Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1860-03-24

had never beheld so lovely, dignified and
graceful q woman. She looked more lovely,
il seemed to me, this evening than ever before,
but there was pallOr on her cheek, and an in
tensity Of expression In he eyes, which gave
me uneasiness.
1t was half.pas ten. had observed Mrs.
Stanley for q full hour, glancing more and
more anxiousy toward the main hall door. AT
length the great bell pealed again, and shortly
after noticed 4 stranger, Of remarkable pres.
ence enter the room. Then il was saw what
grief consumed my lady's heart. | understood
il all. She was standing near the library door,
surrounded by n group Of the good.naturcd
admirers who really wOrShipPed her as much
ns they could any one. Suddenly ] saw her
place her hand upon her heart, and turning
round, gave q quick, almost Ngonizing look
toward the stranger, and sink into a chair,
while marble look Of composure stole over
her features.
"Great God! Mrs Stanley is fainting!" cried
Tighe Macauley; "fctch her some water, some
body"
care you i'll, Mrs. Stnnlcy'" exclaimed
Dick DasheclS, straightway dartinR after the
water, and returning almost instantly with
Clotilde and pitcher Of icc.water
yodJ EttttttHe'tt NY
lady; 80 am quite recovered, quite well"
! knew her too well, and the cause of her
malndv, tOprcSs my poor services, so haStcn-
I'd hack TO my retreat, for had also come to
aid, aud again took up my position behind the
CurtainS.
Inow availcd myself Of the first opportunity
to Scrutnizc the stranger, who Ind gradually
made his way toward our end Of the room.
h. 4 ,le 10 IL
not have been more than thirty two or thirty
three years Of age. lie was somewhat above
the medium height, of a complexion inclined
to be fair, but burned by tropical suns liz
wore his beard and molIstache long, and his
dark magnetic eye flashed out from under his
broad, high brow, with strange fire. His
ryrS puSsrSScd TINT pretilinr character Of en-
preston which made one feel their power from
great distance. They were not so very large
but were finely set, and reflected great soul.
Mrs. Stanley had risen to her feet, and stood
cOnvcrsing with the great English banker,
when Mr.. Huntington approached. His IMAM
ner betrayed the most perfect cOmposure, and
his salutatiOn was the most graceful one ! ever
witness, d. With n low bow he approached,
and took my lady offered hand, and they were
near enough for inc tO hear his words, as in q
low tone he said
b." 1t gives me pleasure TO meet Mrs. Stanley
with such happy surroundings, and to find
that the years since had the qualification Of
meeting her have dwct with her so kindly"
1--WE are glad to see you again, Mr. Hunt
ington let me present you to my husband-l
wonder where he isy"
"WhO are you looking for ?" asked Tighc
Macamly.
MY husband, Mr.. Stanley"
"Ohl he's playing euchrrin in the cnrd.room.
| saw him there not five minutes ago"
At this moment the band struck H., polka,
and every one rushed for partners, and saw
my lady leaning on Mr. HuntingtOn's arm,
making their way toward the card.rOOm.
The apartment usually called the card room
opened out Of the library, and adjoincd the
conservatory, and from where was, looking
through the vines and foliage, by standing on
bench could see into it.
saw my lady drag Mr.. Huntington up "a
her husband, and heard Mr. Stanlcy's hearty
Glad to see yOul" as, without rising, he
turned and extended his hand when his lady
presented the new guest. lie then went on
with his game. 1t went to my heart to SEC
the look on her face. as she stood with one
hand leaning on her husbands chair.
won't you take my hand won't you cut
in 2" asked several, rising.
"No; ! thank you; l am poor player,
she said, with q tone of much sadness.
"She can't play a bt-not a bit." added
Mr. Stanley come, dear, you had better e.
and dance"
She still fingered near him, and leaned over
his chair, but said not word She turned
irresOlutcly several times, and at last she took
Mr.. HuntingtonS arm, and they went out
through the conservatory door. They Np.
preached the parlor window only some ar
ange trees and grape vines separated them
from me; they were quite near. They had
been talking Is they came up the conservatory
and now they paused by the window.
Stay one moment. Isabella" he said,
Since you have spoken Of the past. may
surely be permitted to add a single wOrd-now
hear me. When, five years ago, walking on
Brooklyn Heights. the last night that you and
| ever met until this, plightcd to you my
trOth, and took your maiden word that you
would be true, did you think the words then
spoke came only from the lips, or that the love
Of Edward Huntington was a thing to be idly
esteemed! Did you believe that loved as
boys love, with love which new face would
change! Or, what thought you ofme, ISabvl
that have been treated thuSg ! ask with M
desire TO do your soul harm, or to disturb in
the slightest degree the unrutiicd current OF
your present destiny. Believe me, have no
such motive. ] would simply solve problem
which has troubled me much-pcrhapS griev.
ed mc-and which your former relationship
has left unriddcd both in my heart and brain. Vt
edward Huntington, ! must not listen tO
you, let me 60 in!" but she made no move.
mcnt, and stood. as before, with her arm rest
ing on his, beside vase Of hiitrope, whose
rich fragrance melted all the mir.
may, stay! !" he said, "the world seldom
sees so rare meeting, and would adj to my
little knowledge, if could, the key to the les
SONS which my love to you has taught me-
But, ell jeSting apart, ISabella-f0rgivo me
that call you by the dear old name; il will
be only for this evening, never again--I have
suffered much, very much, since We parted
heard from you only once. was lying sick
dying, they said-with the yellow fever, in
Panama. They brought letters to my room
from the mail which had just arrived. Ny
friend. with intuitivc delcacy, selected The
epiStle which he thought would prove mosl
welcome to my poor sick heart, and held it up
before nv eyes. recognized your writing
aud grew strong. II seemed as though BY
the strength Of my will triumphed over my
sickness, and the fond words which I read il
this, the only letter ever received from you
added to my daily hoprs, and recovered
You must have thought me mad from the let
ters then wrote, for my love seemed to grow
stronger and stronger, with every new thrOt
| Of 1sfA ~