Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-07-31
The Daughter Of Night:
A STORY OF THE PRESENT TINT
BY s. W. FULLoM.
CHAPTER XyVI

| CHAPTER XXVI.
Wtn eyes flashing fire, Bewood turned round
ana beheld vavasuur, whose looks were r,vite,
on The reced'ng figure of Mlicent.
There goes the belle of the evening, Mr. Va
vasenr, said Belwood, sand how few here woul,
afeam hef history! Would you believe, seeins
her decked out in gems, as she now is. that sh,
was formerly a trap-girl in my coal mine p,
"A WHAT" answered Na"asour with start
"one OF the Mork-people in my colery.o
"lmpossible!'
''Still it is true. She left us suddenly, in yer,
mysterious way, to so out as servant. And nov
| she S-yoa see!-a fine ladyv'
'You amaze me! Aud vet cannot help think
ing you are under mistake You surely con
found her with some other person! Indeed, +
must be so I; for not only her beauty but her bril-
liant conversation, her wit, her innocence. more
conspicuous IN a mind which has evidently re-
ceived the highest culture, all marks of good
birth, as well as of breeding. You are, YOU mus
| be mistaken, Sir?"
1 'Then am mistaken in myself-in Youth
| everything see, hear and feel No. my dear sir
| what have told you is as true as the sky over.
head--as the sun in the heavens; but truth, YOU
| should remember, is sometimes stranger than fc-
ton. However, can account for this girls el-
ovation, az well as disclose her origin Not to
tire your patience, will just tell yon that she has
been adopted by widow, who is very rich, and
| ieidtton oi your own"
| 'Of mine?'
| "Yes, your aunt, though believe there is some
alienation between you--Mrs. Grantley, Of Win
| stone Manor"
''MrS. Grantley! Well. sir, am much obliged
TO you for Your information, which, confess.
should not like to have missed. Youmay rely Oh
my keeping it profound secret.'
There was something Of a gibe in the last word
uttered away mot, however without showing that
Tha ra1,.
JUNCTION to Belwood.
Navasour, indeed, was mortihed-hurt in the
tenderest sensblity, his pride. To this coliery
girl (for he felt that Belwood's narrative was
strictly true ITO this base-born nameless adven-
turess-at best, the child of misguided bounty he
had been on the point of enslavlng himself-de-
voting his love, his heart, his honor. How nigh
he had been to destruction, to bringing stigma.
an everlasting, ndeliblc slr on his name and race!
Still she fitted before him-brght as morning,
soft as eve--a syren, false Medea, besetting him
with enchantmcnts And vet, no! this he coa!d
not say; it was deceivins, deluding himself-con-
jurins up vain and lie chimera. Mcent, far
from seeking TO ensnare him, Was gone, and to
all appearance, had forgotten him, resgning her
self wholly to another. And now, in spite of his
better Judgment, drawn by resistless, overpow-
erins attraction. he followed Antony
inlamed alike by anger, jealousy and love.
He entered the lofty conservatory, flocked with
gay aid delighted guests, revelling with unmixed
enjoyment in the free play Of air, here cooled by
fountains, and rich with the incense of flowers.
His eve sought out Millicent, and BY her side
stood Lord Chdass, listening with rapt brow to
her voice, he knew too well how sweet. And
the peers slightly inclined head, downcast but
expressive look, so full of respect, of esteem, of
devotion-what revelation did they present to
an eye so spell-bound They spoke, indeed. of
feelings deep, lasting unutterabe-aot admira-
ton. not love, bat worship.
Nothing tends so much to stimulate and foster
the tender passion. in its first stages as the APP
parent progress of competitor. and in exciting
| this fruitful germ of jealousy lies woman's most
| dangerous prerogative. Though exercised uncon-
! scioasly by Mlllicent, it now subdued Vavasour,
at the same time injecting him with an eager
spirit of rivalry, and, by force of example, max
ing him look less severely, less oathinsly. on the
! strange circumstances Of her previous history.
Thus he slowly advanced, though with half
averted gaze, ashamed OF the feelings he could
not resist. Mihicent, engaged by her compan-
ion, did not perceive his approach.
Lord Childars was directing her attention to
three OF the most remarkable characters of the
| day-representative men (though two of them,
! alas! have since been removed from the wide
| sphere OF their usefuneSs,) who were grouped
| roand Lady J.
This little group-for the brilliant Lady =
was not a mere listener-were canrassing a topic
then just in agitation, and possessing an over
powering interest for Mlicent-.he question of
female labor in mines. She heard the horrors of
the hideous system wildly described by Mr. W,
in voice singularly harmoniouS, and which those
ii once addressed could never forget-she listen
cd with breathless attention, with beating,
thro5blng heart, to its denunciation by Lord
A, and to the few sentences of anmadver-
sion, brief and quiet, which it drew from Sir R
P. And what picture of the past did their
copcOf nu XvnrdS cal hack IN he IN
SO much more marked, more wildly startling,
from contrast with the scene around. Each mo
ment, too, the fatal recollection deepenel its col
oring, brought out more forcibly aud distinctly
its dark and horrible details, and seemed, while
these things still existed, to make even her own
redemption incomplete and precarous.
Thus she yielded to sudden and irresistible
panic: her happiness, her advancement--the
gal mansion, the gay and splendid company, the
magnificent revei, appeared, under the influence
of this feeling, like the fabric of vision, from
which she must awaken to despair. Her cheek
lost its blush her rosy lip its color; and actated by
sad emotions she feared either to speak move.
"Miss Kennel, may ask if you are ill?" said
Vavasour, coming forward.
Lord Chidars, startled by the inquiry, glanced
hastily at Millicent, and uttered an exclamation
Of alarm.
SHOW pale YOU have turned, Miss Rennel!" he
edded. .'You must indeed be ILL.,
"No, 1t Is nothing replied Mllliceht; "oniy
these dreadful violations. They have SO panied,
so unnerved me. | really cannot remain here any
longer. Youwill think me very weak, Mr. Vava-
sour, but have been listening to accounts of the
female laborers in the mines"
''Oh!" murmured Vavasour, b!ushing crimson,
There was pause, and moving on, they made
their way TO Lady Graham.
The chaperoue, who was an inveterate rake,
was shocked at Mllicents wish to go home, it
hahn ,rcfS hour IF rtp
not recognized by Hoyle. But Millicent being
urgent. the point was speedily conceded.
Lord Childars attended her till the last, striv-
ing Intellectually to rally her, while his very look
and gesture beamed devotion. Returning up the
saloon, he encountered Bewood.
81 should have lost my wager. Lord Chdars,
had you taken me,' said Belwood. ''Thc lady
thought you richer prize than me''
''Sm!" answered the nobleman, coldly.
"Nay, only wish to drop a word of caution
ahou: her, and TO do that, must give you an ink
ling OF her history
"Pray spare yourself the trouble. I never
thank people for information. having always
| reasonable supply of my own"
"This is something you would never guess.'
''Lct me try"
twill be in vain, am quite sure But am
all attention.
'sThcn You probably wish to arprise me that
Miss Kennel was formerly employed in your coal
mineo
''The deuce! Who told you.'
"HERsELF."
a mn,