Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-10-05

the house.
I As she turned 20 make some remarks
to the servant who had admitted them,
she displayed a face in which many marks
of former beauty yet fingered but there
was light in the brilliant dark eye, and
a slight curve in the yet full lip. which
bore evidence Of heart accustomed to
all the ways and wiles of heartless and
fashionable society. Her cheek, glowing
with the hue of health, the undimmed
lusture of her dark eye, and the glossy
blackness of her luxuriant hair, gave her
an appearance of youth and loveliness
which few ladies of her years have ever
found it possible to retain.
Her daughter could not be called strict
| ly beautiful her features lacked that reg
ularity and softness, the want of which
connoisseurs can seldom forgive but
but there was something in her ever va
rying expression, and peculiar fascina-
ton in her large and brilliant eye, which
seemed to redeem all the otherwise plain
features of her face.
Passing her mother as she reached the
door, Lena Forrest entered the sumptuous
drawing room, and dung herself wearily
down upon sofa. The lamplight was
glinted back from gilded frames, from
polished mirrors and silken drapery.-
The foot sank noiselessly into thick car
pets, and everything that wealth could
buy, or art and taste devise, met the eye
ofthe young heiress as she gazed care
lessly around her.
Leisurely untying her hat strings, Le-
ua turned towards her mother as that Ia
dy entered the room, and exclaimed:
Dear mamma, it strikes me tEis place
must be exceedingly dull. Did you no.
tice, as we drove along, that there was
no sound of mirth or music in the large
houses, no children shouting in the streets,
and nothing to indicate that one would
find here any relief from ennai and lone
illness. All me, | verify believe we have
pitched our tent in population of Qua
kers-eyerythiug seems so staid and qui-
| et."
| And with slight yawn, Lena drew the
sofa pillow beneath her head, and laying
her white and jeweled hand under her
! cheek, seemed preparing for a pleasant
Slumber.
You judge too hastily. my child"
said the mother, drawing her chair near
her daughters side. '.You must not al
low yourself to receive deep impressions
from unfavorable first appearances. The
night is very stormy, and you could
make no very accurate estimate of the
place through the mud-stained and mis-
ty windows of stage coach. You know
the agent, Dumond, gave us a very plea
sing description of the village and inha-
bitants, and sunshine will make every
thing wear different aspect"
Lena opened her large eyes languidly,
as her mother finished speaking, and,
half-raising herself, swept back the hea-
Wy curtain from a window near her,
and peered earnestly into the darkness.
'Who did Dumond say live next door
to us ?" said Lena, without turning her
her head.
Judge Summers lives in the large
He is very wealthy, It's said, and his fa-
mily consists Of wife and one daughter.
They will no doubt prove pleasant neigh
bors for u.s.
"And on the other side % asked Le-
ma, with her face still pressed close to the
window.
There lives General Grant. He has
an only son just returned from college,
and about entering upon the duties OF a
profession. They also live in good style,
and Dumond told me they were eclip<ed
in the elegance of their furniture only by
ourselves" and the widow cast seIf-sa-
tistied look around the luxurious apart
ment. by the by" she continued, chow
well Jeanette and Rob have arranged
everything. They are really invaluable
servants tN p,.A oDI tbn OutI onas yLnr,
L could ever wholly trust"
Lena did not hear the concluding re-
marks of her mother. She sunk back
again upon the sofa, and lay with her
large eyes half closed, and her whole as
pect denoting a dreamy, musing state of
mind There was something in her grace
full attitude, the soft expression OF her
young face, and the half-closed eyes,
which would have enchained the atten-
ton of an artist. There were times Lena
could appear very beautiful, and this was
one OF them. The crimson hue ofthe So
ia on which she lay, contrasted well with
her iet-black hair, and dark, though
clear complexion. 1t seemed, too, to
throw out the full and rounded figure,
robed as it was in its dark travelling dress;
and with one hand lying carclessIy by
her side, and the other sparkling with
gems, twined among her thick, glossy
ringlets, Lena Forrest looked like some
excellent ta6leam Uivant, prepared to graft
fly the taste of the magnificent woman
who sat gazing upon her.
''Lena," said the mother, softly, as
though she half dreadedto to disturb the fair
being at her side, Lena, you know Al
Ice Freelaud lives near this village; has
she ever told you in her letters, where
her house was situated 90
i" No." said Lena, turning her eyes
full upon her mothers face s'but 1 wrote