, and all her brothers costly
offerings could not have purchased the smile
which accompanied the gift.
Reader, if you ever 60 TO Kentucky, come 10
me for letter Of introduction TO Mrs. Russell
Hartley. She is looked up TO, respected and
beloved by all the country round, and am sure
you will enjoy her graceful and cordial alien