The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1853-03-30


Milly hugged the back Of the coach. blush.
ing crimson with shane for her cousin ant
the country greeny, who wore very much
solled coat, and a shocking cap, over which a
light, thin handkerchief was thrown and fas.
tened under his chin, looked up at them de.
mnrely Once be could not but notice that
the object Of their mirth was himself he sud
denly put his hand on his throat as If TO unite
his Incouih capstring-i g., the ends Of the
handkerchief- but pausing he seemed 70
change his mind. aud let them alone.
Wont you have my viniagraette, Milly
dear ?" said Bell, with an arch smile, and q
side glance at the stranger.
" You do look pale" chimed in Annie,
tossing back her thick curls and restraining
herself no longer, she burst into a rude laugh,
for the poor girls checks were distressingiy
flushed.
Take my fan, coz" exclaimed Bell, prof
fering IL; "the air in this coach is really
overpcwerng" and she placed her delicate
pocket handkerchief TO her face
THANK you" said Nlilly, with as much
dignity as size could assume. while her lips
trembled, II do not need IT,"
She certainly is faint. Annie" said Bell,
in low tone; come NIilly. you had better
set between us where we can support you,-
you haven't quite room enough on that
side -
The thoughtless girl started, for blazing
black eye flashed upon her; il was only a
second, though, that quick, piercing glance.
with the fire Of fifty outraged dignities, con-
contrated within it.
If you please, cousin Bell" said Milly,
with more spirit than they dreamed she pos
seSscd, don't annoy me any mo-e; l am
better pleased with my seat than your rude
ness; and the pretty lip trembled again,
and the pretty face looked as if it was going
10 cry.
The young man turned quickly; the hard
expression that had gathered around bis
mouth, melted into something akin TO pleas
ant smile. while the two rebuked cousins
were very angry. one might have seen.
There was no more comment until the
coach stopped again. this time to take up
tat old lady with well-worn bonnet, loaded
down with innumerable band-boxe and bun
dies, most Of which she insisted on carrying
material for the merriment Of the thoughtless
sisters. Bell declared that the band-boxes
must have once contained old Mrs. Noahs
best bonnet, and Annie persisted that if so,
that identical bonnet must now be before
them.
No sooner was the coach door opened, than
out sprang the stranger, and taking sundry
things from the old lady, deposited them
carefully in the inside, all but one, about
which she seemed very choice but just as
she performed the laborious feat Of stepping
within the door, down rolled the paper with
crash. something was destroyed, and Bell
and Annie. enjoying her real distress at the
accident, burst into another impertinent
laugh.
The old lady could not avoid looking to-
wards them, and as her hair was little awry,
and her spectacles crooked. she presented
sight appearing to them so ludicrous, that
they had their faces almost convulscd with
laughter.
Are these your sisters, sir :" she asked
mildly, turning to the gentleman.
Il hope not. madam - he answered in
low and measured tone, my sisters respect
age.-to them gray hairs are too sacred for
trifing;" he did not vince in the least under
the angry glance Of the mortified girls, now
completely silenced, but Milly bad thrown
her thick veil down, and was weeping all to
herself
Il am going to the house Of DIR. James
do you know him, sir ?" asked the old lady
after few moments of silence.
:" 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 10
visit your house. | am glad Dr. James is your
father,young mar, you do him honor" she con-
tinued, with gratihed look you have his
eyes and his foreheadZI should know them,
tile stranger had lifted bis cap. taken of his
handkerchief, and was wiping the moisture
from a magnificent brow, above which the
let black curls hung thick and silkily. 81
SNAIL nave doo thC ptSo9uAe " uNSeaN6 -
son at your house, and acquainting him with
your politeness towards strange old woman'
who was the subject of some not very hatter-
ing remarks.
She did not glance this time towards the
young ladies'. if She had she would have pitied
them they sat covering down completely
crestfllen. II was indeed pretty kettle Of
ish they had prepared for themselves. They,
too, were going for the express purpose of
bearing Professor l., one Of tho most
brilliant lecturers Of the day, and who had
almost been bewitched by the sparkling beaa-
ty Of Bell Grosyenor, when a guest at her
fathers 10 the city; 50 much so, that he had
been heard to declare be knew not another
who appeared to possess 50 many desirable
qualities for wife. And strangely enough
they were going to the very house ofthe man
they had so grossly insulted for they never
could have dreamed the gawky to be the on
ly son Of their mothers friend, the rich and
influential DIR. James. They knew indeed
II LAAA