The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1854-11-22
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER II. -' ".' t',.
"Oh that we, Fl. '... -
In those blcst woods where first you won my soul,
Had passed our gentle days lar from the toll
And din Of war; Suchis the wish ef love,
OF love that with delighted weakness
Knows no bliss and no ambition but itself"
The evening repast was over, when Dora
Singleton Immediately retired to her apart
ment but not to sleep. Her pathway had
ceased to wind among roses, and care an
anxiety were heavy at her heart
The old family mansion, where she still
dwelt with her step-father-a man of moody
and sullcn temper, whose treatment was
not always tempered by that kindness and
consideration which should have been the
lot of one so tender and young-was one
of those picturesque buildings of that style
SO pleasing to our ancestors some few gen.
crations ago, but which have altogether dis
appeared in this utlitarian uge. 1t was a
quiet and digni6ed looking old mansion,
somewhat quaint indeed in its appearance
and style, yet sufficiently capacious to have
sheltered under It's pyramdal roof some two
or three generations Of those prolific days.
Antquated cupboards, with shelves well
hidden by neatly pannelled doors that reach
ed even up to the ceiling, filled up here and
there The corner of an apartment, while
doors innumerabe opened into mysterious
closets on every side. a* .-. .-..
Dora had retired into her bed chamber in
the second story of the building, the walls
, of which were decorated with portraits OF
her father and mother, that seemed to look
down fondy upon the beautiful and un-
friended orphan. A small silver lamp OF
=, exquisite workmanship shed its clear light
over her beautiful features, pale indeed, yet
wondrousiy fair, so that she scarcely seem
ed being Of earth. Her glance had III ii
that strangely fascinating power that be-
f, longs only to beauty of u rare and high or
deraol perirctou. 1t was only such as
could belong to pr0ad and generous, and
sensitive natnrc, that seemed without an ef'
fort to reach the heart of all others, while it
BETRAYED not even ia a moment the secrets
of its own. All the magic grace of nature
4. lived with her and seemed to dwell i'll the
y air she breathed.
Her hair of very dark shade, yet moi
wholly black, was tasteluly bound up 1t
d the becoming Grecian knot, and where il
Y was gathered from her neck it formed 4
e lovely contrast with the dazzling white skin
Q beneath. Her arms, left bare to the elbow
e of but slightly concealed from view by un
y derseeves of most delicate texture, were
ull and most temptingy rounded, and bel
: small hand, on the fingers of which glitter
!. ed single ring bearing gem of the frs
$ water, was Of aristocratic lovelness.
Dora had not fingered long over the triht
e on which she was sewing, when she cast i
r aside with sigh, blew out her lamp, gld
], ed across the apartment, and throwing open
: the easement, stood upon the balcony Or
G the front of the mansion. There, leaning
t upor the slender railing which encompass
if ed it., with her cheek upon her palm, she
p looked abroad upon the dim landing which
It spread out before her. ut,a' Es .e
n All was now peaceful and serene. The
II bowling storm, which had hovered above
e but a few hours before with wings OF aP
Il palling blackness, had passed away with al
his host of sulphurous clouds, and the
y bright stars were shining calmly in the sky
Z while the bright moon, rapidly ascending
i. the eastern horizon, poured down mellow
n flood of light upon forest and field, making
T. the rain drops upon each blade and leaf tt
Is glisten like FURNISHED silver.
r. The prospect before the maiden was beau
n tiful indeed. The house, which was sltua
IS ted upon gently sloping hill, commande'
d u fine view Of the surrounding country, ant
d on every side, but one, lay extended field
Q with nothing to impede the view. To tn
t. left of the avenue, which led off directl..
g from the noble mansion; was an uncultiva
h ted forest, which extended to the east an
l. the north as far as the eye could reach
e where the pine and the oak mingled thei
e foliage together, and where many gentl
E, stream pnrdled on over snowy sands unde
n the impcnetrable. shade. The landscap
is that spread out before the maiden was gu
j ct ami lovely. flood of yellow light resi-
t. eu Upon the broad scene, and was refeete
r. back from field and forest in soft lights an
Is shadows asira 4a.a2 g. d.a8as,
le 1t was one of those. calm, and, gloriou
W nights Of or iental brightness, when ever
q sound is still, and every voice hushed to r.
ry pose-7When the beauty Of Eden seems !
H. revisit 1thetearths and danish for q seaso
mi It's eorroding causes and consuming so
ut rows s'''''' ~ .f.s,...' ..s VI
ed Dora had heart to feel all the beauty
ait the hour. h The poetryofl love was with he
ire and her thoughts were away with the youn
J. soldier of his country, who had been col