The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-12-18

waves over her hat down to the finely
formed shoulder. Her black eyes were
too intensely bright to be becutiful-her
cheeks were crinlsoned with exercise.---
Her brow seemed of dazzling whiteness,
and sat she on her cream colored horse
with grace, yet statelness. Lady Bea-
trice, Sir Henry, and several couples,
strangers to me followed, the two former
taking the lead of the whole party, as
they passed the gates. They recognized
me, all but the guest, and bowed There
was triumph in Lady Paulson's eyes,
that | had seen at other aud unusual
times.
The house seemed changed from its
cold stately magniicence. The miracles
of statuary of the purcst marble, stood
serenity white in the CLEAN that filled the
great parlors. The richly gilded cor
nices glittered, the lounges of sat in, and
wrought velvets took deeper coloring
from the suns rays, as they strcymed
through curtains Of costly lace over a
a carpet ofcomminglel and gorgeous dyes.
All over the house the difference was
quite as perceptible. The magnificent
grand piano was covered with music,
whose leaves were embcllishcd with en-
cravings and paintings. A pre- tty little
glove, rounded toH lady's hand, laid
near the lampenat took it up. How
dclicately white it was !--most surely
an aristocratic and high-born glove!
After that, l saw very little of Niles
Henry, by himself. The Lady Frances
appeared to absorb his attention COM
pletely. He walked, rode, sung, drove
with her, and was | think, for the time,
really fascinated by her regal beauty
There were balls, levees, and excursions
by water, all the time in progress
Bands Of music we're engaged by Sir
Henry to play in the park for hours
There were moonlight fetes, forest sup
pers, Illuminated soirccs in fact it was
all a gay time.
In the midst of these exciting festivi-
ties came a letter, directed to me, sealed
with black. | knew, before | opened it,
that my sister was dead but ! was not
prepared to hear that she was already
Inferred. My poor niece wrote that they
were obliged to bury her on the same day
of her death. She herself was now alone
and heart broken, looking to me for con-
ISOLATION, for care.
In my sudden sorrow, | went imme-
diately 10 Lady Beatrice. She was then
closetod with her drcssing-maid, and
trying on a beautiful lace robe, which
had been ordered for a coming festival.
Seeing the letter in my hand, she sent
the girl away, and listened kindly to
what told her.
" Is the young person cultivated -
asked my lady, somewhat interested.
81 presume she is" was my reply.-
Her father was man of means till Just
before his death, and MY niece has, /
believe, Il liberal education %
She thought moment.
o, no." she said, g shall have no
objection to the young PERSONS staying
with you until you can get her some stu
alton. OF course she will coniine her.
self to your part of the house, and take
her meals with the housekcepcr and
yourself. Certainly, | shall be very hap
py to oblige YOU" she said graciously.
| thanked her my heart was full of
gratitude !; and in less than week Alice
sat by my side sewing.
As time wore on got very proud of
her She looked so lovely as she told
me the stories of her childhood. Her
father had been professor of music,
very successful, but extravaganza
Hence he had not left his family rich,
though some money was realized from
the sale of his estate. | did wish some.
times that the fortune of lice was equal
to her beauty. When she laid aside her
deep mourning, took several of my
finest and most expensive dresses and
made them for her. | never cared for
any one to see her but myself. Size fill
cd my room with acknowledgements back
to Inc my own lost youth, | exulted in
the thought that something belonging to
me was us beautiful us even the flesh and
blood of Lady Beatrice Paulson and Of
ten l would throw back those masses of
shining rlnglets, and look into the dreamy
DiuS ~ No Will chuitdht thoughts
W hen | sat with my lady now-whieh
was not as often as before Lady Frances
came-Alice remained in my room, sew
ing, embroidcring, or writing. TO her
belonged the sometimes fatal Gift of
genius. She told me that she improvis-
ed music, to the astonishmcnt and admi-
ration Of grave professors in her own
land ; told me, with child-like simpli-
city that betrayed no merely vain cstima-
ton of her own powers, when the inspira-
ton was on her, she wrote with marvel
Gus rapidity; and | already had casket
stored with her beautiful poems. o!
how | wished Lady Beatrice could see,
and rightly estimate the value of these
gems Alice was very happy with me,
though she mourncd her mothers death.
How the color would trcmble up her
cheek and the light flash in her eyes
when the tones of the piano were family
heard in our remoter parts of the house,
or if the martial music sounded
For some weeks, Lady Beatrice in
quired after that young person." but
gradually she ceased to mention hcr.-l
think, as she had never CHANGED to see
her, she came to forget that she was I'M
der the same roof. What was the pen
niless niece of her companion to her .
| in tho plorn emit oil to how ,o,n,,,I;,L