Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1857-02-12

vas rtcn and piainttve, and the voice OF the
singer one that, ooes heard, would Laant
the heart forever. was conscious Of .
vogue, oppressive sadnsss, vbeu she faish-
ed tho song. IL seemed as 10 tboss words
- No, ne'er can thy homo be mine, we're
sung to and for meas il she wouid place
an iosnrmountable barrier between us, even
before I knew her.
i waited apxio0sly TO see Der face A
woman who could sing 80 sweetly, had no
business TO be ugly At last sbc rose and
turned from the group that hocked around
her, and had fair glimpse Of her features
She looked exactly As bad magiued she
ve1ld She vas .all aud stately, xi,L
straight, proud features, coal black hair and
eyes, clear, pale, olive com mplexion, sbd an
air OF vsll-bred indifference and AaHfezr
that was s,rang ~ captivating to raw col
iege youth like me She vas not III after
wards ascsstsiueoI quite twenty three, and
yet she seemed TO have vearied OF all earth's
pleasures, aud osly 20 live because life was
given. to her. L did not know then how
soon = heart grows old in the whirl Of fash.
ionahle dissipation
While gSzsd on ahi admired her Per.
feet beauty, saw Alfred walk quietly up
10 her, and say few words in an sader.
tone.
Ny cousin + she exclaimed and the Ian.
guild face lii up suddenly rs IL fame had
shoue through Il.
The group around her drew back. aud left
the two by themselves I saw her large,
dark eyes now aashing and animated. turn
toward us; and the next moment Alfred
beekoncd US nearer.
We went, enyied Atherton the easy as
anr tNk ~ IL l. - 4
when l heard the words
This 10 my friend Frank, Georgie, Of
whom have written to you. Mr. Leslie
Miss Brenton and saw those vondrous
dark eyes turn upon my face as made my
droop, and wished myself hundred miles
away Atherton looked Mt me With con-
ical glace He had never seen me en- bar.
rasstd in any sitaation-but then he had
never seen me in love beforei
Yes-I confess H. fell desperately in
love with the fair Southerner before Eve
minutes passed away A pretty blue.eysd
Northern friend Of hers had been introduced
to Us, and claimed share OF Alfred's At.
tsntion. Bot Atherton stood little apart,
while talked uiib his eoGsiB, aud locked
cot indiaereptly upon the dancers 10 the
reoa beyond | saw my companions dark
eyes wander often 10 his handsome face, aud
wished, with all my heart, that he would
take himself of
'Good people, shall We not adjourn TO the
ssloou o said Rose May, the blue eyed
Neftherner, giily / csnDet keep still
with that deloIous music sounding In my
ears lo3g for = waltz
To which hope you will accept me for
Jour partner, sais Alfred gallantly, aud
leadiRg ber cat Of the music. room they wore
sson whirling around the ball
locked at Miss Brenton. She did not
seem to notice their departure, but her dark
eyes we're turned towards Aihcrton, who
still stood silent in browa study.
May l have the pleasu-of 1 falterod
with desperate effort
She started = bit her lip, aud thcn smiled
gracious assent, aud We left tho room.
That waltz What words can ever de-
scribe III Without vanity may say that
danced wsli-I bad spent time enough ia
ETAeIieibg 10 DO ss-and she-her molten
was perfect music 1 raw AthOrton come
cut IN the ball 20 watch Us She saw bin,
too, and her next wsliE was taken with him
But danced no more that uight After
having that petfeo, form And face so near
me, esuid not play the ngreeabls to the 90.
qusttish beauties who adorned the ball -
SO went cut on the piazza 10 company
With cigar, aud thought Of her ull bed
time came.