True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-07-01
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STEUBENVILLE, OHIO, WEDNESDAY, JULY |, 1851

mice, Of whom she had many, were
wont to say, what Gabolioal beauty
None over whom she threw the spell OF
her influence ever escaped her-though
in agony Of penetence or remorse they
cursed, they followed her.
She had noted the flirting and sup
pressed smile with which Claudia had
witnessed her descent from the carriage.
From that inst ant she hated her, and the
object for which she had consented to
come to Morland Farm had been more
firmly decided upon, as means, al least,
of revenge. A mocking light glittcred in
her dark, brilliant eyes as their glances
followed Claudia from the room, and
when she had carefully secured the door,
and listened to the tread of her light foot
steps along the corridor and down the
staircase, she allowed derisive laugh to
burst from her lips. Leaning her head
upon the mantle reminded her that it was
time to prepare for dinner. Then she
rose murmuring, "Yes, yes, that will do
admirably, though l wish lie were not so
stiff and priggish, and were shade more
presentable," and with the same derisive
smile upon her features, she rapidly but
skilfully performed the duties Of her toll
| ct.
When Miss Kenyon entered the par
lor, where the guests were assembled
awaiting the summons to dinner, she hail
never appeared more radiantly beautiful
At dinner, when she was seated beside
her host. she delighted him with a display
of graceful wit. that while it charmed,
compelled him to pause more than once
in wonder, and aroused slight morIiica.
ton as he detected the rust that had
gathered upon his own colloquial powers.
Perhaps Miss Kenyon read this latter
feeling, for she adroilly led the conversa-
tion to topics connected with his favorite
pursuits, where the disadvantage was
soon lost On these, as on all subjects,
she conyersed well and auently; adopting
the nomenclature so well, and using her
knowledge TO such good advantage, that
the sup' rfcial nature Of her requirements
was not easily detected. Every one was
charmed with Miss Kenyon, and those Of
the guests who bad met her before, took
blame to themselves for previous i'll judg.
Iments, and decided that she had never
appeared so well, or so truly womanly as
in The narrow circle of this country home.
| In truth. she exerted all her facinations
on that first evening She well knew how
important are first impressions. and she
made them, strong and deep, as she con-
fversed with all, by turns grave or gay,
/. witty or with soft. half EXPRESSED sad
ness Of tone and mien. But when she
was again in her chamber the mocking
smile returned 10 her face. Standing be.
fore her mirror, clad in her long, white
dressing. gown, her face looked ghastly
pale. She lilied the heavy masses ol
black hair tom her temples, and bound
them back SO closely as to leave The
broad brown exposed. Then she bent
forward, and by the strong light of the
wax candles that burned in the brackets
on each side the old.fashioned toilet. she
traced in the clear merror the lines oil
thought, and care, and passion which in
| that hour Of self!abandohment, seemed 10
make Elizabeth Kenyon ten years older
than she had appeared but an hour before,
when surrounded by charmed circle ol
listeners in the parlor. I" H'a ''''@"
T When she had gazed time, she
brought her desk and taking out meterlals
sat down to write. There was fixed
and painful expression upon her face that
. told Of decision made, Of a will strong
enough to triumph over feeling, and TO
trample even upon her own heart. The
letter she wrote was long, and need not
all be giyenahere. But one paragraph
more Immediately elucilates her purpose,
and may claim a place; IN,
! 1"Of course, dear Harry she wrote
"you attach no meaning to, my jes,ing
words The night we parted, II even you
were in an earnest mood. which have
SO little vanity as 10 doubt, YOU shoult
have known that Elizabeth Cenyoini Was Va
no wife for you. Neither Of us could dc
more foolish thing than to speak such
words IN earnest and 10 prove ID Won
T What nv (eelings ,ealIfyl are I Vii nov
disclose the object which bIrroongilft ne L