The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-12-19

Where | beheld what never was 10 be- ::
All feelings chnng'd, hui THIS was last iovar..
a spell from which even yet am not
quite free" BYRON.
There is no record Of the heart tran
scribcd with truth, not the slightest of its
secret workings carefully exposed, that
can fail to interest.
But this care extends to such deli
cate points, to so nice distinction in
the application of terms, that few in
deed Of the most popular writer's have
rendered them interesting; and most
dclincalions Of the tender passion dcs-
ccnd 90 the ridiculous. | ever fail in
dcr~.ption: and, besides, my own con-
ncction with his story Will be no aid to
its unvarnishcd recilai-tor, whatsoev-
er mav be believed to the contrary it
is most Gcuit 60 picture truthtnliy
that witt llc details of whicii We are
Intimately acquainted. These disad.
vanta.cs might be sufficient to deter
inc from the attcml {; but there is at
one least Of bright eyes that will
sparkle over these pages, and Il may
be pleasant for their owner TO know that
my branch OF our common memories IS
not dead or withcrcd yet. 1t never
will br. God bless thee, Mary! / call
her hilary. There are some who know
the tale of old; it may be only delicate to
wave her rightful title: and call her
Mary for ! love the name. How many
high, pure and holy associations gather
at the sound Of Mary, may every Mary
he as blcst her whose name is written
high above all others in time and in
eternity, holy and good
Mary Bentley was Il country girl
not such an one, | would have you to
understand me, as the fact would nat
urally call to your mind in its associ;,.
ton With rigs and poultry, COWS ana
corns,alks, milk ard milkmaids--not
fat and rosy-chceked and ripe looking,
but pale and delicate and slender, With
face asking to be protected as well
as l,vcd.
Calling Of an afternoon upon the
TS'laughtcr of Mr.. Gas near as wish
to 60 the initial) wealthy citizen of
, in which town l then was resi-
ding, l met her. She admitted me,
and being stranger, | bowed and ask
cd for the object of my visit. After
handing in my card, she returned to the
pa,lour and seated herself at an open
window that looked out upon the lawn
in front. In form she was tall and very
graceful, and, as have stated, deli
cate. She had mild grey eye, but
brilliant when in conversation; and she
possessed that ornament to woman, q
head Of beautiful black hair. She was
tastcfully dressed, without other decor
alton than rosebud in her bosoln, in
pure white.
| did not sit long in silence, for it is
awkward; and as the day was unques.
tionably fine, | said so. Now, there is a
stereotype reply to all remarks upon the
weather, and l once heard Of bashful
lover who, POLITICALLY saying o. a bright
evening, "Quitc IL moon, was answered
by his mistress, very" But Miss
Bentley was by no means poor i'll
thoughts, or in language to express
them. She spoke OF its influence upon
the flowers and fields, and led the con
versation into such pleasant view, that
| saw she did not lack fancy either.
She convcrsed on different themes
pending Miss Rs Appearance, and
more than once l caught my gaze rest
ing upon her countcnance with some
thing beyo . usual interest. There
was nothing Of high mark stamped there
She was even plain to the outward eye,
and in one feature hom"ly. But there
was grace and case about her, mnn.
nctism ofexprcssion, that my heart holds
to be beauty if my head rejects it.
While we were talking, Miss h
glided in, and bidding me welcome, said
"Mr. Fort--Aliss Bentley" Miss
Bentley! J" | repeated.
"You are somewhat latc;" said Miss
Bentley, laughing, do you think us
80 dul! aa to SIT here all this while with,
out making each others acquaintance. !"
"Compllmentary--i mt it, Mr.. Fort?
she added, turning tome,
"Miss R--might have thought 90
without being very uncomplimcntary''
said flor there are few persons in
whose society a stranger would find
himself SO perfectly at ease in SO short
a time as in that of Miss Bentley"
"No compliments, | pay You !''replied
Miss Bentley, cor I may he jealous
qui1cally added Miss R, "How
unfortunate" said !, "that gould RQl