Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-09
Fer the Nashville Patriot.
IN THE MIZ:''
CHAPTER ".
BY L. VIRGINIA FREScH.

proudest mansions Of which the old and sristo-
cratic city of Natcbez can boast, were mingled
bright galaxy Of Southern beauty, and gallant
band of Southern chivalry. The walls we're hung
with rich draperies, and heavy festoOns Of verdure
gemmed with ten thousand flowers, which shed
upon the atmosphere a cloud of fragrance,-a
myriad Of flashing lights glittered over the spark
lug scene, and when soft at 6rst then deepening
10 a torrent Of melodous sound, Emusic arose with
its voluptuous swell" the gay dancers glided to
their places, and the scene became one gorgeous
and graceful panorama of life, moving to the most
enchanting strains Of mirth and melody. Con.
spicuous alike for her transcendent beauty her i'm
perial grace, and her splendor of costume shone
the acknowledged star Of the evening,-ths mag
Dihcent Bell Gordon. Taller BY far than any lady
in the room, in fact rivallng in this respect the
finest figures among the gentlemen, her superbly
rounded form swept msjestically to and fro, amid
the Of the dance, with sort Of imperial
grandeur, that empress might be proud to wear.
Her rich and lusrous robe of dark blue velvet
swept the ground, from which cleaned up the daz-
cling arms and shoulders until you wonld have
said an image cut from polar SHOWS, grew dim 6eS
side their statuesque perfection. A necklace OF
pearls encirced her swan-like throat and brace
let OF the same clasped lovingly around one white
arm;-her hair was dressed in the prevailing mode,
and single snowy plume Of extraordinary rich
ness, fell from the dark coils clustered at the back
of her head, and waved droopingly over her
rounded shoulder. As she cast her dark eyes
around upon that brilliant assembly, half smile
of triumph wresthed moment the exquisitely
chiselled lps-she saw in all that array Of lowell
ness no fair form which might dare 70 shine her
rival Bell Gordon knew that she was beautiful
-peerlessly beautiful
A couple of young men, arm 10 arm entered
the saloon, and after paUsing moment at the door,
made their way eIpeditiously as the crowd
would permit, towards group of their companions
who Stood for the present ''lookers on in Vienna"
at the opposite end of the room.
"Ah Frankenstein my dear fellow, how are
you just in tme,-deuced lucky,-when did
you arrive ?" were the EXPLANATIONS that greeted
them they approached.
"Well, thank you glad Of it,-about an hour
ago,"-were specimens Of the replies
''And Leigh brought you down, eh CLEVER in
him-we owe him vote of thank, -know his
wife?" Frankenstein replied that he had that
honor.
Beautiful creature, is she not" continued one
OF his companions;-"so charming and smiable
too, ali cali her Lady Leigh. There she is
now, dancing with Bowman the first couple to the
right "0ur hero" looked in the direction
pointed out, caught her eyes and bowsd,-she
smiled, and returned bis courtesy with the famil
iarty Of old acquaintance
'But pray tell me" he inquired in moment,
''who is that imperial beauty, dancing visa
Wis TO Mrs. Leigh l have never seen such mag
n6cent lovelinessm
"Ha! ha | BY Jove knew it,-knew it I" cried
his friends laughing, why Frsnk-my boy, we all
said that would be the very first breath you would
draw in this roOm,-thst question"
"But who is she ?-surely my question is a fair
one, il has so fair a subject" "0b! yes, certain
~ MI fair enough,-welL, but guard your heart,
my dear fellow, for that is Miss Bell Gordon, the
loveliest the wealthest and the haughtest belle
in all Mississippi, aye, in the United States for
aught know to the contrary. Is she not superb"
1.-THE loveliest large woman ever saw, responded
Frankenstein and bis whole soul in his face at
tested well the truth Of his declaration.
81 foresee your destiny, my dear boy" said one.
Gle will soou be in love, eh 2" added another.
''Soon2 he's in about such quandsry at this
moment" chimeG in a third
"Franksnsten," said Leigh, advancing from the
dancers "come, leave these incOrrigibles; / must
present you to bright particular star Miss
Gordon. That is she, the third lady to the left;
dont be afraid of her size, though she is almost
tall as yourself Very few OF these fellows can
dance with her; it requires man 20 do that, and
Leigh drew up his own fine figure TO its height and
glanced with mock solemnity at his companions
"But, come" he continued, you'll do, you
willingf"
"WiIng and ready" exclaimed Frankenstien.
and taking Leighs arm, they approached the
dancers
Frank is in for it" remarked one Of the young
men as they moved away; "well he pldy win he
Is cot a man 20 give in when once he has set his
Tat's dim IN bis
and they adjourned
They certainly remarkably fine looking
couple and as Frankenstien led the Sultana like
beauty TO the first place in the dance hum Of ad-
miration round the circle of spectators, and
many we're the comments and prophecies as TO the
ultimate result of the introduction of a pair in
every way so well suited to each other. The lively
Mrs Leigh, as she presented her little white hand
TO "our hero, whispered saucily,
$50 stately HIS form and so lovely her face
That 4 hall such galliArd did grace
aud as she glided by his queen.like partner, muir
INJURED so softly that il only reached the for
whom IL intended
"A noble fellow, Be-let US have your sweet
est smiles tonight"
Frankenstien, at the termination Of the sett, was
obliged 20 resign Miss Gordon TO another partner
but he had the pleasure Of handing her TO supper
and q subsequent promenade. They were thus en-
gsged-"our hero" excited enTaptured, in short !
"enthlised"- the rich veins OF feeling wit aud sem
timent in his noble nature, were pouring out an |
apparently e1haUatess stream Of eloquence; the
naughty beauty by bis side bending her head,
gentle and interested listener, when a musical but
at that moment Hnwelcome voice, arrested both
their promenade and their conversation OF conver-
sHtion il could be called, in which Frankensiien
alone sustained the character Of speaker)
"How very selfish you appearing, my dear
friend,n said the voice IL must pronounce such
proceeding an unwauntable monopoly, and carry !
of Miss Gordon 10 order 20 the lives Of some
others OF her admirers who are actually expiring |
with jealousy. Frankensten pleaded his cause |
with much earnestress-he was a stranger-he /
knew 90 other lady-he was sure she would spare /
him, &c.
40 must not listen 70 your eloquence," she 1
replied gAily. Il must take upon me the part OF |
the deaf adder, and heed not the voice Of the /
chArmer, charm be never so wisely Percy" she 4
continued, ss her husband passed them, "pray /
oblige me by carrying OF Miss Gordon, and give /
Bow man an opportunity for the next dance The /
poor mau IL quite deranged."
Laughing heartily, Leigh drew arm Of Miss Cor. /
don familiarity through kis own. AZ che passed, /
s'our hero" bowed end snowy glove fell 70 the /
aoor at bis sile H. uised Il aud was about 10 |
spring alter her 70 store 4, when MIA Leigh laid /
her litlls hand softly upon his arm
"You silly boy" she exclaimed what cas- you /
meant" Then looking up Ar,bly in his face, with /
on expression which Ter beauty and her ludicrOus 1
mock gravity rendered perfectly beNitching, she 4
added Ny dear iiispd, eau is be thai you such
a novicef"
Prnnkanstieu rpas puzzled. bat be had the good
sense not 10 appear to Dc leased.
"Will your lAdysbip be kind enough 70 explain /
What can have done thus % have laid myself liable 4
40 be called novice ," he said, smiling aud turn
a