St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-07-28

/ Tue room beyond, where, through inc
open folding doors, she could watch
the group chatting over the music
which they were examining. Never
had she seen SO striking face as that
of this Norwood. a grand forehead,
almost too massive for beauty deep,
blue eyes, that shone with a constant
ly varying expression mouth at
once sensitive and firm: the whole
face impressed her with the idea of
great strength of purpose, of mind
willing and working something be-
yond the dull routine of life.
al will not look at him." she said
to herself, at last, with sudden sharp
consciousness that she had DO right
to do so, and turning to Mr.. Stuart,
she began to eulogize the scenery
about the lake.
Presently she was conscious of an
approaching step, and Clara's silvery
voice repeated,
"Mr Norwood, Miss Hueston."
She looked up and received "a glance
at once piercing and friendly, from
the blue eyes she had been watching
the past half hour For the first time
during the evening she was at a loss
for words, but not long, for Mr. Nor
wood, passing at once to themes fami-
liar and full of interest, melted away
very speedily the chill of her reserve,
and before she was conscious OF 1T,
she was talking to him with all her
al hnl tn
who possessed in such a degree the
rare power of calling forth the best
and happicst faculties of another's
mind She felt a glow of power, a
consciousness of what she might be,
which thrilled while it startled her.
She had forgotten her usual cold self
for two whole hours, when Clara,
coming with the request that she
would sing, brought her back from
the quicker tide of life. She refused
to sing. The sudden fall Of her spir-
its incapacitated her for music: but
she quickly left the room and glidcd
silently to her own chamber.
She had hardly composed her
! thoughts before Clara entered and sat
down beside her.
How brilliant you have been this
evening :" she began. eff | were
not so glad to see you happy, | should
be jealous of you. And so my dream
will be fultiled-you do like Norwood =
DO not speak Of him ~ cried
Blanche, passiouatcly, al have only
forgotten myself an hour. l thought
that this last year had been one of sui-
ticient schooling, but find it has not :;
still retain the old weakness of ad-
miring too ardently the gifted and
eloquent"
HE is worthy your admiration"
whispered Clara.
"Why, since you admire him SO,
have you not given him your own
heart !" rctortcd Blanche.
/" 1t is already safe in the keeping
of Willis Cameron" murmurcd Clara,
with mantling cheek and Blanche,
moved by her friends righteousness
threw her arms about her and kissed
her rosy cheek.
Happy Clara !" she said. "Free
u IoNt "uoin you CnboSe, anu W lildhe
your happiness for life !"
81 dare to hope that shall yet see
you as happy as myself" responded
Clara.
THAT is impossible" was the
gloomy reply,
A ride on horseback was the order
for the next mornings amusement,
but Blanch refused to be of the com
pany, unless Clara would so arrange
it that Mr.. Cameron should be her es-
cort. Clara, though much against
her will, yielded to the obstinate de-
mand, and Norwood, consequently,
was obliged to be her own gallant.
But fate was against Blanche's pur-
pose. At beautiful grove about
three miles distant they dismounted,
and as if by magic sumptuous break
fast was seen ready spread beneath
the overhanging naples. 1t was glee
fully partaken of by the merry com
pany, and stroll to a romantic spot
half mile beyond, proposed. The,
all set out gayly together, but in ;
few moments Blanche found hcrscl
| walking by Norwood's side. All the
f morning she had met the frequent
glances of his penetrating eyes, and
now it was impossible to resist the
modest, but earnest request that she
would share the walk with him. They
straycd along slowly, and their con
versation reverted to the themes o
the previous evening, to art, to tn,
great movements and purposes o
life. Her heart throbbcd with cage
sympathy, while he told her, half play
fully, the story of his own endeavors
1t was the tale of hope grounded il
genius and kept burning by strength
l of will alone, for fate and fortune hac
not been on his side.
r The morning passed like dream
; and when she was again Galloplng
: homeward by the side of Cameron
she was silent and distracted " hai
: did this sudden trcmor and glow o
. feeling mean, when she CHANGED tt
f talk an hour with this enthusiastic
stranger Had Blanche been the fire,
3 and careless girl of two years before
| she would have troubled her mint
5 with no such questions but nov
, watchfnl and jealous of herself, sh
r questioned and repulsed every neS
4 thrill of happiness.
A Three weeks passed like enchant
= mcnt, the widest, and, but for tn
), dark shadow of the future, the hal
t piest of all her life. One evening tn
Il whole party were going to sail on th
h lake, but Blanche, who had been /,
:. hecting and schooling herself for
l. few hours, declined going at the las
moment. 1t was too late to urge hel
a and calling her strangely pervers,
l. Clara went off with her troop Of con
o panions.
If Blanche, however, had meant
5 punish herself with solitude, she wa
4 disappointed, for she had not been te
T. minutes alone before Norwood cntere
the room.