New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-10-03

seen, th0ugn IN the beginning OF our acquaintance
had for for him feeling of distrust which amounted
amest to dislike. This may possibly have arisen
from the fact that, floating on the wings of rumor,
came vague story Of deserted wife, who, broken
hearted, sleeps in a self-sought grave in distant
State; but whether it had truth for its foundation
none knew, and none would have dared hint or ques
ton of him to whom it was attached. If retro.
spective glance ever wrapt his soul in gloom it hung
no cloud upon his brow if remorse ever gnawed its
ravages were not external, for more smooth and
smiling face and apparently more equable temper
is sel dom met with.
As matter of course in place so small the resi-.
dents were all known to each other and an arrival
was noted as subject of general interest," furnishing,
as it did, either new victim for the harpies to prey
on or else an antagonist in their own field.
After my sojourn at c. had been OF some
eighteen months DURATION there appeared in our
midst man who called himself Ross, and as he made
temporary stoppage at the miserable tavern it soon
became known that he was accompanied by bis wife.
Each person who by accident obtained glimpse at
her was Immediately filled with admiration at the
extraordinary character of her beauty, and, in &C.
cordance with the unconventional habits of the place.
several, when occasion permitted spoke to her. with
view Of opening an acquaintance, but were met
with sHch freezing reserve or scornful disdain as
made them shrink from second effort.
This somewhat singular conduct excited general
curiosity, Of which confess to have felt my share,
but when saw her the only wonder was that the
thought Of such an intrusion should ever have sug
gested itself to any one.
Such regal beauty as she possessed is seldom met
with even in the entire space Of lifetime. In the
oriental splendor Of her loneliness she looked Zeno
bia, but alas in chains Not saddened or downcast,
though, by misfortune, but hard, naughty and de
FAINT as though she stared fate In the face and dared
its worst.
Every movement Of her stately form, every pose of
her graceful limbs, even the flow of her dark plain
garments, had an unduating ease and yet classic
severity that repealed while it charmed and to per.
son of ordinary penetration no second glance was
needed at the fierce pressure of the crimson curves of
her lips and the eager fash of the dark lustrous
siont eye to know that all the past that lay behind
her was filled with hideous and hated remembrances
What lay in her future it came to me to know, and,
blasted as must have been the green boughs of her
glorious youth by some lightning stroke of fate, it
could not have been more appalling than what sue.
ceeded in her tragic life.
Standing one day with Perciyal on the steps Of the
glanced in at the door saw Mrs. Ross bonneted and
shawled as if for walk, coming down the wide hall.
Having become familiar with Percivals sybarite
tastes, felt curious to know how he would be affect
ed by the unexpected sight Of such remarkable
beauty, and fixed my observation on him, rather
than the lady.
He was leaning carelessly against the rough
pillar at the top of the steps, and did not see her
r1nttv had k1lft At
gallery then, look of wonder, of admiration and
Of respectful Difference, chased each other rapidly
across his face and he raised himself to an erect
position, he lifted his hat from his head until she had
gone by. As be turned to me with an inquiring
glance, said:
Mrs. Ross, of whom we have heard y -
He recovered himself while was speaking, and re-
piled carelessly, A somewhat unusual vision in this
place." and soon afterwards strolled away to his
business
From that day obierved he sought the acquant.
ance Of Ross, whom hitherto he had avoided, and
when few weeks after, Ross announced his nten
ton of residing permanently in our midst and car.
red it into execution by taking little house not far
removed from the business part of the village, and
fitting 1t up in such rude way, as the stores and
his apparently limited purse would permit, Percyal
commenced accompanying him home, and soon
became his constant visitor.
As q matter Of course, l knew there would be no
congenialty between the two men, and Just as ma.
turay the thought arose. that it was the society of
Mrs. Ross Perciyal sought.
Hany such desire prompted his course, he was too
circumspect to attract general observation and it
only at rare intervals that she was seen with her
hand resting in his arm, taking an evening stroll
through some of the sylvan groves that encrsached
upon the borders of the village, or else driving with
him in his quite elegant buggy, then and there an
article Of luxury but seldom found.
Chance threw no opportunity in my way of be,
coming acquainted with Mrs. Ross, though uncon.
sciously almost felt growing interest in her, and
often puzzled myself to interpret the expressions
fierce defiance and wstfal longing that seemed in
terrninged on her face tried to solve the feelings
that animated Perciyal towards Ross, and notwith
standing that each day saw them meet as boon com
panions; Notwithstanding that in the then uni