Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1852-12-27

The old lady could not avoid looking to-
wards them, and as her hair was little
awry and her spectacles crooked, she pre-
sented sight appearing to them so ludi.
crous that they had their faces almost con-
vulsed with laughter.
Are these your sisters, sir ?" she asked
mildly, turning to the gentleman.
81 hope not, madam, he answered, in
low and measured tones, my sisters re-
spect age, to them gray hairs are too sa-
cred for tri1ing; he did not vince, in the
least under the angry glance of the morti-
fed girls, now completely silenced, but Mil
ly had thrown her thick veil down, and
was weeping all to herself.
81 am going to the house of DR.. James !:
do you know him sir?" asked the old lady
after few moments of silence.
q should, madam, for he is my father"
said the stranger, with smile.
The flushed cheeks of Bell grew instantly
pale, her eyes met those of her companion,
on whose face similar reaction had taken
place.
''My son, Professor l., lectures in
Taunton tonight, and as have seldom the
pleasure of listening to him, he is so often
away thought would make an effort to
visit your house. 1 am glad he is your
father, young man, you do him honor" she
continued with gratifed look, s'you have
his eyes and his forehead-I should know
then," the stranger had lifted his cap.
taken off his handkerchief, and was wiping
the moisture from a magnificent brow,
above which the jet black curls hung thick
and silkily, 81 shall have also the pleasure
of meeting my son at your house and ac-
quainting him with your politeness towards
strange old woman, who was the subject
of some not very fiattering remarks
She did not glance this time towards the
young ladies, if she had she would have
pitied them; they sat covering down COM
pletely crestfallen. 1t was indeed a pretty
kettle of fish they had prepared for them
selves. They, too, were going for the ex-
press purpose of hearing Professor L.,
one of the most brilliant lecturers of the
Gay, and who had almost been bewitching
| by the sparkling beauty of Bell Grosvenor
when guest at her fathers in the city; so
much SO that he had been heard to declare
he knew not another who appeared to
possess so many desirable qualities for wife.
And strangely enough they were going to
the very house of the man they had so
grossly insulted; fer they never could have
dreamed the gawky to be the cnly son of
their mothers friend, the rich and in
Auential DR.. James. They knew indeed
! that he had been for some time expected
home from his tour in Europe, but his
travel-stained attire and his silence had
completely deceived them.
Meanwhile Milly recovered little from
her trouble; the envious veil was thrown
back, the two pouting lips restored to their
equanamity, the glad, merry eyes, all the
brighter for the little wash Of tears, rested
or rather danced over the beautiful pros
poets of the fields, and trees and rose-lined
paths; she, innocent heart had nothing to
repreach herself with, and gladly would her
cousins have changed places with her.
They sat very silent, trembling and al
most fainting, till the stage drew near the
broad entrance into the Doctors grounds:
they were still undecided when the coach
man said, The young ladies are to stop
here, believe" and unstrapped the trunks
from the huge tongue.
Henry James, after moments embar-
rassment, stepping back to the door, and
with a bright smile at Milly, said, as if
nothing unpleasant had transpired, twill
you allow me to assist you out, young Ia
dies % How daintily he conducted Milly
to the ground !; but as the others descended
there was chilling reserve in his manner
and painful confusion in theirs that told
how indelible would be the recollection of
that unfortunate meeting.