The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-02-25
so happy, Notwithstanding you are so

so happy, notwithstanding you are 80
busy"
Notwithstanding I" interrupted Irv-
ing. Because Pm so busy, you might
say, and come nearer the truth. Take
my adyice-go to work yourself, and I'll
wager you'll be no more troubled with
the blues than | am"
"The remedy is worse than the dis
ease" said Meredith. "Why should |
care to make money! You know very
well that my poor Theresa left me more
than | know what to do with. | am
much obliged for your prescription, but
must decline following it,"
"Well, | won't get offended like most
friends, if you won't take my advice but
I'll prescribe again. This is Mrs. Bige-
lows reception evening; go with me
there and I'll promise you release from
your blue tormentors for one evening at
least"
"A party !" exclaimed Louis, shrug-
ging his shoulders chats worse and
worse"
at isn't like the ordinary party" per-
sisted his friend, "where you go to be
stifed in crowd and cram yourself with
delicacies; it is an unceremOnious as
semblage of agreeable people, drawn to-
| gether by desire to meet each other in
part, but must confess the most power
ful magnet is Bigelows niece, the lowell
est creature you ever beheld.'
"A belle !" sneered Meredith q de-
test the whole tribe of empty headed CO.
quetts."
"It's plain you havn't seen the belle
of Montford,' rejoined Irving. you've
read Blanca hayn't you -
"Yes, have, and it is surely glor-
ions work"
well, our belle wrote that"
Indced!" said Meredith, with start
and look of animation that made his
fine but impasSive features doubly beau
tiful; then reIapsing into his old manner
he said, a blue From all ink-be-
daubcd danes may be delivered 70
+" | see you are determined not to be
pleased with anything" said his compan-
ion; but I'll defy You to resist our
belle and blue if you but see her. VIII
you 90 to the party or not say yes or
no, Louis, for must dismiss you rather
mcerimoniouSly. as | have business en-
gagement at four, and it lacks only a
quarter of that hour"
Z" Yes, then yawned Louis, as he
slowly Sauntered eff.
Mrs. Bigelow's splendid parlors were
a blaze of light as the Two gentlemen en-
tered that eyining, and paid their re-
spectS to their Hostess. At a little dist
ance from her stood a young and queenly
looking girl, talking gaily with knot of
gentlemen she was richly attlred, and
her robe of rose-colorcd silk contrastcd
well with her clear olive complexion
She did not observe the new comers till
they had joined the group around her;
then, with easy elegance, she welcomed
Mr.. Irving, and bowed with much grace
to Mr.. Meredith on his introduction to
Miss Lancaster For once Louis Mere
dith was startled out of his usual apathy.
Beatrice trembled on his lips, for it was
she, more lovely if possible, than when
he had seen her five years before. Could
it be that she was the author of that
wonderful book that had thrilled the
hearts of nation He could hardly
believe The evidence of his own senses,
and bcwildered by his emotion, he stood
speechless for few moments, then re-
covering himself, he was again the polish
ed man of the world. Beatrice, neither
by word or look, betrayed her recollec-
ton of him. and he did not venture to re-
call the past. She treated him with easy
politeness, and he half vexed at the pow
er she had over him, yet unable to resist
her fascinations, was as constant an at
tendant upon her as her shadow during
the whole evening. His friend rallied
him on his surrender to the belle and blue,
and Lewis said but little in reply; but
from that time he was constant visitor
at Mrs. Bigelow's, where Beatrice, since
the death of her mother, had resided
With Mrs. Bigelow he soon became a
IutUTItt. Dul DtutilIt, S'uNiVuNiy
polite, was equally cold; yet notwith-
standing all her codness, Louis was more
madly in love with her than ever. Week
after week he fingered in Montford, and
at every opportunity he was by her side.
She appeared utterly unconscious of his
devotion, and by her manner cffectually
prevented bis uttering any expression of
affection. He longed to, yet dared not
learn his fate, and in alternations of hope
and fear, passed his time. At last he
could not bear it any longer; he resolved
to know the worst, and went one after
noon to see her, with the determination
TO offer his hand and heart Fortune
favored him; she was alone in the lib
rary, and he was shown there at once
She was sitting with her head a little turn
ed aside as he entered, but he saw the
blood rush TO her cheek and her eyes
spf =. as she half started forward TO