Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-07-13

u
Here was his friend madly in love with an art
r ful woman, whom week before he had ridlcul-
ed and proiesscd to despise. lie shrugged hls
shoulders
4 Well he said, there is no accounting for
4 tastes. You thought very differently Of this
widow a week ago. To my notion now, Miss
Devon, with her simple, but tree-hca'tcd wo-
manly character, so natural and artless, is worth
dozen such cold, heartlcss pieces of artificial
ity as this beautiful and designing widow
You don't know her, Harry said Oxford,
yawning, as if to hint good humoredly that he
was tired Of this lecturing. was IN "A bad hui
NOR, last week, and said some severe things,
am afraid And he rose to depart.
/ Take care, said Harry, ycxed beyond all
mcasure-' take care that your first impressions
were not the best. You are wealthy, talented
and have high position in society; don't
know, TO use your own phrase, where she can
find cholcer game
Wen not quarrel, Harry said his friend
with provoking coolness. We are too old for
that But, trust me, you II admire my bride as
much as others when am married And with
these words he sauntered from the room.
Then he is going to marry her-the dupe =
said Harry, bitterly, locking himself up for ,he
rest Of the evening.
proof of the unaccoun,ablc folly ofhis friend -
From morning until night Oxford scarcely left
the reigRlng bcauty's side, except when, TO
pique her, he went over and convcrscd with
Miss Devon. At such times the changing col
or and embarrassed air Of the latter too well
revealed the situation of her heart: aud the trl-
, umphant glance which Mrs. Smith cast on the
poor girl wncn Oxford returned To her side,
showed that she saw and trlumphcd in Miss
Eevon's hopeless affection.
The season was now drawing to close
Numbers were leaving every day, and among
these went a large portion of the reignlng beau
ty's admirers. RumOr sand that most of them
tried their fortune before their departure; ; and
that they were scycrally refused. The widow
Smith expressed her concern and regret at the
state of their affection such thing as love,
she declared, had never entered her thoughts
she had lnnoccn,y yielded 10 the pleasure Of
their society and the charm of a harmless friend
ship; and with this prctllly turned speech she
dismissed each and all OF her lovers, they to
curse ihelr folly, and she 10 laugh at them for
dupes.
Only one of her lovers now remained He
was millionaire, but Inbred, and without a
spark of intellect. 4 lucky speculation had
mace him rich, and be adorcd his gold. But
beauty, and desired, moreover, to disgrace Ok
ford, whom he hated for ms refinement by sup
planting him with his mistress. The strife, be-
tween the two rivals, grew quite animated as
the season approached a close. Far richer than
Oxford. the millionaire slrovc 10 Outshlnc him
by the splcndor of eQuipagc and servants. The
fair cause of this contest held the scales evenly
and managed with cousumatc skill to give each
suitor equal encouragement. To-day The mil
lonairc star was ~ the asccndcnt, for the beau
tliul widow had ridden out with him. leaving Ok
ford to Miss Devon tomorrow, the latter was
the victor. for he kept Mrs. Smith engaged all
the evening bv his brilliant conversation The
whole company became, finally, engaged rs
spectators IN the contest. The far beauty
seemed seriously tn hesitate between the great
wealth and personal dement's ut the one, and
high breeding and ampl fortune oi the other.
At length. III contest for the honor uf part
ner AT the last public ball, Oxford carried oft
the palm, and bccane victor for that very nlgH,
without even the iormallty of a leave taking,
the indignant millionaire departed, vowug llSt
women were all nlts and that his la m.-rrrss
was the greatest plt Of all.
The next morning Mrs Smith appeared az She
breakfast table arr;.ycd IN her most hcwltchlng
morning dress, aud wearing her most seductive
smiles. \ slight irown ind ed gathered on her
brow when she saw that Oxford, instead oi haN-
ing taken his usual seat by her char, had chos-
en- one next to Miss Devon, who wasali blush
es and confusion. The naughty widow looked
down the table the places 50 lately filled by
her admirers were empty; Tor moment She
was neglected, and she determined that Oxford
should pay dearly for THIS momeniary dcscr-
tlOtk
The brcakfas, was over, and the carriages
were at the door, when she saw Oxford APP
preaching her ilcrmomcnt of triumph bad
come, aud as all had seen the slight, she rcsolN-
cd all should Wilu,s - his rebuff.
On you need no, think of asking me TO
ride with YOU to-day, Nh Oxford she SAID,
holding up her hands rs he approached, 'or
cannot think of such thing. Positively, feel
quite too indolcni tor 50 much cAcruoI. -
you may put up your horses.
L am very sorry sand Oxford, bowlng low,
that you do not rdc to-day, stIll more sony
that could not have the pleasure oi asking
your company but am already "g6gd to
Miss Devon Mud he paescd on.
There was an emphasis on iltr word 'cngag-
ed, which made the widow start aud her anN-
ictv was not lr.spncd when SIC saw the com
srious air with which Miss Devon suffered her
self to be handed into Oxford carriage But
she dismissed the momcniary fear with an IRON
zeal smile such a thing a. Miss Devon sup
planting her could not be- possible
Vet as the morning advanced, and she heard
around her many a whispered announcement
that Ox(od was bc,rothcd to Miss Devon, she
began To feel alarmed again.
Have your heard the news said Miss
Gravlcy ON, of those gossips with whom all
public places abound, the Lrst 10 bear news,
and the foremost to retail II where they know
it will be- unpalaialtr. Mr. Oxford is gong
tu be married to Miss Devon; heard II lrom
ihc best authority. las friend, Mr.. Newton. !
once thought hc had some fancy for YOU, but
The window arose aud gave such wllhcrng /
look "a, the old maid that she stopped abashcd \
'lfyou please, Miss Grawley, you will not I
use INV name IN any way. Good morning =
Aud with a sull bow swept from the room. n
Once IN her chamber she gave way to her 4
rage. She saw now into what net she had
fallen IL was evident that Oxford dctcrmin-
ing to foil her AT her own weapons, had sczed y
the very moment of his triumph over her last
suIlor, To signalize his engagement to Miss
Devon II