Demoine courier., 1854-09-21
From the American Courier.
DENTON:
THE DEFEATED FORTUNE HUNTER,
By BESSIE
CHAPTER I.

The last rays of an October sun were
falling through the vine-wreathed case.
menls of a handsome villa. in one of GU.
Southern States. As the breeze lifted
the fairy curtain. which nearly covered
one OF the windows. the soft beams fill
ed the apartment beyond with a mellow,
dreamy radiance, and fell unhecded over
the graceful foim Of a young and lovely
woman. is only occupant. Sad mus
ings seemed to occupy the lady's ,hots,
for her long dark lashes were heavy with
tears, and her head rested pensively on
q hand, while in The other she held an
open letter.
After seeming for some time to watch
the fantastic shadows cast by the sway.
ing tendr;ls Of the vine, she raised her
head. and re.perused the letter: signing
heavily she exclaimed
~ must rouse myself. This lonely
life is making me nervous and melan-
choly, will accept cousin Lucy's kind
] vi alton"
Gertrude Denton was an orphan,
young, beautiful aud rich. Her mother
had died many years before; but one year
hac elapsed since her beloved father had
been laid in the grave. She had no near
relatives. and lonely was her hear, during
that year OF mourning, though mistress
OF a handsome estate, and surrounded
BY the mos, faithful and devoted servants.
For a long time previous 10 his death Mr..
Denton had been an invalid, and from
her devoted attendance on him, Gertrude
had made no intimate friendships with
the neighboxing families. and filed with
anxiety for her father, her heart had made
no response TO the attention of many
who. won by her beauty and wealth,
would fain have found a place ,here.-
Thus. during the first year of her mourr-
ing, she had led almost the life of . re-
cluse. She dreaded to mingle with The
world. now that she was alone with NO
n to guide and pro.ect her inexpsrience.
During his illness her father feeling that
he would not long be spared 70 direct
her. had improved every occasion to
caution and instruct her. that sho nigh,
o be dazzled and deceived by the first
glitter al society. Most earnestly had
Re warned her against tina, which was
likely to be her greatest danger. the wiles
o. fortune hunters. until her sensitive
nature shrank from epcountering the
risk. and looked with disirus, upon all
who CHANGED to approach her.
The letter which had thrown her into
the painful reverie in which We Jiscov-
cred her, was from Mrs. Hamilton, q
cousin OF her mothers, and her only
surviving relative, who resided in q neigh.
boring city, Frequent and pressing had
been the invitations the young cousin
had received to make .corsin Lucy's ."
house her homo whenever she should
desire; but as yet they had been unac.
cepted.
Mrs. Hamilton was a lively little wo.
man OF forty, who. having NO children
Of her own. took dsligh. in drawing abeu,
her > circle Of happy young people, and
doing all in her power to add 10 ,heir On.
joyment. Thus "deaI Mrs. Hamilton"
the oracle and divinity Of half the
young people Of r.
Oae failing had the lille laey-ons
which grew ou, Of The very circumstances
just mentioned. Since the sa,ne circle
met frequently Al her house. the good
hostess was puzzled 10 furnish novelties
TO amuse her young guests; therefore she
became an assiduous ION hunter. A
new beauty, . celebrity Of any kind,
was eagerly sought by her to add inter-
and eclaf 10 her s~oirees. and her
smiable. good natured husband humored
her fancy whenever !. was in his power.
This peicbans, united to her naturally
kind feelings, made Mrs. Hamilton very
anxious for Ger.rude's acceptance Of her
invitation. and her husband. who had
ever admired the young gih's devotion to
her father, warmly seconded her wishes.
CHAPTER II.
III declare il II too had" axcla;m.d