Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-04-15
which her maid one morning placed upon her

which her maid one morning placed upon her
dressing table =.
When Mrs. Irving and Eugenie were duly
Installed at Forester's Hall they discovered
the situation of which they had made choice
almost too dull. Although not far from the
village OF BOldre, few calls were made by the
residents, and the one or two families with
whom they formed an intimacy invariably de-
parted long before nightfall. The fact was the
Hall bore name Of i'll reputc, nor could
Eugenie once induce single individual, save
their own domestics, to tarry beyond a certain
hour beneath its roof Mrs. Irving felt much
chagrined; fain would she have relinquished
the dreaded abode had she not feared by so
doing she might incur the reproach of nourish-
ing superstition she was far from enter
tanning.
Mr. Russell was constant guest at the Hall
but his mother excused herself alleging ILL
health as plea for declining the repeated in
vitations given her by their new neighbour
Everard Russell was gentleman of great re-
hnement, and this, coupled with a profound
knowledge of men and manners, served to rem
der his presence almost essential to Mrs Ir-
wing, so that by degrees he assumed n COM
plete influence over her, and when dsinclined
to walk with Eugenie, she always resigned her
to his care. Nor did the young lady object to
this occasional transfer of companions, for
Everard was decidedly a noble looking man,
and one as well skilled in the art Of turning
delicate compliment as any courtier. Still,
greatly as she esteemed him, and gratified as
she felt Mt his attentions, Eugenia never con-
tenplated the probability of his becoming
other than friend, and she experienced
painful surprise when her aunt communicated
the intelligence that Everard had made pro-
posalS for her hand. The heart Of Miss Boyd
prompted her to put negative on his suit, but
Mrs Irving insisted on her accepting it, and
as Eugenia could really offer no serious obiec-
gha cd IN
yet still the remembrance of Harold haunted
each wakening hour.
While tossing one night to and fro upon her
restless couch, and thinking of the sudden and
unwished for change in her position, Eugenia
fancied she heard rustling sound as if caused
by the hutter of a silken garment, and looking
up she saw, by the faint CLEAN of her expiring
taper, standing between tho bed and window,
the figure of beautiful and stately woman at
tired in the dress of a bygone period. Miss
Boyd rubbed her eyes and looked again. The
figure still remained, and now she could clearly
define the fashioning of her apparel, even to
the identical sacque described BY the peasant
At this moment the light went out, there was a
noise ike to door being softly closed, then all
was still.
To say that Eugenia remained perfectly un-
awed, would be altogether Incorrect Strong
minded as she was, she felt appalled, by that
cOuntenance of immobility, so lovely, yet in
VAPooeiOh 80 uesPdiIinS. II Was lODg ere
slumber sealed the troubled eyelids Of Miss
Boyd, and when she again awoke the bright
beams of the noon tide sun streamed through
her partially opened shutters.
Making a hurried toilet, Eugenia descended
to the breakfast parlor, when Mrs Irving put
ting on her spectacles, exclaimed "Gracious,
child, how pale you are let me send for medi-
cal advice you are surely ILL
Not so, dear aunt" replied Eugenia. Il
am sufficiently well not to disappoint Everard
of his ride. lie is to be here at one O'Clock"
''lt wants only quarter of an hour to that
time, observed the old lady; $50 you must use
dispatch, for Mr.. Russell likes punctuality''
Scarcely had she spoken when the gentleman
was announced
cam too early?' he asked, tcnderly tax
ing Eugenie's hand and gazing fondIy into her
face.
She knew not why, but a shudder passed
through her frame, and she shrunk with ILL
concealed aversion from his touch.
What does this mean" asked Everard an
grily. II thought L was to have the honor of
being your escort this morning, but it seems
my presence is distastefuIn
You really must excuse me" replied Euge-
ME. II feelquite unable to 90 out, and wish
ut once to return to my chamber"
''Your lightest wish, Miss Boyd, to me- is
law, he returned, nor will L press the present
fulfllment Of your promise; still, on future
occasion, trust / may not be treated with
such mortifying coldness'
Believe, me, said Eugenie, II am truly
indisposed; but some future day 1 will strive
to make amends for my present conduct" And
bowling to him with forced smile, she retired
lro BB CoNrISUED.l