The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-07-27
RAVENNA, WEDNESDAY JULY 81. 1853.

leaning The of young and distinguished
looking stranger. CLARA eazad inteutly on the form
If this rival beauty, and feeling Of relieved self
compacency dimpIed the roseses of her cheeKs.
Those whom nature has lavished her living
lhes and carnations, are very apt TO deprecate the
charms of those whose pretensions TO loveliRess
based on other attributes than mere beauty of
complexion. That of the young stranger was what
Clara called dark, aud it might have appeared so,
eontrasted with the dazzling whiteness Of her own
but it had that oriental delcacy and transparency
seldom found except in eastern climes. Her
eyes dark and resplendent that their
brightness would have been almost overpowesing
had they not been softeued by the long sweeping
lashes, of the same jetty hue as her luxurunt and
shining hair Her figure was exquisite in repose
aud from its waving outline promised that grace of
emotion which is more pleasing than beauty itself.
There nothing conspicuous in her dress
small diamond star that sparkled amid the dark
ness of her tresses, like lone planet on nights
ebon brow. The gentleman on whose arm she
eaued, an
mot his the form, not his the eve,
That youthful maidens wont to fiy
Clara marked him as her victim and met his ex-
ceedngly earnest gaze with glance of snft allure
ment The young lady, whose air and appear
ance betrayed familiarity with the most elegant
and fashionable society, nevertheless manifested
small degree of embarrassment while passing
through the customary forms of introduction. She
eolnred deeply, and her eyes were bent down with
an expression of modesty and humility entirely
unexpected from her previous bearing.
'Hurton!' repeated Mrs. Dushane, when her
name announced, 1 have a brother of that
name now iii Europe. 1t is long time since
have seen him, however, she added. with sigh.
Then hope you will have pIeasing associations
connected with me, madam said Miss Horton, in
| ii sweet, low voice.
Mrs. Dushane, who was prepared TO wage war
fare with one who might Iiyal her daughter, could
not help feeling the churin of such afrbiIity and
sweetness. She wondered wto the Mr.. Aston
was who accompanied her, but notwithstanding
his juxtapos;iior with the attractive stranger, she
could not but hope that he was The rich and dis
tinguished individual heaven had destined for her
favorte child.
Music was the order of the evening. and Clara
was led to the piano, Miss Horton declined TO
play first. Being from early childhood accustom-
ed to sing and pI.y in public, she had faIlering
of modesty, to mar the briIancy Of her execution.
She sang and and played as she did every thing
else, for effect-and it was generally such as The
most exacting vanity could desire. Mr. Aston
aud Miss Horton stood near her. and evibced. by
their silent attention. the mcst attering interest in
the beautiful stranger.
And Mss Horton cried the impatient
hostess-and Miss Hurton, passed from mouth
10 mouth, rs the circle pressed and narrowed
around her-'P erhaPs Mss Horton would prefer
the harp?'
She scGS more accustomed TO the harp she re
Piled. and splendid instrument was drawn to-
word her.
Clnsa was no proficient the harp, having. 10
a fit OF obstinacy, given up her lessons, because
the chords blsiered her delicate fingers She felt
Il thrill of envy, as she behed Miss Horton seat
herself gracefully before the Tyre, such as the
shepherd msnarch once swept and pass her
white hands over the strings. At first her touch
was soft, and her voice low, and she looked nj
Clara as if deprecaiing her criticism; but after q
while, she looked at no one-she thought of moth
ing bat the spirit of music that filed her soul thrill
ed through her nerves, flowed in her veins. and
burned upon her cheek. There was no affection
fre--but it was the fire from within, illuminating
the temple. which its intensity sometimes threat
ened to destroy. Il is true she or twice rails
ed her glorious black eyes to Heaven, but it was
because music naturally lifted her thoughts to
Heaven, and her glance followed its inspiration.
| Concl, ded nert apeft.