Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-03-25

they are terrible creatures, these blue
gentlemen; and 1 could not endure them
any longer. So the third rainy evening
put on my overcoat. buttoned it up to
my chin, and, taking my umbrella in my
hand, set out in the direction of Mrs.
Vane's. Here thought, as my fin
gers pressed the latch, Il shall find the
moonlight that will illumine the darkness
of my night-the dull vapois will dis
perse before her radiant glance, and this
interminable equinoctial storm be trans
formed into a mere vernal shower, melt
ing away in sunbeams in her presence
My gentle knock not being apparently
heard. stepped into the ante room, set
down my umbrella, took off my drench-
ed overcoat, arranged my hair in the
most graceful manner, and. claiming q
privilege 10 which. perhaps, | had no
legitimate right, opened the door of the
family sitting room. and found myself in
the presence of the beautiful Theresa.
Here Uncle Ned made a provoking
pause.
"PraY, go on" "HOw was she dress
ed % "And was she glad TO see you ?"
assailed him on every side.
"How was she dressed?" repeated he
81 am not very well skilled in the tech :
nicalities Of lady's wardrobe, but l can
give you the general impression of her
personal appearance. In the first place,
there was jumping up, and an off,
hand sliding step towards an opposite
door, as | entered but a disobliging
chair was in the way, and Twas .making
my lowest bow before she found an op-
portuniIy of disappearing. Confused
and mortified, she scarcely returned my
salulation, while Mrs. Vane offered me
chair, and expressed, in somew " hat
dubious terms, their qualification at such
an unexpected pleasure. l have no
doubt Theresa wished me at the bottom
of the Frozen Ocean, if 1 might Judge
by the free zing glances she shot at me
through her long lashes. She sat unea-
silly in her chair, trying TO conceal her
slipshod shoes. and furtively arranging
her dress about the shoulders and waist.
1t was a most rebellious subject. for the
body and skirt were at open warfare.
refusing 10 have any communion with
each other. Where was the graceful
shape had so much admired? In vain
l sought its exquisite outlints in the
folds Of that loose, slovenly robe
Where were those glistening ringlets
and Furnished locks that had so lately
rivalled the tresses of Medusa? Her
hair was put up in tangled punches be
hind her ears. and tucked up behind in
kind of Gordian knot, which would
have required the sword of an Alexander
to unite. Her fir, OK was soiled and
ding: silk, with trimmings of sallow
blonde, and faded fancy handkerchief
was thrown over one shoulder.
"'You have caught me completely en-
dishobille.' said she, recovering partially
from her embarrassment: but the even
ing was so rainy. and no one but mother
and myself, l never dreamed of such an
exhibition of gallantiy as lhis.'
''She could not disguise her vexation'
with all her efforts 10 conceal it: and
Mrs. Vane evidently shared her daugh-
ter's chagrin. 1 was wicked enough to
enjoy their confusion, and never appear
ed more at my ease, or played the a
greeable with more signal success. l
was disenchanted at once, and my mind
revelled in its recovered freedom. Ny
goddess had fallen from the pedestal on
which my imagination had enthroned
her, despoiled of the beautiful drapery
which had impaired TO her such ideal
loveliness. l knew that | was lavorite
in the family, for was wealthy and in-
dependent, and, perhaps. of all There
sa's admirers, what the world would
call the best match. maliciously asked
her to play on the piano, but she made
thousand excuses, assiduously keeping
back the true reason-her disordered At
tire. | asked her to play a game of
chess, but she had headache; she was
so stupid she could never do anything
on rainy eUening.'
"At length took my leave, inwardly
blessing the moving spirit that had led
me abroad that night, that the spell
which had so long enthralled my senses
might be broken. Theresa called up
one Of her lamibent smiles as bade her
adieu.
"'Never call again on rainy even. !
ing, said she. sportively; 4 am always
so wretched dull. l believe l was born
10 live among the sunbeams, the moon
light, and the stars. Clouds will never
do for me-
"'Anen' silently responded. as 1
closed the door. While / was putting
on my coat, / overheard, without the
smallest intention of listening, passion
ate exclamation from Theresa.
"'Good gracious mother. was there
ever anything so unlucky Z? l never
thought of seeing my neighbor's dog to.
night. If l have not bean completely
caught l'
"'I hope you will mind my advice
iext time,' replied her mother, in