Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1857-01-16
ROCKVILLE FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY is, 1867.

anu cuI talHeu ny long raven laSneS, Wnlcn
gave them a soft dreamy expression;
while the rich black hair and golden
warmth of her Southern complexion fur
nished striking resemblance to the IA
vorite portrait of immortal Titan.
The captain could not remove his gaze
from the unique visage before him.
Had he seen that face somewhere in his
wanderings in Italy or the sunny Orient?
He thought so F.; but misty memory, re-
volving the vague shadows of the past,
could fix on no definite time or place for
identity, and he discarded the illusion as
the image of dream.
Presently she raised her dark eyes,
and slightly starting, most closely scru-
t'nized his countenanoe in her turn, with
signs of strange emotion, and then, faint
ly blushing, withdrew her glance and
soon returned to the parlor But Capt.
Thomas sought in vain to Danish from
his mind that one look, luminous as
lightning which had flashed through his
brain when their eyes met. appeared
like both recognition from the past and
a revelation of the future and yet he
could not imagine what was the charm
that so wonderfully moved him. 1t
could not be love, or even admiration,
for he had often beheld more beautiful
features without so much as an addition
al heart throb, but none had ever inspired
him with such deep interest and so earn
est desire for an introduction.
Led by this sudden and uuace Japtable
impulse, he seated himself near tho fold
ing doors at the entrance to the ladies'
cabin, and covering his curiosity under
the pretence of reading some book, he
watched the fair unknown with stealthy
glances. He perceived that while others
were laughing, chattering and making
new acquaintance, she remained absorbed
in sad reflection. No one addressed her,
and, as he thought, many eyes glanced
at her with looks of undisguised scorn
and contempt. U1
Nor was he mistaken in this involun-
tary conjecture; for as she not only
travelled without an escort or compan.
ion, but had come on board alone Just as
the steamer was about to start, the elttc
of the female passengers set her down
at once as doubtful character to be stu
diously Stunned, or insulted if she dis
Played the least presumption of claim
to courtesy or equality. She observed
the general state of offensive feeling, and
it seemed to irritatc as well as pain her
However, an opportunity soon pre-
sented itself for an ample and most JUS
tifable revenge. Several ladies in sue
cession took their place at the piano, but
not one of them did much credit to them
selves as artists. After they had finished
their grating discords, the dark eyed girl
assumed the vacant seat and performed
without an apparent effort, wild, be-
wildering and difficult air, with such con-
sumate success as TO astonish and enrap-
ture every unparalleled auditor.
She then began another Of greater
simplicity and the most tender pathos
and at the same time sung the words
touching requiem for the dead-with
such effect as to draw tears like rain
drops from score Of eyes. Her voice
at once loud, clear, and inexpressibly
sweet, fingered on the ear, and wandered
at will through all the flying notes in tho
scale of harmony, as if nightingale hat
been imprisoned in her silvery throat, Oh
a viewless seraph lowered IN her lips
Politicians, merchants, and even wills
kered gamblers, bounded from thei
chairs and swarmed towards the door o
the drawingroom, entranccd by the mag
ical melody.
| But the brows Of the scornful females
around her only grew the blacker will
envy and modification, and one of then
urged her lover to insult the girl by al
impertinent question. Accordingly tn,
! gentleman, who boosted, beside hi
guady dress, suit of fiery red hair
advanced and said with a meek obei
! sance--
May | be permitted to inquire
Miss, if you are professional singer 2
J Her dark eyes flashed lightning as sh,
surveyed the insolent form in contem
plated silence, and at the same momen
every spectator could perceive that sh,
was transcendantly beautiful.
II suppose" continued the red head
ed monster, ''that you must be a pro
fessional singer, or strolling artistic O
some sort, and therefore thought TO rails,
a collection for your benefit, as that kinc
Of creatures will do anything for money.
And he burst into derisive laugh, il
which his female friend joined him.
The lips Of the girl turned MORTAL,
pale and trembled with agitation.
crimson light shot from her burning blacl
eyes, as she exclaimed in tones Of con
centrated shame and bitterness
els it the fashion on the boat to nsul
ladies' who chance to travel without pro
tection2 had fancied that no gentle
man would offer or permit any such i'm
pertinence"
4 ~ intended no onense," the rec
headed ruffian began to apologize; Blu
at the same instant a finger tapped hii
shoulder and a strange voice Missed in hi
car
LET me sec you on the hurricane
deck"
He turned and met the piercing grey
eyes Of Captain Thomas, and bowed d
naughty acquicscence As the two left
the cabin, several bystanders whispered
to the stranger
t" For your life have no difficulty with
that man it is George Rayburn, Of Ar.
kansas--thc most fearful dueilist in the
!