Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-05-12
Filtration and Coquetry.

Filtration and COquetry.
The sun was sinking beneath the hori-
zen. and the beautiful clouds, tinged with
his glowing colors, had almost disappeared
behind the mountains which overlooked
the country seat Of Buckwood-but there
still remained enough light to distinguish
the several groups assembled on It's vine
trelliced piazza. ;,
Leaning against one of the marble pill
lars was young girl, scarcely eighteen.
One small hand was placed upon the col
umn, while the other was employed IN
playing with the auburn curls that cluster.
ed around her bright countenance. The
slight, sylph-like form seemed to be con-
staptly in motion, and the little foot was
busily occupied in tracing circle on the
marble floor beneath. 1t was evident that
something agitating was occurring-which
can only be accounted for by describing
her companion, man of noble, military
appearance and naughty demeanor, whose
proud features were unusually disturbed,
as he regarded his lovely companion,
awaiting her reply. "Oh! Lord Gilmore"
exclaimed she, while her whole face be-
came conyulscd with merriment, "only
see how the sun is lighting up uncle's
faxen wight is almost orange colored !!
Gertrude, how can you,' he exclaimed,
strife with me in this manner l
have asked you question on which the
happiness Of my life depends, and you an
swer it by directing my attention to your
uncle's wig-but might have expected
this. Now, / wish-nay, Insist on know
ing if our intercourse for the last few
weeks has been considered BY you merely
as passing Irritation, or in the serious
light that Ihave regarded it?'
She looked into his face with an ex-
precision of assumed surprise, and, with
an embarrassed air, said: | really do not
understand you, Lord Gilmore; but bark !
Isabella is calling, / must CO.
Gertrude, one word only exclaimed
he, Selling her hand. =.
mo, not one; you have talked enough
in the last quarter Of an hour to last a
week, and never encourage loquacity :
and, releasing herself from his grasp, she
few down the steps to join her sister.
An expression Of pain passed over the
gentleman's features, and, shading his
brow with his hand, he walked off in an.
other direction.
Gertrude, Gertrude, what have you
been saying to Lord Gilmore p asked her
sister, as she put her arm around her ard
led her into the garden.
what have you been hearing from Ed
ward Harvey-ah! Isabellai'
That you will soon know said her
sister, her face crimsoning as she spoke.
sAnd you are positively engaged, Isa-
bella p said Gertrude, with an air of dis
gust; engaged at nineteen, and not sim
gle Irritation to boast of-how stupid!'
And who would pass the sweetest,
most attractive part of a woman's life in a
series of flirtations? p exclaimed Isabella,
Indignantly. who would not prefer Sc
curing one true heart to breaking thou
sands? Gertrude, l warn you of the
course you are pursuing you will live to
repent it.
DO not PREACH said her lovely sister !;
Il have just been undergoing sermon
from Henry Gilmore, and my politeness
will not extend through another : and,
withdrawing her arm from within her sis
ter's, she ran into the house to prepare
for ball to be given in the neighborhood.
Isabella and Gertrude R. were orphans,
and had been SO from childhood; bu; the
kind care Of their rich uncle, Lord Her
bert, prevented them from feeling their
loss. Both wealthy, beautiful and amia-
bic, they were commencing that career
which usually attends the young under
such circumstances. Buckwood was ra-
pidly becoming resort for the most FASH
ionable characters Of the day-fortune
hunters, of every description, included.
Perfectly unrestrained, and every wish
gretifed, it seemed strange that at SO early
an age Isabella should have fixed her af-
fections and given her hand to one who
possessed nothing to recommend him but
merit and talent; but Isabella was no
common character. Educated by a lady
whose talents 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
appreciate her character or profit by her
instructions. And though her natural dis
position was as lovely as her appearance,
Gertrude was consummate coquette, in
every sense of the word. She could not
be happy unless Irritation was in pro-
sress. Though not eighteen, she had res
ceived several offers, for her manners
were singularly fascinating, and, united to
her youth and loneliness, rendered her al
most irresistible. Yet she was not DELHI
-sratsly wicksd-she did not break hearts
Tor the love Of breaking hearts; but she
always assured her sister that sshe had
no idea people would offer themselves
they might know she was not Serious
Gertrude, too, went on wrong principle
in her rejections--she thought II the best
way to laugh off the affair but she little
knew the agony that the wounded sensi.
tive heart feels, when tina, upon which its
sole earthly happiness depends is laughed
at as a jest.
In about an hour from the last convers,