Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-10-19


tial tone. reading at a glance that sh,
could put such question to the spinster
without fear of being accused of an impro
priety.
"Dear me ! Well. let me think re-
piled Theresa, fixing her eyes upon a
glittering diamond which the widow wore
and assuming meditative air. "There's
Mrs. Summers-the lady yonder in darl
blue-she was just saying that you nc
doubt woald prove a great acquisition -tc
our society, and that hencetorth we would
have some one to look to as model oi
good taste and fashionable elegance. =
The widow cast furtive but keen glance
toward the .'lady in the dark blue" a
though she would read whether or no,
there had been any irony in the remark,
but she Withdrew her eyes with satisfied
air. and Miss Theresa went on. '' Then
there is Mrs. Grant-she has been speak
ing about the 'complishments of your
daughter, and how many cDnqneSts she
has made in the city, and all that-and.
I IN short, Mrs. Forrest, they have all had
more or less to say, and are all ready tn
give YOU warm welcome. As Tor nv
self, am more than delighted to see YOU
here. | read in your face cnn~angui-
nifty of soul. and have in my brrA>- a .i"-
sire to ingratiate myself nln vonr aIsc-
tionate con>iIera ION. We are in na.ure'
WINGED II little at this. and | hope We
may become. as brother Charles wOu!d
say, like double cherry in our congo
ality ofheart."
Mrs. Forrest acknowledged the compli-
mentary remarks Of her hostess with II
graceful inclination of the head. while Il
scarcely perceptible smile played around
the corners of her mouth.
The society in your village is very
excellent" said she, turning again to her
| companion. ''for country village, sur
prisingly so.''
You are right" returned Theresa
''There is most excellent society for those
who want such, and very intermediate
circles for people who cau'l illuminate in
upper-cruStdom like ours, here" and she
cast 4 complacent glance around her
well-6lled room. LAS for myself" she
continued, swapping her fan, Il have "A
yre0t deal of company-more, perhaps,
/ shan | ought 10 devote so much time to
but the rehnatIon OF my own spirit
pines SO much for the minging of confu-
ent natures, that cannot reconcile my
! self to the curtilation OF rny friendships
and srarries Between You and me-"
she added, taking the Widows hand in
hers, with a rim bend OF her long neck
''nay invitations are very rarely refused,
and l have heard myself called one of the
best hostesses in the place.
| Il can readily believe the title to so
| rleat n compliment has been as Justly
won as it is gracefully worn,' returned
the widow, bowing, "but, come, Miss
Tattleton, do make me acquainted with
some of your guests
And she placed her jeweied hand upon
! her companions sallow arm. and moved
away from the spot where they had been
standing.
Certainly" said the gratified spin
ster; Il s'pose you would like to see some
of our belle sprees, as Charley calls them.
I'll introduce you to your neighbors first
! There's such cong Generation of beauty
here tonight, that if 1 don't commence
with You near home, You will be so be-
wildered by the dazzleization of names
and faces, you'll never remember one
| half"
And tanning herself violently, Miss
| Tattleton proceeded to introduce " her
friend, Mrs. Forrest" to her numerous
guests.
Lena, leaning on the arm of her host,
had twice made the circuit Of the rooms.
looking in vain for the gallant form of the
young hunter, who had been the hero oF
the first really romantic adventure of her
life. She could not inquire for him, be-
cause she had not learned his name. and
she began to feel WEAKNESS and a de
sire to return home, as she found the OBJ
iect who had prompted her coming. was
| nowhere to be seen. Drawing near the
side table. she began reading the regrets.
in the hope of finding some name which
she might enquire ot, and ihus learn ;hat
of her rcscuer. There were but few. +.
and they they all proved all to be those
ut ladies' Among the number. Lena
read that of Alice Freeland.
q Is it possible" said she with IL curl
of the lip. and or5eLiins, in her dI>ap-
! pointmtnt ut not rncctInS her Lmhaown
friend, her mothers !njunc:inus WIKI re
gard to making good imprc> sion. e. Is i.
possible that Miss FreeIa.tI j. in>i.ed IN
10 the first circles here J"
:" 1t is always w!;u rrsre. i s. .ne .tf,'St
cIEcIeS are ootiSeu 10 HtNi'~''|| - ~ ''e'
company" said a,oice Sea'nI her
Lena turned 9slchty. sri IA Il tf,,.l q!
pleasure Lighting up her face; ;or in he
tone of the voice. she iancie,t de-ee
ed resemblance to that which she I"ug-
ed most to hear. But as she raised her
eyes. she met only those of Gen. Grant,
fixed somewhat starnly upon her, and a
slight flush rose to her cheek @s she re
ceived his greeting.
Perhaps" said he, with smile. "Miss
Forrest will pardon what she may have
deemed 6ruSquerie in my words Just now