Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-17
I'm THE MIZ:''
A STORY OF OUR OWN TINES.
BIT L. VIRGINIA FREEcH.
CHAPTER Y.

atmosphere almost as balmy the breath Of Spring.
Through the dark green boughs of the fine old
trees without, might be caught the fash and sparkle
Of the winding river, while beyond stretched the
broad landscape of hl and dale, all fresh and glow
ing in the sunlight if but newly created. With.
In sll was arranged for the eye Of the mistress,
who bad not yet appeared In the centre Of the
apartment stood the breakfssttable, covered with
every deliSacy which luxury could desire for his
matutnal repsst, and by il, for perhaps half an
hour had sat Msj. Gordon. The morning papers
were 10 his hand yet he scarcely seemed to be
reading for often they would glide from his relax,
ed fingers and the deep line between his brow
would grow deeper, as if be were vanly endeavor-
ing 20 solve "knotty question" Eyes, be
muttered to himself 81 will ask her. at any rate
can do no hsrm;--but why don't the gypsy come 70
breakfast; past o'clock" he added the tiny pen
dule on the mantelpiece struck the quarter past -
''past o'clock and must be in town by ten" BE
rose and rang the bell determined to take his coffee
alone when his sister entered. Her costume
still the faultess reflection Of Partisan paTre, but
her eyes were heavy and there was faint flush
about the lids, which told she had not slept WELL
"Bon Jour- nlademoiselLe," said her brother, as
she gIded to her seat opposite his own, ''but you
are not well this morning, Arabea is il not SO ?"
and he halEreproaced himself for the one inpatient
thought which had preceded her coming.
"No,-I am quite well, thank you" she replied,
and there was the very slightest touch of petulance
in her tone, as she turned to pour out the fragrant
Mocha.
'The season Is advancing Arabella, and our con-
templsted visit to New Orleans should be no longer
delayed; do you think you be ready to leave
on the packet, day after tomorrow" inquired the
Mej. helping himself to q second slice of toast.
ut is very strange brother that you will persist
in annoying me about this tresome visit" she re.
piled, sand what is a season in New Orleans
everybody goes there now"
"But this is to be an unusally gay season" urg
ed the brother.
And go let il be, do not envy the common
crowd their pleasure am sure"
"Really, Arabella If / must say so scarcely know
how 10 understand you, it was only about month
ago that you were extremely anxious TO leave
perpetuslly wishing the time OF our departure TO
arrive, and the Maj. took another muffin.
"A woman is at liberty, if she be not married, to
change her mind, II may have taken fancy TO
what they call the charms of Nature, and country
life"
"A most remarkable change, upon my word, re-
turned he, rather warmly, lit not long since
you called this an old castle, and me your grim
guardian, expressing your determination to leave 1t
as soon as the fat Of fashion would allow you to
appear in the City. What can have wrought this
wonderful change? The lady made no reply,-she
pushed her chair back from the table and her slen
der slippered foot patted the carpet impatiently.
at is in vain, My dear Sister" resumed Maj. Cor
don very gravely,-"that you now attempt to con"
cea your feelings from me. A thorough woman of
the world, your emotions are ever concealed by
the mask society bids you wear. You are, 1t Is
true, fashionable woman but you have still
heart Your loveliness has won admiration and
adulation has brought ambition; gradually there has
come upon you fashions premature worldlness,
the tutoring Of thought and impulse, and finally
settled policy, and action which but too often fol
low aspirations founded only in vanity, and aiming
only at conquest. Yet in this instance you cannot
deceive me;-I know that beneath the surface OF
selhshness which shrOuds you. better nature,
woman's heart still fingers, and at last that heart
has been awakened. Ny sister you love-nay, 30
not turn awayfrom me,-to the young stranger who
has visited US frequently of late, you are not in
diherent,-will you not tell me frankly 1t is so!
am your brother, Arabella." But reply broke
from the pale, and quivering lips Of the lady, her
polished brow was knitted, her dark eyes flashed,
and short convulsive breathing heaved her bosom.
Her brother rose, and drawing seat beside her;
tende,ly took her hand.
"Arabela, tell me-" he whispered, ''you are not
Indifferent new and iavorite acquaintance"
"And shat il / ?" she asked in voice
so low and husky, as to be almost inaudible.
"Nothing." he replied, Except that deem him
every way worthy Of you; the love which he has
soughl be should be happy to-"
girl, her overweight feelings breaking forth in
ungovernable moment-then instantly as her maid
pride returned, burning blush overspread her
brow, and cheek, aud bosom-And rising precipi-
lately she with a naughty, hurried step, left the
apartment. Arrived at her own chamber, she
double locked the door, and throwing herself upon
the couch, gave vent TO her wounded feelings In
passionate burst Of tears. The Major stood full
minute after she left hun, as if in pround stupor
OF astoushment, and then-Tode of 10 town. Twas
all that man could DO.
Arabela Gordon was not false hearted woman.
On the contrary, she possessed many noble traits
OF character, and had naturally warm and ahec-
tiouAte hoart Endowed with strong passions, and
possessing but a weak intellect, her education IN
fortunately had tended to develop she former, and
even contract the latter. The spoiled child OF lux
ury and wealth, the acknowledged arbitress Of
fashion, the star Of the circle in which she moved
she could not bear that anything she coveted
should be denied her. Every young gentleman OF
her acquaintance, whom she deemed worthy Of
that honor, had been brought TO her feet, and re-
jected-and she could not brook the thought that
Frankenstien should pass unscathed. The conquest
OF bis heart she bad looked upon as q matter Of
course, and had he surrendered easily as his
predecessors IL is probable he would have been
dismissed in their train. His attentions ex-
cited her hopes-his careful reserve, never
ceedng the limits OF a respectful friendship, piQued
her vanity, and the consequence was that ere she
was aware che loved him-that is, she loved bin
rs deeply as such a nature hers was capable Of
loving. Aud nov she lay sobbing In the silence
OF her own apartment, she only like the petted
child, that having every thing else turns from all,
and cries aloud for some bright solitary star that
burns far away in the mid-heavenl
$50 you are determined 20 leave US to-day, Frank
enstien, said Mr.. Leigh they sat down to break
fast 90 the same morning on which the scene just
narrated occurred.
"Yss," was the reply, 81 must at last tear my.
self Away."
81 see no necessity for 50 doing. remarked the
other, my dear fellow, you are a FREQ agent, no
governor 10 control you-no wife TO drag you
about"-and be glanced at his own pretty vile
across the table
"Mas Percy, please come look at de black Ally,
sab, she's been hurtin' herse sab, !" said a sleek
faced specimen Of ebony at the door And Leigh,
with a hurried apology. sprang mp aud followed the
servant 20 the stables, in great alarm for his IA
yorite.
''Yes, certainly" said Mrs. Leigh, ''yoH are not
obliged 10 leave. Mr.. Frankenstein."
IL ought 70 DO go madame, having received let
tiers Which announce business in New Orleans which
should be attended to immediately. Yet | AN 20
much in love with your delightful place, that leave
you with much regret"
''Thank you" she replied. "But cannot you
wait Few days longerS Our friend Miss Bell aud
Der brother going 20 New Orleans very SHORTLY,
and they viii make delightful companions,n she
added with an arb smile. he met The glance, and
understood il perfectly.
Certainly, nv dear LADY. bat cannot delay"
''Not even day or twoY
"lmpOsslble"
i. "Ahl well, presume then that al IL satlsfac
torily arranged" said che. ''aud you vii ere long
return"
.'Assuredy II my wishes could eOnirOl my actions
would visit yoH frequently.
sObi loliy, Mr. hanksnslein, what sense ls there