The Panola star. ([Panola] Panola County, Miss.) 1856-1857, 1856-08-27
NO. 81.

session, slowly entered the room. AsI
sprang forward to lead her to seat, the
color mounted to her temples; but my
heart was chilled; for looked in vain for
glimpse of my mornings gift, from the
rich braids Of deep brown hair to the
curved and snowy throat-it was not thoTei
And was just about to murmur re-
proach for her cruelty, when the trembling
of her hand upon my arm attracted my
attention towards it. What was my emo
ton when perceived the faint light Of
those beautiful pearls, struggling through
the folds of full gauze sleeve, which
draped her delicate wrist. The dear girl
unwilling that any but the eye of love
chain into a bracelet. j could hardly re-
frain from raising it to my lips; but 4
strong effort at self command proved sue
cessful, and had ny reward, when to-
wards the close Of the evening, l contriy-
ed to detain her alone in thu conservatory,
and won from her faltering lips timid
confession that my attachment was re-
| turned. And now for the ''rufied rose
| leaf"
We had passed the few weeks immedi-
ately succeeding our marriage in a hap
py retirement at a country seat, and had
returned ts town the day previous to that
with which my story commences.
As this was to be Ellcn's first appear
ance rs bride, felt little love-like
anxiety that she should wear my birthday
gift-the pearl chain, the associations with
which were, | doubted not, as pleasant
and dear to her memory as to mine. But
the "crumpled rose leaf"
had slightly limited my wish before l
left her, as | said in her drcssing-room;
and while | fingered at the door in fond
admiration of her exceling lovliness, she
turned smilingly towards me, and raising
| "a diamond band to her brow, said, in a
playfully positive tone, 81 think shall
wear this tonight; L don't ike pearls
very we'll"
1t was the recollection Of this, that, in
spite of her sportiye manner, had disturb
ed my repose.
Although Lord Henry had been among
the first and warmest in his congratula-
tions upon my engagemans I had not get
forgotten the unoasiness his attentions to
Ellen had created, and the sight Of the
diamonds forcibly recalled my former
1 fears
Gradually yielding to my jealous mcdi-
tations, | lay, with half shut eyes, absorb
ed in dreamy reycrie. One by one, how
ever, all darker and colder feelings melt
ed away, as | thought of her exquisite
grace and beauty, the bewitching sweet
ness Of her disposition, and, more than all,
her affectionate devotion to me. As be-
came more drowsy, these thoughts became
more and more indistinct, and at length l
was conscious only Of vague sensation
of luxury and happiness, when the voice
Of Ellen reused me from my trance. In
few moments l found myself in the splen-
didly lighted apartments Of the Earl Of
| - l. NStS 1iSt oNNlIN tAitAb A-AASI
had left my arm until caught a glimpse
through the crowd, Of her elegant form,
encircled by the audacious arm of Lord
Henry de Lisle, and floating Ike dream
Of light, through the maZes Of the waltz!
Strange to say, until that moment, had
quite forgotten my jealous fears about her
choice Of onaments-I had not even
noticed her dress. What then was my
surprise and anger, when at every turn of
the dance, the glare of diamonds broke
upon my view, flashing like stars through
her luxuriant hair. There was sort of
triumph in their blaze that knew not
how to brook. There was triumph, too,
in her OWN beaming smile; and worse
Oh worse than all-there was joy, exul-
tation. defiance, in the bold black eyes of
; Lord Henry, as he met my look of aston
ishment and rage. thought had never
seen her look unlovely till then. She had
never waltzed before with any one but me.
At last an opening in the crowd revealed
her whole figure to my view. Her grace
full head, her soft and exquisitely moulded
neck, her arms, her very waist, were all
wreathed and radiant with the richest and
most beautiful brilhants. She moved
literally in an atmosphere of splendor.-
But where could the thoughtless creature
have obtained them? Could they have
been the secret gift of Lord Henry? There
was distraction in the thought. Her dress,
too! When left her at her toilet, she
was arrayed, at my request in the bridal
satin, whose pure and snowy hue seemed
peculiarly appropriate to that etherial re-
fnement of beauty for which she was re-
markable. Now, for the first time, OBJ
served that over this she wore light robe
of rose-colored gauze, the wavy folds of
which foated around her as she moved,