True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-01-18


but nothing more Tfelt that he did not
regard me with the same partiality as did
Sophie Gradually this reused in me more
interest than perhaps should otherwise
have felt, for wayward as is a woman's
heart always, mine was unusually perverse.
At last discovered that the ideal which
I had so long cherished, was fast gathering
round hero that was really tangible, and
that that hero was Sophie's brother But
l was outwardly altogether impossible. l
said to my heart, "peace be still, let none
wiring from you your secret" so that not
even Sophie suspected how much I was
interested in her stately brother.
The autumn had come. Sophie seemed
much improved. There was to be a bridal
party for one of her friends, to which we
were invited and Sophie was anxious to
go. We were sitting in my room, on the
afternoon of the eventful day, discussing
our toilet for the evening, when the door
bell rang, and Sophie was summoned to the
parlor.
She was gone q long time, and when she
did return, her face was beaming with ex.
element.
"Willard has come" !" she cried, "oh, ]
am so happy. And now you will see ant
know him. He is to be at the party this
evening; he will join us then, as he ha'
something to attend to, which prevented
him from remaining to accompany U.S.
And now, dear Julia, you must mak'
yourself very splendid, wear your blaQl
velvet, for everybody, nearly, will wea
white, and I always think you superb il
that" Generous, unselfsh heart t
think of others then before herself.
So, at her desire, I dressed my hair i
glossy braids. binding them round m
head a crest of glittering rubies gleame
like stars upon my forehead. My arm
glittered with bracelets of the same GRIN
son hue, whose red light lent warmth c
coloring to my beauty, which was wantin
unless under the influence of excitement
Sophie, who came in just as | had put tn
finishing stroke to my decorations, fairl
started, exclaiming-"Why, Julia, no
really magnificent you are!'
Very lovely was my darling Sophie
shrouded in her soft dress Of palest ros,
which lent a faint color to her delicat
cheek. Very bright were those eyes
blue with anticipations of pleasure! Vel
| gentle the heart, which beat beneath th'
falling lace. "Oh that my darling dream
; of happiness may all be realized" said
kissing that pure uplifted brow.
With stately step I entered the dra0
ingroom of Mrs.. Conscious of loo
ing well, I was determined to make
! least one do homage to my charms. TIL
c one was Herbert Lee, Sophie's brothe
V who I thought had evinced rather mo
i interest in my presence of late. Still b
o coldness piqued me, and L wondered
: his indifference.
I saw his glance of surprise as his c
l., first fell upon me, and my face was lit
C with smiles of pleasure in consequence
/ l loeked in vain for Willard Raymon
IS He had not yet arrived. But later in t
d evening, when I had Joined the dance
l. my attention was arrested by party j.
= entering, and Mr.. Raymond was the fl
% announced. With what a strange, und'
e ned emotion did / recognize in him !
% long lost hero, "The Knight of the FoV
lie tainw Before he had time to observe +
) I had, by great effort, subdued all ext
nal emotion, and when Sophie came ga
ID forward and introduced her lover, I
i trayed not the slightest trepidation. |
Of on the contrary, turned pale, stammer
IS and seemed 50 unlike himself, that SopE
| turning to him with glance of suspri
= said, "You have met before" "Na
I said I, quickly, "Mr. Raymond and l
}" self are strangers" He murmured sol
ne thing about "strange resemblance"
g, turned away. Soon after he sought
III out, and asked my hand for the next dar
in Not being engaged, | was obliged to
lis cept him. He seemed to watch my ev
el- motion, and to have eyes for no 9th
IS his behavior was so marked that all OBJ
we'd it; but I treated his attentions v
= coldness for Sophie's sake. Why ha
ng made myself so brilliant, I thought
Ter with pain. Was not each glittering {
'ry armed with sting to pierce that ge
w heart? I could have torn them from
te, hair as if they had been vipers. Once