Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-02-04

my own home, judging it better that sht
should be removed as soon as possible
from the scene of desola:ion. 1t wa,
some time ere my poor Ada recovered
from the shock she had sustained from
her loss; but she was in the first bloom
Of youth, and the natural gayety of hel
disposition prevailed at length, over hel
passionate grief and had the happiness
ofonce more seeing her participate in the
amusement so natural 10 her age.
And it was now that discovered the
value of the treasure of which | had SC
lawfully become the possessor; pentle
and docileas a young fawSih, win a spir.
it blithe and joyous in no comm on de,
gree. She was indeed winning crea.
ture, and exercised singular influence
over all with whom she was intimately
acquainted.
To her ardent fancy the whole world
seemed one vast garden, filled with the
loveliest and choicest flowers. In vain
| pointed out the thorns that might as.
sail and wound her in her path. She
would not heed me. could have wept
as | looked on that glowing counte.
nance; for we'll l knew from sad expe-
rience that the time must come when
her bright illusions must be dispelled,
and she must see the world des poied
of all the charm which they had cast
around it, dreaded the effect that
disappointment would have on her
young heart if the veil should be su ID.
denly rent asunder by the overthrow
of her long cherished hopes: but it was
useless to reason with her; l could not
even succeed in raising a doubt in her
mind as to infallibiIity other own creed.
One evening in particular | remem-
ber we had been having a long conver.
sation on the subject, when, turning sud.
denly tome, she exclaimed, 'Well, ,even
if it be so, dear Mrs. Middleton, if |
must one Of these days in my own per-
son prove the truth Of your assertions,
| shall. at all events, have enjoyed much
happiness in Imagination. My illusions,
if they be Illusions she added, laughing,
you must confess are more pleasant
than the picture you draw of life, there
fore | shall continue to dream on till
absolutely forced to awaken Saying
which she bounded from the room ia
prepare for large ball to which we
were that evening invited. At my age
the toilette is not an affair ofmuch con.
sequence, and had been some time in
the drawing.room when Ada again
made her appearance. 1 thought | had
never seen lovelier face and form as
she walked up TO me and smilngly ask.
ed, DO you not think | shall break ma.
ny hearts to.nigth?'
your dress is very pretty | answered
Il know that, but what do you think
of the wearerl' she returned.
my opinion is Of no consequence,
you giddy child, for you have already
taken Counsels advice, and will no
doubt abide by the decision of your
looking-glass. Shall we go?'
Il am quite ready she replied; and
in less than ten minutes, we entered the
crowded hall of fashion, mirth and rev.
elry.
There were lovely faces and grace>
full forms among the brilliant throng but
l felt that none could surpass the bright
creature leaning on my arm; and, as
marked the admlripg glances which
followed hersas we traversed the apart.
ment my heart beat with as much pride
and satisfaction as if she had been in
deed my daughter.
1 need not say how eagerly her hand
was sought for the ensuing dances. The
palm OF beauty was accorded to hel
without dissenting voice; but there
was one on whom that beauty had made
no slight impression. ~.
At almost every ball of the season
had remarked a young man Of singu.
larly striking and prepossessing appear
ance, who, however, seemed to feel lit.
tie or no interest in the gaiety around
him, rarely, if ever, joining IN the dance
His manner excited my curiosity, and
must confess that not unfrequently
found myself dividing my attention be-
tween my own fair charge and the
naughty. though to me interesting. Mr.
Herbert. soon perceived that not
withstanding his apparent indifference
to all around him, that his eye was con
stantly fixed on the graceful figure o
my adopted child, but hitherto he hae
never endeavored to obtain an intro
duction or in any way to court her no
tice; Judge, therefore, Of my astonish
ment when on this evening | saw my
gentle Ada leaning on his arm, and evi
IDENTIFY about to take her place in th'
quadrille which was forming.
With sensation Of anxiety for whicl
I could in no way account, rose from
my seat and approached as near as pos
sible to the place where they wer,