The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-07-08
WASHINGT0N,D.C'
For the National Era.
HERMAN 5a4.aai -.ro
-1.r-1e OR "a ga tg4 ss.s-e a ~
YOUNG, KEIGHrEooD.
BY e. FoxTOE,
Author Of" Premices.
CHAPTER EContinnea.

CHAPTER l-Contnueo
GOOD gracious" calculated the discoufse
Bobby, coloripg up to the tips pf his gloves.
"Ssrved her right Cor eves-dropping n
Joined Mr.. Jack Robinson, who was, Ike
mosquito, very venomous for one Of his size.
In the mean time, the supper'room was pour
ing up its tide into the drawing rooms agsin
ike reflex wave from the Sporting Horn
and few skirmishing waltzes were preludini
the last grand engagement. ......
"Jove, what a sumner
"a screamer! Who-is it?"
Neither pugilist nor town-crier, as these
enthusiastically, from the tone in which thel
were uttered, intended to be complimentary
though certainly little alarming if employed
TO characterize feminine attributes-would have
seemed to imply, was entering the room, but 9
superb girl of eighteen or nineteen, a. tall and
feet-looking, and almost as slender, As Diana's
spear, and just now, at least, looking almost a.
sharp and fatal. Her outline was a. oriental
as Rebecca's; and she seemed to breathe from
every feature an expression of indignant pride
which would not have misbecome that heroine
when she threatened to dash herself down from
the battlements. At her side moved slender
but very shspely youth, whose height, and age,
too, apparently, scarcely exceeded hers. BE
would have been, like her, uncommonly hand
some, but for the unnatural paleness which dis
colored bis fine, earnest, oval, olive face-a
paleness made the more conspicuous by the
bright backness of his moustache, and thick
fat curls, and the almost blackness of his burn
ing, brown eyes. They passed, speaking little,
and in tones too low to be heard above the
general cutlery of conversation about them.
He looked much at her she straight on, with
q gaze which seemed to pierce the very walls
and the future before her. When her lips un.
closed, he grew, if possible, whittier.
Il know who it must be Miss Constance
Aspenwall, of South Carolina. She was to be
here. They say she's worth four hundred thou
sand dollars, niggers and all"
"Put it up to million, while you're about
it, Bob. But, by George, what temper she
must have!"
"Don't want such a short partner, suppose"
said Mr. Bob Jones, unrolling; and drawing
if he had been tape measure, from the divan
on which he had been lounging. "Guess I
shall have to try my luck. If she's cross,
III
"Hallol Why, that's Herman Arden with
her! It's perfect tableau of Judith and
Holofernesl Do you know what he did the
other night?"
SCOT tight?" tt
at ,,,uuIo .r1uk so. He went and made q
nasty sneaking Abolition speech at caucus"
What got into him ?
"The deuce, suppose. / wonder he dares
show himself anywhere among genteel people.
He might have known Mrs. Mydass didn't want
him here, and only asked him because she
couldn't get along without her dear friends, J
his brother and sister. He must have some
brass to speak to Southerner after it, lady
especially"
HALO, Miss Blaise I'm not ready for you
vet. You know Miss Aspenwsll, don't you
Present me to her first, will your"
"Miss Aspenwall, Mr.. Jones. Mr.. Jones
Miss Aspenwall."
MAY have the pleasure ?" said Mr.. Jones
extending his arm.
al thank you, sir. l never waltz"
"Oh, then, you don't know how much yor
are losing One turn with me will whir
every scruple to the winds; and"-
"You will have the good less to excuse me
sir. Good evening"" She swept off to win
dow, but there she found herself followed still
by Herman. "What does this mean, Mr.. Ar
den?"
"Good heavens, Constancel what does
mean2 Do you know what you are doing
You know, you must know, how, what you ore
aud what you are ID me And that | offer 20
a heart not worthy of such q prize as yours
whose could be? But, if there is no tenderness
in yours to plead for it, l must say for myself,
true, fresh, loyal heart, at least, ready an
eager to serve you to the death, second only
the God who made you and TO love you, onl
dare not say, less than Him-but only to
we'll; and you trample it in the dust beneat
your feet, turn upon me, and cast me down
one stroke from the threshold of heaven to bel
and reject me; not, as you have full and III
questioned right to do, with womanly gent
ness and consideration, due both to your cha
ac:er and mine, but with scorn and insult, vii
no explanation. Is this worthy of you ?"
The color that the smothered vehemence
his low and hurried words had brought bat
into his face, and the sort of indignant tends
ness that glowed in it, made him perfec,
beautiful. Conslance's bosom heaved for
instant; for she was a girl, and not heartls
girl-but it was only for an instant for 9
was a naughty and resolute woman.
Perhaps it is not"
OF your rejection l do not claim right
ask an explanation"
Poor fellow If he had not been the M
delicate and generous of lovers, he might be
claimed all the right to ask it, that could
given him by all the tscit acceptance of
tacit wcoing, which most maidenly and r,
ring girl could grant.
Of the manner of it, do"
You shall have it."
when? l have pressed you far enou
already, for such place as this"
You have, indeedl"
"Oh, Miss Aspenwalll"
tomorrow morning, if you please, at b
past eleven"
Will you allow me to inquire for "
coach 2"
No, thank you. Mr.. Van Rooselandt
here"
CHAPTER III.
The Knights Lady,
daughter Of the gods divinely tal
Anu most dIvnely