Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-04-01


presence My gentle knock not being ar
parently heard, stepped into the ante
room, set down my umbrella, took Oft m
drenched overcoat, arranged my hair in tn
most graceful manner, and claiming PRIV
iege to which, perhaps l had no legitimat
right, opened the door of the family sitting
room, and found myself in the presence 9
the beautiful Theresa"
i Here Uncle Ned made provoking
pause.
Pray, go on y" how was she dressed !!
:" And was she glad TO see you?" assaile'
him on every side.
How was she dressed 2" repeated he
" am not very well skilled in the technic
alities of ladys wardrobe, but | can Civ
yousshe general impression of her person
al appearance. In the first place, Their
was jumping up, and an of-hand sliding
step towards an opposite door, as entered
but disobliging chair was in the way, and
was making my lowest bow before she fount
an opportunity of disappearing. Confused
and mortified, she scarcely returned my
salutation, while Mrs. Vane offered me &
chair, and expressed in somewhat dubious
terms, their qualification at such an unex-
pected pleasure. | have no doubt Theresa
wished me at the bottom of the Frozen
Ocean, if / might judge, by the freezing
glances she shot at me through her long
lashes. She sat uneasily in her chair, try
ing to conceal her slipshod shoes, and fur
lively arranging her dress about the shoul-
ders and waist. 1t was most rebelious
subject, for the body and skirt we're at open
warfare, refusing to have any communion
with each other Where was the graceful
shape | had so much admired ? In vain
| sought its exquisite outlines in the folds
Of that loose, slovenly robe. Where were
those glistening ringlets and FURNISHED locks
that had so lately rivalled the tresses of
Medusa? Her hair was put up in tangled
punches behind her ears. and tucked up
behind in kind Of Gordian knot, which
would have required the sword of an AL
exander to unite. Her frock was soiled
and dingy silk, with trimmings of sallow
blonde, and faded fancy handkerchief was
thrown over one shoulder.
- You have caught me completely en-
deShGbiUe,' said she, recovering partially
from her embarrassment but the eve
ming was so rainy, and no one but mother
and myself, | never dreamed Of such an
exhibition of gallantry as this. Z" She could
not disguise her vexation, with all her eff
forts to conceal it and Mrs. Vane evident
ly shared her daughters chagrin. was
wicked enough TO enjoy their confusion, and
never appeared more at my ease, or played
the agreeable with more success. | was
disenchanted at once, and my mind revelled
in its recovered freedom. My goddess had
fallen from The pedestal on which my inn
agination had enthroned her, deSpoiled of
the beautiful drapery which had impaired
10 her such ideal lovelness. | knew that
| was favorite in the family, for | was
wealthy and independent, and, perhaps. of
all Theresa's admirers. what the world
would call the hest match. | maliciously
asked her to play on the piano, but she
made thousand excuses, assiduously keep
ing back the true reason-her disordered
attire. l asked her to play game of
CHESS, but she had a headache she was
too stupid; she never could do anything on
a rainy erening.'
At length l took my leave, inwardly
blessing the moving spirit that had led me
abroad that night, that the spell which had
so long enthralled my senses might be
broken. Theresa called up one of her
lambent smiles as bade her adieu.
e. Never call again on a rainy evening
said she sportively; am always so
wretched dull. | believe was born to
live among the sunbeams, the moonlight,
and the stars. Clouds will never do for me-
Amen!' l silently responded, as
closed the door. While / was putting on
my coat, overheard, without the smallest
of listening, a passionate excla-
nation from Theresa.
g. Good gracious mother, was there ev-
er anything so unlucky? ] never thought
of seeing my neighbor's dog to night. III
| have not been completely caught
So hope you will mind my advice next
time,' replied her mother in a grieved tone.
have no doubt you have lost him for
ever
% Here ! made good ny retreat, not
wishing to enter the penetrdtia Of family
secrets.
"The rain still continued undated, but
my social feelings we're very far from be-
ing damped. / had the curiosity to make
another experiment The evening was not
far advanced, and as, turned from Mrs.
Vane's fashionable mansion, / saw modest
light glimmering in the distance, and |
hailed it as the shipwrecked mariner halls
he star that guides him DER oceans foam
10 the home he has left behind. Though !
was young, and passionate admirer of
beauty. had very exalted ideas Of domes-
tic felicity. i knew that there was many |
rainy day in life, and thought that the |
person who was born alone for sunbeams
and moonlight, would not aid me 10 dissi-
pate their gloom. / had, moreover, a
shrewd suspicion that the daughters who
thought it a sufficient excuse for shameful I
personal neglect that there was no one
present but her mother, would as a wife. 1
be equally regardless of a husbands pres
encp. While pursued these reflections,
nv feet involuntarily drew nearer and still
nearer 10 the light, which had been the /
of my opening manhood. had
continued 10 meet Mary in the gay circles 4