The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-10-08
For the New Era.
FILTRATION AND Coo,rrrpv

49, '|~PH'"'No Cttt WIG mOnnlalnS.
which overlooked the country seat of Buck wood
but there still remained enough light To dis,in.
gulsh The several groups assembled on its vine
,relliced piazza.
Leaning against one of the marble pillars. was
a young girl scarcely eighteen. One small hand
was placed on the column. while the other was
employed playing with the auburn curls that
clustered around her bright countenance. The
slight sylph like form seemed to be constantly i'm
motion, aud the little foot was busily occupied
tracing a circle on the marble fuor beneath. II
was evident that something agitating was occur
ring. which can only be accounted for by describ.
ing her companion. a military man Of noble ap-
Pearance and naughty demeanor, whose proud
features were unusually disturbed, as he regard
ed MS lovely companion. awaiting her reply.
"Oh! Lord Fillmore" exclaimed she, while her
whole lace became convulsed with merriment.
: only look how the sun is lighting mp uncle's
haxen wig, it is almost orange colored % =. Ger
tfude, how can you" he exclaimed. "how can
yon TITLE with inc in this manner? | have asked
you a question, on which the happiness of my
life depends, and you answer it by directing my
attention to your uncle's wig, bnt | might have
expected it, Now, | wish, nay, | insist upon
knowing IT our intercourse for The last few weeks
has been considered by you merely as a passing
Irritation, or in The serious light | have regarded
it,"
She looked into his face with an expression of
assumed surprise, and with an embarrassed air
said, 4" really do not understand ynu, Lord Ell
more. but bark Isabella is calling me, | must
go"
Gertrude, one word only" exclaimed he,
seizing her hand. mol moi one. you have
talked enough in the last quarter an hour To last
a week. and never encourage loquacity," and
releasing herself frum his grasp, she flew down
the steps To join her sister. An expression of
pain passed over the genileman's features, and
shading his brow with his hand he walked off in
another direction. Gertrude, Gertrude, what
have you been saying to Lord Ellmore,' said her
sister, as she put her arm around her and led her
into the garden2
What have you been hearing from Edward
Harvey, all ! Isabelle 70 THAT you will soon
know said her sister, her face crimsonino as she
spoke.
And you are positively engaged, Isabelle ?'
said Gertrude, with an air of disgust; &" engaged
at nineteen, and not a single filtration to boast of,
how stupid 2" And who would pass the sweet.
est. most attractive period of a woman's life in a
series of firlatiuns." exclaimed Isabelle indig.
nantly -" who would not prefer securing one true
heart to breaking hundreds2 Gertrude, | warn
you OF the course you are pursuing, you will learn
to repent it," "Do not preach" said her lovely
sister, " have just been undergoing a sermon
from Henry Fillmore. and my politeness will not
extend through another" and Withdrawing her
arm from within her sisters, she ran into the
house to prepare for a ball to be given in the
neighborhnod.
Isabelle and Gertrude r., were orphans. and
had been 50 from childhood. but the kind care of
their rich uncle. Lord Herbert. prevented them
from feeling their loss. Both wealthy, beautiful
and amiablp, they were commencing that career
which usually attends the young under such cir
cums,ances. Buckwood was rapidly becoming a
resort for the most fashionable characters of the
day, fortune hunters OF every description included.
Perfectly untestTained, and every wish gralifed,
it may seem strange that at so early an age, lisa.
belle should have fixed her affections, and given
her hand TO one who possessed nothing to recon-.
mend him but merit and talent but Isabelle was
no common character. Educated by a lady whose
character far surpassed the standard of that by
which she was surrounded she had early imbibed
lessons of wisdom which proved her safeguard
through life. This beloved teacher was removed
from earth while Gertrude was too young to an
preciate her character, or profit by her ~instruc-
tions. And though her natural disposition was
as lovely as her appearance, Gertrude was a con-
snmmate coquette in every sense of the word.
she could not be happy unless a filtration was in
progress and though not eighteen she had re-
celved several offers, for her manners were sinou-
larly fascinating, and united to her youth and
loneliness rendered her almost irresistible, and
vel she was not deliberately wicked she did not
"" WI WIZ IONG vi DIedhtUD nedTtS. out
as she always assured her sister, she had no
idea people would offer lhemSelves-they might
know she was not serious" Gertrude too went on
a wrong principle in her rejeciiuns; she thought
the best way was to laugh off the affair, but she
little knew the agony, the wounded sensitive heart
feels, when that upon which its sole earthly hap
piness depends, is laughed at as a jest.
In about an hour from the last conversation, the
two sisters entered The ball room. Isabelle lean
inO N N the arm nf EIuaYd IIar,ou -.
eyes sparkling with a chastened joy. Gertrude,
surrounded by beaus, her eyes shining even more
brightly in The anticipation of numerous cononests.
But one OF that usual train uf admirers had disap.
peared, never 10 resume his place. Lord Fillmore
had left the country. No shadow passed over
GeTirude's fair cheek as she heard the intelli-
gence and lsabelle's mild, sorrowful look, was
answered by a sancy glance at Edward Harvey,
which iestanlly crimsnnpd her sisters cheek.
The lion of The evening was, The young Lord
OF WIntersieId. who having just come into pos
session OF his esiates, had determined TO signalize
The event by giving a ball to the village, and to
The surrounding gentry of the country in which
his lands lay.
The fame Of the fair sisters had spread far and
wide, and many anxious glancps were cast by the
young Lord 10 the door by which they mus. en-
ter. He bad positively made up his mind to fall
IN love with one, and this evening was to decide
his choice.
~lsaoelIe's engagement, was suon announced
throughout The room: so that he had at once
turned his attentions TO Gertrude. 'ls she not
surprisingly lovely % said he, as he passed Har.
vey on his way TO receive an introduction. Yes
was the reply, &" bot as you value your happiness
do not Tx yonr affections on Gertrude RI But
The warning was not needed, and intoxicated with
her beauty, he soon became her slave.
"Oh! Isabelle have we not had a charming
evening" was the first exclamation, as she en-,
tered her chamber?
" We have indeed" replied her sister. How
strange" SAID Gertrude, Z" that You should have
mad a pleasant evening, talking to no one bot those
old friends Of uncle's and Edward Haryey's-