The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-04-30


not to be shaken off; whilst l, considerably
alarmed by the result Of the pacific overture
had ventured upon; did, Of course the same.
We stalked on, in silence, till just as we reach
ed HOby's, and Mr.. Hervey, with his daughter
Constance, turned suddenly out Of st. James
street. was fiery hot to the tipsof my ears in
an instant. Travers and Capel stopped abrupt.
ly, stared fiercly at each other, and barely re.
covered presence Of mind in sufficient time Il
lift their hats in acknowledgement Of Mr. Her.
vey's brief greeting, and the lady's slight bow
as after half pausing, they passed on. 1t was
all clear enough now. My two gentlemen had
come to Piccadilly in the hope of meeting with
Constance Hervey, and accompanying her home;
frustrated in this, they had determined not to
lose sight Of each other nor did they for three
mortal hours, during which, anxiety lest their
rsncorous ill-humor should break out into open
quarrel, kept me hanging about from post opil-
lar with them-a sullen companionshlp, so ut
terly wearisome that had several times half a
mind to propose that they should fight it out at
once, or toss up which should jump for the
others benefit into the Thames. AT length ten
o'clock struck, and it appearing to be mutually
concluding that visit to Kensington. was no
longer possible, sour expression Of relief es-
capped them, and our very agreerble party sep
arated.
very dangerous person in such a crisis was,
knew, this Constance Hervey, though by nc
means catch in pecuniary sense for we'll con-
nected young men with present salaries Of three
hundred year, and twice as much in near ex-
pectancy. Her father, who had once held hii
head pretty high in the commercial world, had
not long since become bankrupt, and they were
now living upon an annuity Of little more | un.
derstood, than a hundred pounds, so secured to
Mr.. HerVey that his creditors could not touch
it. This consideration, however, is one thai
weighs, but little with men in the condition Ol
mind Of Capel and TraVers, and felt that oncC
enthralled BY Constance HerVey's singular beau
ty, escape or resignation to disappointment wa
very difficult and hard to bear. She was no ia
Vorite Of niue, just then, by the way. hat
first seen her about three years preViOusly-ant
even then; whilst yet the light, the simplicity
the candor, Of young girlhood fingered over, anC
softened the graces Of the woman, read in th
full depths of her dark eyes an exultant cosciOus
ness Of beauty, and the secret instinct Of it
power. Let me, however, in fairness state tina
had myself calf that | must have beer
| --made suudry BOBBY, blushihg advances Il
the youthful beauty, and half-derisive merri
ment with which they were received, gave I
twist no doubt to my opinion Of the merits o.
a person 30 provokingly blind to mine. b.
this as it may, there could be no question thai
Constance Hervey was now charming woman
and was grieved only, not surprised at The
bitter rivalry that had sprung up between Ira
yer and Capel-a rivalry which each successive
day but fed and strengthened.
Capel appeared to be fast losing all control
over his temper and mode Of life. He drank
freely, that was quite clear; gambled, it was
said, and rumors Of debt, protested bills ready
money raised at exorbitant interest on the faith
Of his succeeding to Rowdelfs post flew thick
as hail about the office. Should he obtain the
coveted six hundred a year, Constance Hervey
| would, doubted not-first favorite as TraVers
seemed 10 be--condescend to be Mrs. Capel.
This, not very complimentary opinion, had
been mentally repeating some dozen times with
more than ordinary bitterness, as | sat alone
one evening after dinner in our little dining
room in Golden square, when the decision came.
The Governor being out, / had perhaps taken
few extra glasses Of wine, and nothing in my
experience, so lights up and flames tender or
exasperating "reminiscences as fine old port.
'Rat-tat. .tat-tatl' 1t twas unmistakably Tray
srs' knock, and boisterOusly hilarious too as in
the old time, before any Constance Hervey had
emerged from pinafOres and fuckers to distract
and torment mankind, and more especially
we'll tO-do Government clerks. The startled
maid servant hastened to the door, when in
bounced -radisnt--ablaze with tri-
umph.
Halo, Traversl Why were the deuce do
you spring from, chr
From Heavenl Paradisel--ths presence Of
an angel at all eventsl'
There, there, that will do; quite under
stand.'
"No you don't, Ned. Nobody but myself
can understand, imagine, guess, dream Of the
extent, the vsstness Of the change that has COME
over my life. Firstly, then-but this is moth.
ing,--Rowdellis is at length superannuated, anG
l am to have his place."
He paused moment; and /, with certainly
more than haH enVioUs sneer, said; !,
"And upon the strength Of that luck you havt
proposed to Constance Hervey, and been accept
ed--of course.
''JR6iiate--yea Feelho my pulse threbs
II is four hours since, and still my brain light
ems and my eyes dazzel with tumnltuous joy.-
Do not light the candles; / shall grow calme
ia this twilight" ''ConfOnnd his raptures, wa
my internal ejaculation. "Why the mischie
couldn't he take them somewhere else?''
however said nothing, and he presently resumed
the grateful theme. "You will be at the wed
ding, Of course. And by-the-by, now | thial
lit, hayn't heard Constance say she sspeciall,
remembers you for something very pleasant ami
amusing--very
My face kindled to flame, and savagell
whirled the easy chair in which sat, two o
three yards back from Che fire light before speak
ing. II am extremely obliged to the lady, auC
90 dare say is poor Capel, who II seems, ha
been % eareleasly thrown over"
eCafeleasly thrown over |" reioined Trhvers
sharply. "That is very improper expression
he has, aa fear indplged ii illusions, he has
been only self deceived. Still, HE double dis
appointment grieves me. II seems TO cast
though there is no valid reason that Il shoult
do sO--a shadow upon my eonsience.''
| We were both silent for some time. \ ga
in no mood for taking, and be sat eszipe dream.
! sdly at the fire. | knew very well whoae ~