South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1857-04-10

sible to believe her guilty of rudene.s o,
want OF grace. Often. when saw her il
tho social circle, so brilliant and smiling
the life and charm of everything around
her, thought how happy the constant
comPanionship of such a being would make
me-what brightness she would impart to
the hrcside of home-what light. what tjoy,
to the darkest scenes of existence!"
"Oh uncle. " interrupted George, laugh
ing. "if 1 were Aunt Mary. I would not
let you praise any other lady SO warmly.
You are 50 taken up with her beauty, you
have forgotten all about the rainy evening" j"
Aunt Mary smiled, but it is more than
probable that George had really touched
one Of the hidden springs of her woman's
heart, for sue looked down. and Said moth
ing.
Don't ba impatient" said Uncle Ned,
"and you shall not be cheated out of your
story. l began it for Elizabeth's 8 sake, ra-
ther than yours. and 1 sec she is wide a.
wake. She thinks I was, by this time,
more than half in love with Theresa Vane,
and she thinks more than half right
There had been great many parties of
pleasure-riding parties, sailing parties,
and talking parties-and summer slipped
by almost unconsciously At length the
sutumnaI equinox approached, and gather
ing clouds. northeastern gales, and driz-
z'ing rains. succeeded to the soft brcezes,
mellow skies. and glowing sunsets, peculi-
ar to that beautiful season. For two or
three days | was confined within doors by
the continuous rains. and, l am sorry to
confess it, but the blue-devils got complete
possession Of me. One stridcd upon nv
nose, another danced on the top Of my
head one pinched my ear, and another
turned somcrsets on my chin You laugh,
little Nanny. but they arc terrible creatures,
these blue gentlemen: and I could not en-
du,c them any longer. So the third raj
ny 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. Fane's. Here thought I, as my
fingers pressed the latch. L Shall find the
moonlight smile that will illuminc the
darkness of my night-the dull vapors will
dispcrse before her radiant glance. and this
interminablc equinoctial storm be trans
formed into mere vernal shower, melting
away in sunbcams in her presence NV
gentle knock not being apparently heard,
l stepped into the ante-room, set down nv
umbrella, took of my drcnched overcoat,
arranged my hair in the most graceful
manner, and. claiming a privilege to
which, perhaps. I had no legitimate right,
opened the door ofthe family sitting room,
and found myself in the presence of the
beautiful Theresa"
Here Uncle Ned made provoking
pause.
pray. 60 on" How was she dresscd?"
"And was shc glad to sec you 2" assailcd
him on every side.
How was she dressed ?" repeated he
Il am not very we'll skilled in the tcchni-
calit!cs of lady's wardrobe, but I can
give you the general impression of her per-
sonal appearance. In the first place, there
was jumping up, and an off-hand sliding
step towards an opposite door, as enter
cd but disubliging chair was in the way,
and l was making my lowest bow before
she found an opportunity Of disappearing.
Confused and mortified. she scarcely return
ed my salutation. while Mrs. Vane offered
ME chair. and expressed, in somewhat
dubious terms. their qualification at such
nm unexpected pleasure. l have no doubt
Theresa wished me at the bottom of the
Frozen Ocean, if I might Judge by the
freezing glances she shot at me through
her long lasbes. She sat uneasily 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
we're at open warfare, refusing to have any
communion with each other. Where was
the graceful shape had so much admired l.?
In vain l sought its exquisite outlines in
the folds of that loose, slovenly robe
Where were those glistening ringlets and
FURNISHED locks that had co lately rivalled
the tresses of Medusa Her hair was mt
up in tangled punches behind her ears. and
tucked up behind kind of Gordian knot,
which would have required the sword of
an Alexander to unite. Her frock was q
soiled and dingy silk, with trimmings of
sallow blonde, aud faded fancy handker-
chief was thrown ever one shoulder.
"'You have caught me completely en-
aeshadille,' said she, recovering partially
from her embarrassment; but the evening
was so rainy, and no one but mother and
myself, / never dreamed of such an e1hi-
bition of gallantry as this
"She could not disguise her vexation,
with all her efforts to conceal it and Mrs.
Vane evidently shared her daughters
chagrin. was wicked enough to enjoy
their confusion, and never appeared more
at my ease, or played the agreeable with
more signal success. was disenchanted
at once, and my mind revclled in its re-
covered freedom. My goddess had fallen
from the pedestal on which my imagination
bad enthroned her, despoiled Of the beau
tiful drapery which had impaired to her
such ideal lovcliness. knew that wa.
favorite in the family, for I was wealthy
aud independent, and, perhaps, of ali
Theresa's admirers what the world would
call the best match. I maliciously asked
her to play on the piano, but she made q
thousand excuses, assiduously keepino