The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-08-22

Indifference.
/ My cousin exclaimed against my cold
ness and want of enthusiasm about the
young naval officer and began to make a
pompous eulogium of Aim. She compelled
me to notice his graceful manners, manly
beauty, and distinction. He was, she de-
clared, the very ideal she had dreamed!
Poor girl!
! | listened to her, and felt pang of re-
morse, for reproached myself with not
having found an opportunity of telling
NJ. de Kerguereon that it was she whom
he ought to love- She! and was it she
indeed whom he preferred, as he had en-
gagged her first? Why then had he la
bored under such strong emotion when
dancing with me? Why had he taken
and begged that flower, if he preferred
4 her? | was lost in q labyrinth of conjec-
lures like these, and my head was burning.
|. Denise said that / was cross.
] NJ. Gle Kerguereon danced once more
with my cousin. ] refused another part
ner that / might watch and see if he
/ would be with Denise asshe had been with
me. He appeared cold and collected,
and for that,very reason much more grace
Iful. He made the most of all his advan-
tages; he possessed all his presence of
I mind. A moment came, however, when
l saw him turn pale. Denise looked to-
ward me. No doubt they were talking of
me, but what did they say?
was no longer myself; I, usually so
calm, cold, and unmoved now was all fe-
verish; my heart palpitaed violently, and
Ia thousand confused ideas were, .racking
my brain. Was it love? do not know,
! 4if so, love was painful to mel
M.de Kerguereon brought Denise back
to her place and asked me no more My
heart felt Keen pang; but what did /
feel good heavens!, when mycousin, whis-
! pering into my ear, said, -tss
Mary, have betrayed myself; / spoke
to him Of his sister, when looking at you,
and telling him how we loved each other.
But what signifies now? has he not found
me out? Since he asked me to dance
twice to your once, and then he scarcely
spoke to you while with me he was as
pleasing and amiable as possible"
'Ohn' added she, throwing back her
luxuriant curls 10y graceful movement of
the head; ooh! I am so happy, for, I must
own that 1 was afraid for moment he
would prefer you to me; now have no
reason to doubt"
We did not see NJ de Kerguereon
again, andit was doubtless on that account
Denise complained Of fatigue and wished
to return to Marty. He was no longer
at the countess de ***'s, and the ball had
no more charms for her.
| The next morning / had got much calm
;er, and nothing remained of the incidents
of the evening but vague and confused
idea. Denise on the contrary was in a
very excited state, which frightened me,
and for the first time alarmed my aunt her.
self, always SO weak and indulgent towards
her daughter. But Denise seemed so GER
tain that NJ de Kerguereon was about to
ask her hand in marriage that my aunt
took confidence. ,gsf s.,f.. a,eT
: We had just breakfasted, the hour for
the second delivery was near, and my
cousin awaited it with impatience, for she
fully expected letter from M. de Kergue-
reon.
Denise was not disappointed, for the
letter came.
Oh, heavens! how fresh are all the de-
tails of the terrible scene in my memory!
1t was a beautiful day in August about
one O'Clock; the atmosphere was close and
the heat intolerable. We were all three
in the saloon, the windows of which were
open and the blinds shut to exclude the
burning rays of the sun. My aunt was
reading a newspaper, and stopped from
time to time to look easily at her .daugh-
ter, who, reclining on a sofa, as pale as the
white muslin wrapper that enveleped her
person, seemed to be looking hard at va
cancy, in a state of anxious expectation.
l was at the piano, and my f lgers wan
dered mechanically over the keys. :, 49,.
A servant entered with letter on a sal
yer. t .s7. Fa..;s;
For Mrs. Denise said he, advancing
| towards her, and she took it with trem-
bling hand. ~, ..a, ees.se..,,s, 5.
The servant retired. l.t
My aunt hastened toward her daughter
and wanted to take the letter; the poor
mother was seized with terrible presen-
timent. Fs
Denise gently repulsed her, saying, 4No,
no, it is for me, and | wish to be the first
to know my happiness"
/ wanted to approach her, but my
strength failed me. .eaassA
She at last broke open the fatal letter.
but had scarcely looked at it, when a livid
paleness came Over her features; the letter
dropped from her hand and she fell insen-,
sible on the sofa.
My aunt rushed toward her, and | rang
and ran to get assistance. 8. s.
lssa NY cousins swoon lasted long, very
long: and when she came to herself, she
stared at us and burst into a loud laugh.
The poor girl paid dearly for her romantic
dreams she had indulged;, !, she was insane.
/ picked up the letter, the cause of this
q ,ho .fo11