True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-11-12
VOLUME 22i,NUMBER 3, As.

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almost subduing by its lustIe the light Of
the many colored lamps which burned
there. Aromatic plants and Indian exo-
tics filed the air with delicious perfumes;
all was balmy and luxurious as the spice
groves Of Southern islands; but with no
heed for the beauty or fragrance Of that
fower-wreathed bower, Paul Denning
leaned his head against pillar and gave
himself up 10 moody thoughts.
He would have bartefed aIl-his name
the honors and wealth his profession were
fast pouring in upon him-all, could he
but have been transported back into the
vanished years, and once more wander
with little Mary Derwent beneath that
August moonlight and under starlit skies.
The shadow of the past lay heavily on
his soul ; but oh, how vain was regret.
Time passed he might have been there
| one or tvs o hours-he took no heed Of
time. until he heard the rustic of silken
robes and a low sigh beside him, and
hand was laid upon his arm. He looked
down the hand was small and white,
and sparkling with diamonds--he turned
to the owner Of that lily hand, her face
was magni6cenlly beautiful, but it was
not the face which haunted his thoughts.
His hostess stood beside him.
Paul - she murmured, softly.
{" Mrs. Hunler!' he calculated, in
great surprise al her appearance there.
4" Hush! always that cold name. Call
me Matte, as in other days. have cal
led you Paul." exclaimed the beautiful
temptrcss, her cheek crimsoning with
a rich glow, her dark eye seeking his.
" Ma.tie-Matlie p he murmured, al
most tenderly for moment, while her
siren words fell on his bewldered senses
then dropping the hand which had slid
into his, he continued coldly," No, that
name is for me 10 utter no more. Mrs.
| Hunter: let me conduct you back TO your
guests p and he politely preferred his
arm.
t Matte Hunter drew back scornfully,
, turned very pale, and then, going up close
to him, with rapid waves of passion and
; tenderness chasing each other in quick
succession over her face, said,
Paul Denning, you shall hear me
Your coldness kills me. have waited
t long-long, but you would not say what
! your haughtiness compels me now 10 ut
! ter. You may call me bold, unwomauly.
/ any thing-l care not-I cannot help it I!
{ I must revoke those words which once,
. in my madness. uttered to you. Paul,
5 Paul, were you to ask me again the
question you then asked, my answer
would be far different You understand
me, Paul :" and the passionate woman
t grasped his hands tightly and gazed into
:, his eyes. s....-e ,
a Denning listened with mingled sensations
0 Of surprise, scorn, and pity ; surprise that
$ the worldly woman could feel SO deeply,
e and so far subdue her pride as to plead for
S that affection she had once cast from her
. --scoIn for the mercenary spirit which
had swayed her in his rejection-and
= pity, for he had no love.
i. "Mrs. Hunter" and he spoke calmly
!; I" this is strange language--words never
f; expected to hear from you. Once they
y would have moved me strangely, filled
! my heart with wild Joy, but now / will
l. not deceive you'll do not love you"
With groan ofanguish the humilia
e ted woman buried her face in her hands
s I" Scorned, despised, and have betray.
o ed myself! The themes for laughs and
It ieers--that should so far forget my
Ii pride as to plead for a love which is de;
i. MED me ~ ~ - 81
Z "Nay, not SOL" said Denning, gently
IS kindly, for his heart was touched. You
IS secret shall remain locked in my keeping
|, as safely as if it had never been spoken
e | too have nothing to boast over, to glory
IS in. The memory of this interview let u
{. bury in the past; let US be friends. Mrs
u Hunter, / give yon my hand on it,
She seized the profered hand, cover
% ed it with fearful kisses, then turned
ID away. Again she came back, and looking
RI earnestly into his face, said in a low voic,
y quivering with intense emotion.
is paul DenningJ you are the soul oI
10 honor |! do not deserve your love, no
o even your kindness, since il was my owl
le pride which ruined my happiness. ] g,
es again to the world, Jet. ere Igo thither
ht tell me, do you love another ?"E ss p ,
r, Trembling, and awaiting his reply, a