The Shasta courier., 1858-03-20

Come, Charley, want TO introduce you to
that charming Boston novelty, Miss Howe. She
has Just come in, and want her to form as ia
vorable impression possible of our New
York beaux Have your permission; Miss Cliff
ford p
%, by all meansp said Cora, smiling her
brightest smiles, as she caught the quick, hur-
ried glances which passed between them, u put
him entirely under your charge, Mr.. Ainslie.-
Pray Captain St. Aulyn, clasp this bracel,
and the two gentlemen walked away, she
held up her round white to the fascinating
Captain, who had been leaning against the wall
in disconsoate manner. He came eagerly for
ward to perform the service. and thrill passed
through every nerve in his body as he touched
the blue veined wrist. Cora spoke so cordially
to him that he plucked the courage to ask her if
she was engaged for the next dance She was
not, and in haf-an-hour Capt st. Aulyn was in
such a state of delighted bewilderment that he
didn't know whether the lovely creature hang
ing on his human mortal in gold
colored silk, or gloriied cloud of mist and sun
shine-he was only conscious of pair of mag
niicent violet eyes shining on him through long
dropping lashes. All Captain, beware I! women
are proverbially deceitful, and you've walked
into the snare with your eyes wide open
Miss Howe was a sallow, dark-eyed girl, with
a soupeda of rogue on her elisecheek, and
bold, fippant way--and Charley heartily wished
| himself back by Cora's side but Dick looked
SO provokingly calm and incredulous that he
talked with her just to prove that he was free
agent
Miss Howe wished to visit the Dusseldorf, and
Charley ostentatiously invited her to accompany
him thther the next morning. Ainslie slightly
elevated his eyebrows, and Charley begged
leave to take her to hear Frezzolino next even
ing OF course she acceded to all these propo-
/ ha1 f,in tbo Of
the ball, that he had been going it rather fast
but Coras perfectly natural manner as they rode
home together, reassured him She was in
charming spirits-'never enjoyed herself better
so Warren concluded that he was entirely
safe.
The whole of the next day was inundated at
the shrine of Miss Howe, hy the faithless cava-
lier he had not intended it, and felt decidedly
guilty, but under the circumstances it could not
be helped. Not until the day after did he see
Cora. Then Sinking up the steps of her resi-
dence, he inquired for Miss Clifford. She was
at nome, and he found her reclining ON sofa
deeply absorbed in reading.
Just as lovely as dream! Talk about your
6lase high-featured Miss Howell What faint
rosy shadow there was on the bright lips-what
blue transparent light in the liquid eyes He
felt as if he could have knet down to worship
her glorious beauty, as he came forward to claim
a smile
Good Jupiter how coolly she extended her
little jeweled hand, without raising her eyes
from the book.
There, sit Gown, Charley, till I've finished the
chapter. Such a love of book-Lamartine-
you know-his sweet "reminiscences. Wait, and
don't disturb nle-theres good fellow
Charley sat down completely confounded
Il don't approve of Lamartine, he comment
ed. 'Pray where did You get the book p
in AMI LIANT ~ NJ l,,sl,
Charley
Charley fdgeted on his chair.
sWhat have you been doing to your hair Co.
ra It's all twisted back, isn't it mot becom-
ing, should say
oh, dressed it so to please Captain St. Au-
lyn.'
Has he been here this morning? queried the
lover, with gathering frown.
Yes, and he says look exactly like the En-
press Eugenie. had Fanny to dress it exactly
to his taste, Ia Parisienne. Oh, he's SO anu
singr
'Ahem but don't like the style at ALL
Don't you? Well, do keep still, and give me
a chance to read moment
Charley relapsed into gloomy silence. but
his brow dark and overcast. What busi-
ness had St. Aulyn debating to has affianced
wife. He would like to kick st. Auyn down
stairsl
ring at the door bell, and whisper from
Fanny in her mistress ear Up started Cora
my bonnet and MANTLE Fanny-quick! There
-fasten the collar-and now my parasol Char
ley, you'll excuse me, know; but previous
engagement-Captain st. Aulyn.'
But, Cora
'Au reuor p and before he could speak fur
ther the little beauty had fitted down stairs
with a parting wave of the hand Warren
folded his arms tightly across his breast, and
walking grimly to the window. had the salts
faction of seeing Cora seated beside the smiling
ST. Aulyn, in his dashing turnout, and of wit
Messing their triumphant departure.
Poor Charley he turned pale and rel with
angry emotion. Never had Cora treated him so
before never had she evinced the least ten
dency to coquetry, and he knew not what
course to pursue. If he had not felt 90 utterly
wretched, he would have proceeded straight to
Miss Howe; but he was too far gone for that,
and he bowed his head upon his hands in bitter
reflection. What could it mean? He would
horsewhip st. Aulyn-he would-no, he would
Mt either; for hadn't he just been playing ex-
actly the same game with Miss Howe? O. con-
science, what remorseless accuser thou arti
That evening he sent an excuse to Miss Howe,
whom he had volunteered TO take to Wallacks,
and turned his footsteps again towards the resi-
dence of his fancee. Fanny in the hall,
chatting with John, the huge footman.
MISS Oord WIS gone 10 tne opera with capt.
St. Aulyn.
The maid delivered this speech with half
suppressed litter. Warren colored Indignantly.
/ i will come in and wait, he said, firmly.
Fanny showed him into the drawing-room.- =
Lamartine was lying on the table, with all the
love passages marked in the Captains hand
/ writing. The reader may imagine what kind of
an evening Warren passed.
Towards midnight the captains voice was
heard, bidding Miss Clifford good nightr and
promising to call early tomorrow morning :
and the next moment the little coquette tripped
in, all lace and plumes and jewels. But what a
pale, haggard face met her glance. Spite of her
self, she started back.
Why, Charleyr
Cora, said Warren, 'have pity upon me-
What have done to merit this conduct?
Good gracious, Charley, don't know what
you meant
This strange indifference to my feelings
this deliberate coquetting with that scoundrel,
St. Auiyn. Cora, must have some explara-
tionr
} Cora sat down on the sofa by his side; and
placed her lily hand on his trembling arm.
Charley, dear, don't be SO ferocous All I
want is, to have you understand that am tied
to no mans dickey- -string-that 1 am free
agent, and shall fiirt just as much as please
Every drop of blood in Charley's system
: seemed to have concentrated in his burning face.
He recognized his own foolish boast
sIt's a mistaken idea con tinued the unp,erc;