The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-24


asked her brother, mischievously.
Huldebrand was at that instant wrapping
the coat about her, and the color few into her
cheeks at the analogy she could not but per-
ceive.
But angry with herself for an emotion ap-
preaching " sentimentality" toward her pre-.
server, she answered with some pique in her
tone:
"Poor thing what fool she was to exchange
liberty for lovel I'll tell you, Christie" she
added, Selling the oar which lay idle, ~ am
not going to sit shiyering, all the way home
/ You did not teach me how to row boat in
vain!" and she began to ply the strokes vigor-
ously.
Mr.. Grey, who had stood for moment irres-
olute, now touched her on the shoulder "Can
you turn the boat few rods on her track ?"
he inquired of the rowers. "I"-but he was
interrupted by fellow passenger.
"What now young gentleman do you
wish to make few more demonstrations OF
! your heroism? 1t is objectionable to expose
Miss Cfayborne to the discomfort of awaiting
! your convenience"
Miss Clayborne will pardon me, am sure,
when she hears the reason was about to plead
My hasty plunge cost me the loss of treasure
dearer than-anything on earth must regain
| it."
"Surely if it be of such value " replied Mr..
K, drily. "Miss Clayborne, 1 beg you to let
me take that oar, it is really too fatiguing."
But Miss Clayborne declined, and dashed her
oar into the water with vehemence, as though
she could by that effort still the painful throb-
bling so near to her heart.
! They reached the spot once more. After a
careful survey, Grey dived into the water;
arose, and dived again and again beneath the
silvered waves; remaining the last time so long
submerged, that all the ladies, save Kitty, were
screaming, when he arose, lifted his hand above
his head, and made for the boat.
A miniature, as live! !" whispered Lettie.
No marvel the elements should be ransack-
ed for the sake of so fair lady's face, Sir
Knight" jeeringly remarked Mr.. K, who, in
helping him over the boats side, had caught a
glimpse of his prize.
"Really, however, it is to be hoped the ordeal
Of fire may be spared US in her behalf"
+" 1t may not, sir!" sternly returned the spirit
ed Gray, with kindling eye; "if you choose to
subject to idle jest theme, too sacred for a
strangers lips!"
"Pon honor, sir, I meant no offence! "a" re-
turned the other, with deprecatory shrug OF
the shoulders. ~ was not aware, sir, on what
tender ground / was treading, believe mel"
Others hastily took up the conversation, and
tried to divert it from so unpleasant change.
But cloud had fallen upon the spirits of the
whole party; and not even after they were trans
ferred to the hower-decked, brilliantly-lighted
saloon of Mr.. Hope, could they throw it off en-
tirely. So much power had one irritable word.
Kitty, in her chamber, as she wrung the riv-
er-drOps from her long tresses, compressed her
lips firmly, and dropped her long lashes to her
burning cheeks.
"What do 1 care whose miniature he may
L..
laugh so constrained that it seemed anothers
than the merry girls.
"Aye, they were right! 1t must be- a 'ten-
der spot must have been reached, ere that
calm eye and lips could have been kinded to
such flash of passionl Well, Kitty! don't
be FOOL F" she suddenly broke off, apostrophi-
sing herself. Pressing her hands over her fore
head, cheeks, and heart, the girl sprung to the
mirror just as Laura entered, full of sisterly
anxiety.
What an escape, dear Kitty and how kind
of Mr.. Grey! / have been trying to make him
take care of himself; but he is certainly the
most contrary of humankind" added Laura,
placidly. "Are you really well enough, dear,
to go down this EVENING""
Never felt half so well in my life, sister
mine, and don't believe l ever looked half so
bewitching Seriously l have thought of
pitching tent on the river bank, and trying
the experiment Of plunge every day, as a CO.'S
metic {"
81 am afraid you are a little excited" return
ed Mrs. Hope, touching the sparkling face
with a happy smile, that bore testimony to its
unusual charm.
81 shall be proud of you some day, Kitty
DEAR" added she, STOPPING to kiss her as she
wreathed the last rose into her hair, if you
only grow up as good as you will be pretty !
But, you know handsome is that handsome
does after ALL"
Beautiful beyond compare then, is my
sweet elder sister," said Kitty, archly, tapping
her forehead, before she glded away from her.
Laura would dub me halfgrown girl, if
had lived to count half hundred years, / do
believe said she, to herself, as she went down
stairs. 81 wonder if somebody else, too, thinks
me a child-a-nonsense! who cares!"
She reached the parlor door as she ended her
soEloquy. AT the further end stood the gentle
man IN question, aside from all, with an unusu-
ally grave and forbidden expression upon his
countenance, now paler and palmer than ever.
lie did not even perceive Kitty at her first en-
trance. But when his eye did light upon her
In the midst of an admiring group, the central
magnet-t followed her in every word and
glance with an expression almost of anguish
She did not look at him twice; for the rebel
beating against the bars of her bodice had
awakened to sense of its rights and its mis-
tress, scorning it as thoroughly as she had
scorned many another heart for such weak
ness, pressed on with the widest merriment.
At last, in one of the pauses of converse
ton, when the various groups were in a transit
ton state, she felt, rather than saw, Grey at
her side and drew herself up to her "full
maiden dignity"
Will you walk with me into the conserva-
tory?" he asked, in an undertone more than
usually abrupt.
hlttys reply was low, too, but given in a
careless way, quite foreign to her.
Really! our dear FIVE hundred friends
might object to a monopoly of the hero of the
evening But pardon me-" she added, bur-
riedly but formally, +" / ought not to have de-
layed the expression of my thanks to you, Mr..
Grey, for preserving me from such a fate as y
Mock me with no scord-thanks 7" he in
terrupted, with sudden vehemence, and a glance
that burned itself into her memory for life.
She trembled in spite of herself, with sicken-
ing, underlined fear, and dropped her eyes,
When she raised them, he was gone.
Mrs. Hope, half an hour later, in returning
from "peep behind the scenes of the en-
tertainment was passing through the dimly-
lighted conservatory. A sound startled her
and she turned to investigate.
"Mr. Grey Is it possible? You are suffer
ing?" he sprung up from the half-reclining
posture in which she had surprised him; but
with stiaed groan, dropped his head again
into his hands.
Laura started, as she laid her hand upon his
forehead; for it seemed to have touched living
fire. At her ejaculation, he aroused himself
to speak. :
"Do not be alarmed, Mrs. Hopel No-don't
call any one. / am i'll but / viii throw no
sha hat a oircia "