Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1845-10-15
. OF 60 easily cast his image from her

AOWtuA WttH tEO "No'th ~
ardent affections, and which could moi
be contested with the love OF a parent,
idolizing though it was. So, it was no
wonder that the words and looks ofone
ike him, should open new fountain
N her heart, whose pure and holy was
ters should never cease to gush forth
with sad and mournful music. Zaila
knew that his rank was far above hers
and that, probably. long before this,
he had ceased to think Of the humble
songstress Of the grove. Still was the
remembrance of linn ever clouding
the sudshine Of her heart, till her soft
cheek grew more transparent, her
fawn.like steps less agile, and the Ian
gushing light in her dark eye, more
earnest and tremblingly fearful; yet
was she more spiritually beautiful. AT
last the sad music which was trembl.
ing on her heart-strings formed itself
into words and was breathed from her
lips in numbers OFFENSIVE and mourn
ful sweetness. Then, indeed did every
heart acknowledge the wondrous pow
ers of the lovely songstress; but she
needed not their praise, and only long.
ed 10 be free from their batteries.
The Gipsey woman could not but
note the sorrow that was preying upon
her child, and when at length she won
from the blushing maiden the confess
sion OF her love, she replied, .
Aye, aye, the time will come when
he will be proud 10 claim thee as his
bride; it will not be long, till the fulfil
ment of that for which | have SO long
suffered ..-..
Zaila looked with wonder upon her
parent as she said this, but she question.
ed her not, for she felt that her destiny,
perhaps, was to be strange one, and
the dim recollection of a thousand long
past incidents crowded upon her mind.
And now, there came a message
from the Queen, requesting Zalia 10 be
present at court and give concert to
the assembled mobiles of the land. Great
as was the distinction, Zaila would fain
have declined the invitation, had not
her mother babe her accept it. With
her own hand her mother attred her
for the festival, and as she fastened the
last rich braid of hair in its place, whis.
pered, You will not return the same as
you are now.'
Zaila replied not, save by an enquir.
ing glance, and departed with secret
hope Of seeing the young hunter who
had saved her life.
The spacious and lofty musicians
ball was filled with the noblest person>
ages of the land; but there was no
naughty .ladie' present, whose proud
lips deigned not to bestow need oI
praise upon the youthful songstress,
as she timidly entered, and was led
with downcast eyes, into the presence
Of the Queen. Never perhaps had she
looked so exquisitely lovely, as when
she bIushingly received the token Of
the Queens favor, in the shape of a
magnificent diamond bracelet, which
her majesty clasped with her own hands
upon her small wrist. A robe of GRIM
son velvet set off her dark complexion
and graceful form to the utmost advan-
tage; whilst her raven tresses, which
usually fell IN rich profuslon on her
swan.like neck, were parted into glossy
braids, and negligently fastened by a
gold pin. Her rounded arms were bare
being shaded only by pail Of richly
worked lace, and her tiny foot wa:
thrust into dainty slipper of embroid
cred satin.
When Zaila seated herself, she glanc
ed inquiringly around, in search of a
never to be forgotten one, but the face
of the young hunter greeted her not
and with feeling of disappointment
she turned to her lutte. If expression:
of admiration had not been murmuree
before, when her slender fingers wan
dered among the lute-strings, calling
forth the most thrilling strains Of witch
ing melody, and minglng with then
the soft clear tones of her sweet voice
then it was that their power could b.
traced, in the still and scarcely breath
ing auditory. But when voice and Iut'
ceased, a perfect shower of applause
and clapping Of tiny hands, and throw
ing of flowers. might have rivalled
like scene in Partisan theatre.
Whilst Zaila was singing, a dee]
groan sounded through the hall, and
nobIeman who had just entered, fell in
sensible into the arms of his servants
and was borne off.
In the confusion which followed. Ia
ia heard the name Of Count Leline
ford frequently mentioned; but thoug
it sounded familiar to her, she coul
not recoIlcct where she had heard 1t.
The company had departed fror
the musicians hall and Zalla was
one ofthe suites of looms belonging
the maids of honor, who were curious