The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-03-27
! RAVENNA, THURSDAY, MARCH q, 1856

the entrance Of the visitor. However, he
had tact enough to think Of Kate's embaf.
rassment, and, as he rose to make his bow,
adroitly placed himself SO as to eohcealher
for moment and allow her time to recover
from her confusion. The Major gave both
parties, on the instant, suspicious glance,
bot his softest smile Immediately succeeded;
and with easy. assurance. taking the seat
Preston had vacated, he glided into strain
Uf brilliant small talk, such as would have
done honor to any gallant Of the day. incom.
parable. at compliments and snuff boxes
Preston was angry at this unceremonjous
supplanting, but even more angry to see
how quickly Kate recovered herself and
dashed out in the strife Of repartee, with a
spirit and ease even superior to the Majors.
Preston chafed, and thought she might be a
little less interested. At first he was silent
and reserved, then he began to be uneasy,
and once or twice he yielded to his irritabil.
ity in words. He cursed his folly for imag-
iuing, as he did five minutes before, that she
thought more Of him than she did Of others
He fixed his eyes half frowningly, half con-
tempetuossly on Kate. She colored imme-
diately, he thought with conscious guilt
The next moment she turned haughtily a.
way and addressed the Major. Now, for the
first time, Preston became convinced of the
existence of the engagement respecting
which he had heard so much. Burning with
modification, after sitting a few seconds,
during which Kate did not once address him,
he arose and abruptly took his leave. .-se
"She loves him." he exclaimed bitterly.
"Dazzled by the glitter Of a ecornet, she
casts aside her old and tried friend like a
worn out trinket. Oh, God!was it for this
fastened home! was it for this treasured
her, memory through long yearsl', -.-s
For hours he remained alone, now pacing
his chamber with rapid strides, now burying
his face moodiy in his hands. He recalled
all his various interviews with Kate, and
strove to remember her every wordand look /;
the result was to curse himself for his eyre
gious folly in fancying for moment that
she loved him. But after while his feel.
ings grew less exasperated. He reflected
on Kate's manner that morning, before the
arrival of Major Lindsay, and hope once
more dawned in his bosom. .a. ..- na
81 will lose no time" he said, ain learn.
ing my fate decisiveIy. shall see Kate at
her aunt's ball, and her manner there will
determine my suspense. T. she is cold and
naughty will understand that she wishes
to rebnkc my presumption this morning.
In that case / will trif1e here no longer, but
at once join General Marion. Macdonald,
my foster brother, loves me too wei! to de-
sert me, but he has been crazy to be gone
this fortnight past, will order him to get
a pass and haye everything ready in case OF
the worst, which my heart forebodes."
1t was after arriving at this determination,
and receiving Macdonald's message, that
Preston gave himself up to his melancholy,
nor did he rise from his despending position
until it was time to dress for Mrs. Blakel Tvs
ball. ..-....- .,.... .f.-.-.- .t....@ .
The sound of gay music, the flashing dia.
monds and the twinkliLg of light forms met
his sight rs he entered the ballroom: but
he had eyes only for one object; and he soon
sought out Kate amid her crowd of admir-
ers. Never had she looked so transcend.
emily lovely. 1t is a thought of taste and
fashion nowadays to laugh at the enormous
hoops and powdered halr Of our grandmoth-
ers; but let US tell you, good render, that a
belle of the present age, with her deformed
tournure and Dutch amplitude of skirt, tho
she may create sort of matter.of-fa:t sens
alton, very suitable for this money making
generation, never awakens that deep senti-
ment of alteration, that respectful, awe
Estruck, Sir Charles Grandson feeling, be.
slowed on the beauty of the last century,
august in silver tissue and high. heeled shoes.
The veriest stickler for modern ease would
have given up the point at the sight of Kate
She wore, as was then the custom, petit.
coat OF, rich brocade, a single yard which
cost more than the twenty .ellsof lute.strine
flaunted by beauty now. Over this was
robe of white satin, made high on the
shoulders, but opening in front SO as partial
ly to, reveal the swelling bust, and expose
, the richly gemmed stomacher and glitterine
petticoat.. The edge of this robe from the
i neck down was trimmed with a quilting Q
blue ribbon. The tightsleeve, with bands
. like the trimming Of the robe. reachedatt
T the elbow; and the deep rudle Of Valen
ciennes lace, which nearly hid the rount
!, white arm, heightened with rare artt the beau
4 ties it affected to conceal. Her hair wal
gathered hack from the forehead, richly pow
dered, and trimmed coquettishly with blut
ribbon. Now, if there be, any heretical re
pudiator of the past, denying the brillianc,
that powder gave affair complexion, we wisi
he would go and look at one Of Copley'
, portraits, or, what is better! r!---couH hav,
seen Kate then We trow bis mouth woul'
have @atered. We doubt II Justice is don,
to those good old times. All! those wer'
the days Of 'courtly danes and high-bred cav
aliers--when the stately minuet still he'll
swsy--when gentlemen bowed reserentlJ