Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-02-05


nown in the Florida war-was accounted the
bravest man in the ranks--escaped from a fight
with half dozen Indians, inwhch he killed them
all with his own hand-in shorl, he comes here
on some government mission, TO inquire into the
state Of our frontier foriifcatons. There! I've
told you the best know Of the man; and now
lll tell you the worst. He is a Yankee-he
doesn't play billiards-he is shy Of the ladies'
he reads books-and what is most disgusting Of
all, he doesn't know how to waltz"
Josephine rose, and taking Fluuerwc's arm,
sauntered into the adjoining apartment. The
Lieutenant had preceded her there.
Al the dozen balls which succeeded Mrs. RS
in rapid succession, Josephine invariably met the
Lieutenant. lie seemed tohaye made the acQuain-
tance Of all the principal ladies in society, but as
yet had not sought an introduction 10 her, who
had iondly regarded herself as deserving 10 be
the paramount object Of attraction. She was pi-
qued and mortified at his apparent Indifference;
and when finally he made her acquaintance, it
seemed more the result Of accident than Of incli-
nation on his part. They met at the house Of a
mutual friend during morning call; and, with
out consulting either party, the lady Of the house
introduced the lieutenant. Another ball took
place that night; and he could not do more than
ask the honor Of Josephine's hand in the dance.
We will not describe in detail the progress of
that acquaintance, which was destined to have so
powerful a bearing upon the happiness of our he
rolne. We need only remark that the lieue-
nant was always respectful, though cold; and,
that IN proportion to his frgdity, the enamored
Josephine appeared to beuay more and more the
depth and icrvor of an attachment, which began
now 10 be matter of public observation and COM
ment 1t is said that love cannot exist without
hope. Josephine proved that there could be an
exception TO the rule. A wordof commonplace
courtesy, distant bow, or an icy, melancholy
smile from the lieutenant. were enough to feed
the fatal passion, on which she now brooded with
an intensity, of which no one had believed her
nature capable. She lost all taste for society and
amusement, except so far as it might afford her
the means of being in the society of the man for
whom she was ready to make any sacrifice.
The spring was drawing near; and the lleute-
nant, having brought to q satisfactory conclusion
the public business on which he had been enga-
ged, was making preparations to leave New Or
leans TO join his friends at the north. A letter
announcing the illness of favorte sister, sud-
denly determined him to quit the city the next
morning Ordering his attendant at the hotel tc
see that all his trunks were packed, he took a car
riage and drove round to bid farewell to the many
acquaintances from whom he had received atten
| tions. He hesitated as he entered the stree
where Josephine resided; but suddenly recoect
! ing that an unanswered note of invitation from
her to small family party lay upon his mantel.
piece, he resolved to call and decline it in person.
1t was the hour of morning calls, and several la
dies and gentlemen were assembled in her spa.
cous and richly-furnishod drawing-room. As
Josephine caught sight of the noble figure of the
lieutenant, as he was ushered by the servant into
the apartment, she stopped short in the midst of {
conversation in which she was engaged and will
sparkling eyes and smile Of triumph lighting
up all her features, rose, and hastily advanced tC
greet him. The lieutenant received her profier
ed hand with that frigid poiteness which was ha
bitual in his manner towards her. How differ
ent was the cordially of look and tone with which
he turned to greet Miss H, one of the ade.
present! But if others noticed the change, Jose
/ phine was blind to it.
After interchangng afew of those convention
al common-places, which the lieutenant coulC
utter as gracefully as any one, he rose and ap
preached Josephine, who was vainIy trying tc
appear TO be listening TO the fusome flauery of
newly-mported exquisite, whom one of theladic
had brought to see her for the first time.
81 am sorry shall not be able to be prosen
at your little gathering tomorrow evening"" SAT-
the lieutenant.
"Why so?''
81 leave New Orleans for New York to-mor
row morning"
At this announcement, sudden and unexpected
Josophine's perturbation was slrikingly apparent
The color fled from her checks. Her heart bea
and rose so as to choke her utterancc. 1t wa
some moments before she could regain her com
posure sufficiently to say with an unsuccessful at
tempt to disguise her emotions:
"But one days delay can make no difference t.
you. Indeed, youmust auendmy party. shaI
not let you off,"
"News | have Just received of the illness q
one of my sisters, will compel me to deny my
self the pleasure of remaining on any pretext-
Indeed, Miss de Nalvile and ladies', must bi
you good-by."
"But-but you will return next wlntcr?" sal
Josephine, with an attempt to command he
voice and to force u smile, the sound and sight
which were almost painful to the spectators.
81 see no present prospect of returning for ma
NY years-if ever-butneed lsay, thatif duty sha
ever lead me back, inclination will most hearth
5 welcome its guidance. Good morning, lades!''
The lieutenant bowed and withdrew. JOSE
phne made movement towards the bell-rop
, that she might give her customary signal 10 III
servant to open the street-door for the departil
guest, but her strength failed her, and, swngn
/ round, she sank into the armchair, upon tn
back of which she had been leaning.
The evening had set in before the ieuenal
found himself in his own apartment at the hote
He had still many preparations to make and som
important letters to write; and it was with the d
< termination of completing his arrangements vii
: all possible dispatch that he took his seat at h
r writing-table. He had hardly dipped his pen il
to the ink when note was brought to him. Th
superscription was in delicate female hand.