Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-04-13
MISC L L L A N Y.
From he Home Journal.
The JeWciIed Hand.
PART ii.

l must pass to period nine years IA
ter, to morning in May, when ! received
letter from a gay, young school-mate, an
nounclng the expected marriage of her eld-
est sister, requesting me to spend with them
the month ensuing, and remain until after
the wedding. One passage in Annabeps
letter ran thus -
"They are striking couple; Catherine
is so stately and handsome, and he is SO
elegant, SO much OF gentleman IN every
respect. All, forgot TO say that he is a
Mr.. Phillippse, whom Kate met last winter
at Baltimore. He is Immensely rich, and
has made her some magnificent presents.
| think it is marriage of ambition on her
part"
In few days, was an inmate of Colonel
Mayre's house; where, besides the family
and the expectant bridegroom, | found
Judge Blackwell, an old friend to the Col
onel, who had arrived an hour before my
self, and as it slngularly happened, had also
come to stop until after the marriage o.:
Cathariue. She it seemed was tavorlte
of his, and was to inherit his property.
On the evening of that day, meeting for
the first time all the members who now
composed the family, as entered the room
with my friend Annabei, thought that
never had | seen FIVE SO strongly marked
countenances. My schoo-mate herself had
no particular expression, unless Of high
health and spirits. Every other face ex-
pressed character. Colonel Mayne, ener-
getic, full OF fire, brillance, enthusiasm
his lady the most delicate, refined and sem
sitive-looking of women Catharine, haugh-
ty, handsome, and imperlous as Ienobia !;
Judge Blackwell, with his eagleeye, and
MASSIVE Websteran front, and the fine
poet-head, and pale, melancholy face OF
Arthur Phillippse, completed the group
From the first moment, became deeply
absorbed in watching the striking physiog-
nomy of Mr.. phillippse, and before many
davs became aware that Judge BIak kewell
was keenly observaht also. There seemed
to be a tacit communication of eyes (;
mine rarely seeking the face that had for
me such fascination, without my having a
consciousness which thrilled me, that the
piercing eye of the Judge was upon Us both
This mysterious interconimunication with
entire strangers was annoying to me, but
never could evade the scrutiny Of the
Judge, whose peculiar questioning look,
seemedtoimply some previous acquaintance
began to fancy that we had met some
where under strange circumstances be-
gan to believe in some mesmeric influence
and grew restless and nervous under their
constant watchfulhess. Meanwhile making
progress in his acquaintance, | found HIM,
as i had foreseen, finely educated man,
of remarkably acute perception, and close
Judge of character. felt for him the great
est respect. We conversed together upon
thousand topics, but always, before its
close, the conversation turned INTO pecu-
liar channel-many times we both seemed
about to speak of Mr. Phillippse. yet never
once mentioned his name. Neither,as might
naturally have happened, in the frequent
absence Of the bridegroom, was his name
ever spoken, unless incidentally, by any OF
the family. 1t seemed to inc that none ol
them felt confidence in him-not even
Catharine herself; though her manner was
| uuuOTNlly SO RESERVED llidl IL w q" "ii+ANe'''
to understand her real feelings.
"What kind Of man is this Mr.. Phil,
lippse?" ventured at last 10 ask Anhabel!
"What kind? Why, like other people
| suppose. He is not peculiar that see"
To me, he was peculiar. He seldom
smiled, and that rare smile was so sad SC
unspeakably melancholy, that my hear
ached 10 see it. Not for one moment dit
he have the air of man at peace with
himself. He seemed 10 bear some terrible
burden he seemed worn with remorse.-
Never have met the man whom my very
soul so pitied. Still Anua6el saw nothing
of this: Catharine was about to become the
sharer of his fate; Col. and Mrs. Mayne tt
receive him as their son. | began to Zee
that I was at fault,
The morning of the day proceeding tina
appointed for the wedding, | happened II
meet Judge Blackwell in the garden, Al
his request turned back, and he commenc
ed conversation by remarking =
1.-The happiness of this family is, think
; ,,r bonJs and mine Miss Bell | an