Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-06-24

ceath so soon parted the young and gifte
couple, how loud a lamentation would
have created! The judge did it, and soc
ETY. saved its sympathy, regarding it as a
very comforta ble--the most agreeable thin
under the circumstances.
Annie Clyde-for her brother-in-law
with kind of congratulatng smile, ac
dressed her by that name the very momen
he could hurry home after the decision
passed one night of misery so intense, ths
next morning she almost expected to Sc
in her mirror her hair turned gray.
seemed as though her very sight nigh
have washed away, in the torrent of tear
she had shed over her disappoin:m he
desolation. Then carefully locking he
sensibilities from other eyes, she may hav
appeared happier for release from the tie
which had SO briefly bound her.
Herself and Arthur could not alway
avoid meeting as months went by. On,
evening, at an entertainment which sh,
attended along with her sister and he
husband, Annie found herself suddenly
thrilled by tones of voice she once hat
not dreamed could ever be less than music
to her ears. She had not known of Mr.
Maybary's presence sooner; but determin
ed on preserving not merely an externa
composure, but an impenetrable indiffer
ence also, she continued where she was
admiriDg Towering moss-rose from the
conservatory, which had brought her te
the spot.
Arthur was attempting to sustain him.
self in bantering conversation respecting
the style of wearing the beard. His chal
lenger was schoo-day acquaintance, al
belt never esteemed prize in that way
who, having been abroad for some years
only re-entering port that day, was no,
familiar with Arthur's history during the
interval.
" Pom honor, now, my dear fellow" said
the traveller, affecting Partisan swell
"thls Disgusting yourself from an old friend
with mask of hair, is what | call ah--
Objectionable. very-quite ungenerous.-
Besides, | do assure you, you are out of the
mode"
Arthur was looking away, not appearing
to share any deep feeling on the subject,
and the other went on.
"The imperial" said he, care ssing his
own with the ing-fnger, sis decidedly all
the 60 in all the-ah-principal-- may
say, fashionable cities. The Marchioness
i'Avona Fascinating creatureD declared in
my presence-speaking of another individ-
lal, you know-that gentleman was un-
finished without ali imperial. Non .fnit-
hose were her words. Why, faith. to
wear the entire beard is awfully hideous.
can invent no excuse for you, my dear
Maybury, except it be that in your profess
sion you are afraid to trust yourself among
he fair ones without this muzzle-ha, ha,
Ia, hal"
"Do you know" said Arthur answering
lim according to his folly, "the way in
which all the various styles of mutilated
'eards came into vogue!"
Pom my honor, no. How?"
"Another Beau Brummell," said Arthur,
'of date when the beard was universally
worn as nature designed it, conceived the
project of astonishing the nation by ap-
bearing shaTen. He repaired to barber's,
accordingly; but the latter, knowing his
nan, before his .ask was fully comp leted
aid down the razor and demanded his fee.
rhe fashionable had not a sous in his
pocket, having parted with the last for
glass of brandy as he came to the shop.
he promised, out promises were not cur
'eLt there; he raved, he implored, but the
operator was inexorable. No pay, no more
work. Mad with the humiliation it involved,
he acknowledged leader of the ton went
orth never SO barefaced, save patch on
lis lower lip. What then! Why the
whole retnue of apes aped him. and he
oon found that short funds had helped him
o make the hit of lifetime. Now, to me,
,alf shaving is always more suggestive of
in small coin, than of making
mes self agreeable to the gentler sex;
nd confess that my finances must be im-
proved before | shall think of changing my
present hideous CUSTOM"
"An, truly the exquisite rejoined, 81
perceive how it is. You do not believe in
he--ah-prediliction which the fair ladies
lave for the imperial. Come now, let us
'efer the case. Here is Miss Clyde-a
beautiful creature" he whispered in Ar
hur's ear, perfectly beautiful. | obtain
I'd an Introduction the very first moment;"
he might have added that she openly rid
herself of him the moment after.) "She
shall be our-ah-umpire. You have heard
Dur discussion, Miss Clyde; pray put me
Under the exceeding obligation of hearing
your opinion respecting imperials."
AS he spoke, with his arm through that
Of Arthur, he wheeled the latter by move
ment which brought him face to face with
Annie.
81 think, sir, the imperial may be pecu-
liarly suited to your style of beauty" the
lady replied, with smile and air SO mark
edly bland. that even the conceited ques-
TONER saw beneath them irony and con-
tempt, and changed his theme and place
abruptly.
The next moment Annie's sister drew
her from the room for air, with face white
as snow-wreath. 1t was a momentary
faintness, she said, from standing there SO
long in the perfume of the flowers. 1t was
quite over now; and she hastened back, as
though fearful that some one else should
note the vacillation.
Re-entering the festal scene, her eye in
voluntarily sought around till it fell upon
Arthur. He was in another part of the
room, addressing with the grace for which
he was eminent beautiful young lady, the