The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-02-13

He turned again to his desk, and raj
idly sealing the letter he had been wr
ting, gave that, with several others, t
the boy in waiting, and then turned t
the new conner. He looked at hir
searchingly; then bursting into fit
laughter, exclaimed,
What's the matter now? Hav
you lost your last friend, or have yot
got heavy note falling due, and moth
ing to meet it hey ?''
Meredith shook his head.
"Only my old complaint" he said
"a touch of the blue devils, and so
dropped in here to see if you couldn'
exercise them as usual. You are al
ways so happy, notwithstanding you are
SO busy"
Notwithstanding i'' interrupted Ir
wing. because I'm SO busy, you nigh
say, and come nearer the truth. Take
my advice; go to work yourself, and
I'll wager you'll be no more troubled
with the blues than I am"
The remedy is worse than the dis.
ease" said Meredith. why should !
care to make money! You know very
we'll that poor There Sc left me more
than I know what to do with. I am
much obliged for Jour prescription, but
must decline following it."
"Well I won't get offended, like
most friends, if you won't take my ad-
vice; but I'll prescribe again. This is
Mrs. Bigelow's reception evening; go
with me there, and I'll promise you a
release from your blue tormentors for
one evening at least
A party !" exclaimed Louis, shrug-
ging his shoulders. "That's worse and
worse 70
1t isn't like an ordinary party, "per-
sisted his friend, "where you go to be
stihed in crowd, and cram yourself
with delicacies. 1t is an unceremonous
nssemblage of agreeable people, drawn
by a desire to meeteach other
in part; but. must confess, the most
powerful magnet is Bigelow's niece
the loveliest creature you ever beheld. y
GA belle l'' sneered Meredith; 81
letest the whole tribe of empty headed
"It's plain you haven't seen the belle
If Montford, ," rejoined Irving. C. You've
.ead Blanca, haven't you ?"
Yes, 1 have, and it surely was glo-
'ious work" J"
"Well, our belle wrote that"
Indeed ~ said Meredith, with
tart, and look of animation that made
lis fine but impassive features doubly
then, relapsing into his old
manner, he said,
ga belief From all ink-bedaubed
lanes, good Lord, deliver us ''
L" I see you are determined not to be
,leased with anything" said his COM
,anion. But I'll defy you to resist
'ur belle and blue, if you but see her.
Viii you go to the party or not ? Say
-es or no, Louis, for I must dismiss you
ather unceremoniousiy, as I have
BUSINESS engagement at four, and it
acks only quarter of that hour"
eyes, then," yawned Louis, as he
lowly sauntered off.
Mrs. Bigelow's splendid parlors were
blaze of light as the two gentlemen
ntered that evening and paid their re-
poets to their hostess. At little dis
ance from her stood a young and queen
y-looking girl, talking gaily with
not of gentlemen; she was richly at
ired, and her robe of rose-colored silk
ontrasted well with her clear olive
She did not observe the
ew-comers till they had joined the
roup around her; then, with easy ele::
ance, she welcomed Mr.. Irving, and
owed with much grace to Mr. Meredith
n his introduction to Miss Lancaster.
For once Louis Meredith was startled
ut of his usual apathy. Beatrice"
rembled on his lips; for it was she,
lore lovely, if possible, than when he
ad seen her five years before. Could
! Re that sic was the author of that
ronderful book that had thrilled the
carts of nation He could hardly |
elieve the evidence of his own senses,
nd, bewildered by his emotions, he |
TODD speechless for few moments.
hen recovering himself, he was again
be polished man of the world.
Beatrice, neither by words or look |
etrayed her recollection of him, and he |
id not venture to recall the past. She
reated him with easy politeness, and
e, half vexed at the power she had over
i'm, yet unable to resist her facinations,
as as constant an attendant upon her
) her shadow during the whole even
,g.
His friends rallied him on his surren-
er to the belle and the blue, and Louis
lid but little in reply; but from that
me he was constant visitor at Mrs.
'igelow's, where Beatrice, since the
cath of her mother, had resided. With
Irs. Bigelow he soon became favorite,
ut Beatrice, though studiously polite,
as equally cold; yet, notwithstanding
Il her coldness; Louis was more madly
j love with her than ever.