Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1847-02-25

yer TAILS 10 excite deep interest II In,
mind o. the ooserver, She sighed often
q she leaned over The piece Of 81 broide
lIy upon which she was engaged, and nov
ana then look Of abstraction showed 81,
was ihinking deeply. There vas slish
4 ZAP A the doos And her father en,esed.
4. Al. he exclaimed, IS be took sea
beside her. have yoa heard ibe news
Your old friend. Walter Clsndon. arrived
10 town this morning. and WIN Be ii he
ball 10 morrow night"
Alice, started aud deep flush over.
spread her fsce 81 Waters name VI.
meniionsd. sad then becoming pale ..
deslh. she erlsped I stand 10 front OF he,
Tor support. Her fathes was examinipe
her work at tie time, and carelsssiy con.
! iinned- ii
you will 20. viii you moth II will B.
grand affair 10 judge from The num-
Der OF invitations that have been sent
louL"
Certainly. pa. il you wish ill., Alice
replied, supervising her emotions with q
violent effort.
u do not wish you 10 90 against vour
inclination. Alice, said Mr.. Alton; .'bu,
you have been out 50 little OF late, that |
lesrsyour health may suffer. b, was
speaking Of MI. Clandon. He has, as 1
expected. risen 10 some distinction as .
lawyer; and be now occupies station Of
which be may well be proud, Tor il has
been gained solely by his own energy
and perseSerance. Il is singular, though
be has never married. and lumor says be
Is Observation-Disclosures To tie charms
OF your sex. OF course all our marriage
bic lasses are dying 10 see him; and 10
have 40 OPPORTUNITY ofirting their pow
ers 10 cs?'ivate-surely you win no, be
behind the rest?" "a
He looked ~ her archly as be finish
ed, As il be expected a lively response I;
but his face assumed a sad expression,
and his heart bIed. as he saw the isl y
attempt Al smile with which she receiv-
&c his baniering. Ever since the night
offer intended union with Melville, II
had been thus. Though he Immediately
broke of the match. and did all in bis
power 70 rouse her from the deep dejec-
ton into which she sunk. be failed in al
his ate mPts TO cheer her. and be had 10
endure tae misery Of seeing his child gra.
dually fading, from the effects of mel.
ancholy for which he could not account
He looked at her sorrow fully for mo.
ment, and then, taking both her hands 10
bis. be inquired, with all the tender soli-
ciinde Of q parent, the cause Of her sad
ness. Her dolly answer was Hood OF
tears. as she threw herselfupon bis bosom.
The ball. AlIwas life asd light. M.
sic and gay laughter ran mingled upon
the still air Of cloudless. moonli CHI,
summer night-snd even the very echoes
seemed moulded by invisible spirits, 10
harmonious melody. Sparkling ewes.
scarce surpassed in brilliancy by the gems
| flashing in the raven tresses beside the m
and flowers and lights. everywhere mel
and dazzled The beholder. Forms Of re-.
minnie and manly beauty glanced by ii
the circliug waltz or mazy condition, 10 ak
ing il one moving scene Of lie and be u
". Many fair girls heart beat biet
with joy, as she felt almost intoxicated
by this wild Whit Of pleasure. But va
there not misefythere too were all hap
pYs
Mr.. Atoms carriage arrived late. A,
Alice stood for q lew moments in the yes
thule. listening 10 the loud hum Of voices
and the creaking Of the floors overhead
as the dancers moved across them. sh,
felt that il was no place for her; and sht
would have given worlds 10 have beer
back again 10 her own quiet little home
even il It we're toHbrood. ovet the passion
that were consuming her. There was iria
before her-A trial ubich mi any, thousand
that the world tecks moi Of, undergo daily
houtly. She was about 10 meet on,
whose image she had secretly cberishe.
for years with alIths desotedness Of wo
mans pure first love. She: must show
no feeling. No;Eshe must guard we'll ev
cry action. every word and look lest The,
beirsy her secreE And not only this, SD,
must dissemble- mast mask Will
smiles her bleeding wrilhing besti-he
words must be cold and formal, whea he
very soul Is OVERLOOKING with tenderness
Sne must DO inis, or subject herself 4
scorn and ridicufe. o, woman! little d,
we know how often thy brig hiest smile
hide thy deepest misery bow often III.
/ warmest. purest feelings are crushed er,
they can spring 10 light, fot feat q heart
less world may eensure.
| On entering the room. almost The frs
person Alice encountered was. xWslle
Clsndon. standing near The doorway. sur
|rounded by circle Of old scquslnisnces
i He Wss changed-so changed that sh
scarcely kne y him. He bad The sam
noble bearing The SANE proud glance G
the eye. but tiiere was that written on hi
brow which showed communion wit
baftowipg tbought-the fierce struggle
lis spirit bad undergone in.Ithe yesfs1ths
Il had passed. The look Of joyful recogni
ton with which be 81 FIRST regarded Alice
was changed 10 one Of naughty respect q
she responded to bis ss.u,a;ions and inqui
/. ries sf'er her health. with asmile and ton
J Of voice which effeciuslly concealed b.
/ real feelings. Her secrets were safl
!. Tor ihe very intensity Of her feelings mad
! her more distant. and reserved than st
: intended.
She passed on. and in short time Vi
: In the midst Of her sdmirefs. 10 who
r light conversation she responded With
d vivacity as brilliant Is il was unusual :
Hef laugh was the lighiest, and be: smi
b among ths brightssl; and many who kne
0 her best. remarked that they had nes
! seen her 90 cheerful and happy. Hspp.
. How would fheys have sbrunk back q