The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-05-04


despised her; she longcd to throw herself
at the fec, Of Mrs. Lennard, and pour forth
her gratitude for her kindness, hut she res
trained her feelings, and silently took the
scat offered her. For few minutes her
voice trcmblcd as she read, but she soon
became So much interested in tho volume,
that herself and every thing around her
was iorgo,ieu her oxquisitly sweet voice
roso full and clear, her eyes l,eamcd with
animation, and pleasant smile PLAYED
around her lips. Mis- Clara bant over her
bit Of fancy needle work, ms il il was the
most important thing in tho world, md
must tie finished Immediately; while her
countcnance if possible became still more
flushed aud nnQry; nnd Mrs. Lcnnard
rocked herself slowly in her chair, with
her eyes fixed constantly on the fair face
81 the reader, j. seemed, ia pleasant con-
temptation.
While they were thus engaged, the door
Of the apartment opened, nnd another indi-
sidual joined the little company; hut So
silently was tho entry made, that no one
observed IL; and ms the person seated him.
| SELF from the table nj which the ladies' snt,
no one but Mrs. Lennard was aware Of his
presence. Had Helen known whose eyes
were fixed ON her countcnance, and how
earnest and searching was their expression,
her voice might have lost some Of its firm
ness aud clearncss, and Miss Clara, had
she known who was near her, would have
wreathed her broN in her sweetest smiles !;
hut neither Of them imagined who WIS
nc ar them FIR the next hour.
May ask n qncstinnY said Helen nj
length, raising her eyes from her book aud
directing them to Mrs. Leonard.
The Indy bowed pleasantly, and Helen
made some inquiry MS 10 the import of
wha, she had just rcnd.
:! lear shall nut be able to answer sat-
'-inctoriis,' said Mrs. Lcnnnrd--and turn
ing toward tie door, she nskcd-'Charlcs,
can YOU answer the query?
The Young gentleman arose and drew
his chair H. the table. Clara and Helen
inukcJ az. bnt the eyes Of the latter fell
instantly, TOR The gentleman who bad pur-
chased her bird and rosc.lrcc, he who had
thought enough afterwards In send her the
lsqnt. AID he whom she had dreamed ii
50 "tten, was how near her, and she had
srcn his eyes directed towards herself
Helen did not blush nor turn pale, howc,.
or, al least no one saw il, it she did slightly
change color; hni Miss Ciarn's face was of
the deepest crimson, rs she inquired of the
.cn'lcnan in il lrcmulous tone, how lon.
he had been in the par.or, and why he had
cntcred 50 noiselessly; fur she feared that
hc had observed The scnrniil glanccs which
she hid directed toward the beautiful but
po"r stranger. and had known the ancr,
feelings which had rervadcd her soul. Iii.
reply restored her self pnssessinn; aud
fearing thnt Helen might again lie Lruieh h,
into n,iicc hs Mrs .cnnard, she rose from
her se;st. and rcnaiking IL the ,o.,ng nan
'h,t she had hccn waiting for him hong time
to charm him with ~ new waltz, which She
had lcarncd during the day, placed her
hand 10 his, and they proceeded to the pi.
an" together.
'shalI retire now ? asked Helen, in a
low v"icc, 81 Mrs. Lcnnard.
M, No. whispered the lndy--'rcmain
here and listen ~ Miss Clara's pla, ing
Are von MI fond at ,nusirV
ph. ycsr returned Helcn-I could lis.
ten In il forever; but my presence may
he intrusive.
No, n, ALL said tho Indy, 4 love 10 see
Won here
When Miss Clara had played ecyernl
fine, spirited wnlI2es, and had received the
srnieman's compliments, Mrs Lennard
requested her Ia turn Ia the beautiful duet
which she had sung n, tho party the eve
ming previous with Miss Eaton.
Perhaps Helen can perform one part
Da,ou MT sing , said she, turning 10 Tie
surprised girl.
'Oh cannot sing tonight, aunt said
Miss Clara quickly --'you know am very
hoarse.'
i nm sorry,' said Mrs. Lennurd, 'for ]
had hoped Ia hear pleasant voice tonight
one That il swcetcr than nj the instrument
,nl music in the world. Come Helen, von
mus, sing To Ms, then. Miss Clara will
accompany ,nur voice nn the piano. she
,dded. rs she approached the instrument
and iot'kci on Helen to follow her,
.pardon me, Mrs Lcnnard.' said Helen
in n gentle tome, the beautiful songs which
Miss Clara sings, most likely never
heard; and let mo not spoil her fine play.
ing. b. attempting 70 sing what is entirely
new 10 me-
Mrs. Lcnnard was about to reply, when
the Young gentleman touched his fingers
lightly on the piano, and the soft. sweet
me'ody, which il bicaihcd, filled Hclcn's
soul with rapture, aud in low, rich Voice,
-s,e sung tho ..Guod Night IL The flowers
aud BIRDS which. in her cbiidhood, her
dear mother had composed and learned IL
her and her beautiful dark.cycd sister,
the sntnc sweet little song which she had
sung 10 her pct canary and rose tree, when