The Oxford intelligencer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1860-18??, 1860-08-01

don't know how it is blessed. m
( There was a rustic and a fiuttcr of muslin,
the sound Of light, springy step, the glimpse
of fairy form, and Mrs. Winslow stood be-
fore me. She was not very beautiful, but
sparkling ana yitacious, with the glow Of
health upon her cheek, and its light in her eye.
The baby had reused up now, to be sure
no more of its quiet and calmness-no more
of It's thoughtful serenity. Its little form
fairly fultered with Joy; it laughed, claPPing
it, dimpled hands.
you've come to stay all day with me,
haven't you9 and baby had such good com
pany while mamma was gone, hadn't itF
she said in light chirrup way that set off
the little fellow with renewed delight. Her
invitation had only seconded my design, SO
removing my bonnet aud mantilla, while she
sat down in the rocker. and took the baby,
we prepared to enjoy the day and eachoh.
ers society.
can't tell what we talked about. No; it
wasn't of balls, nor operas, nor lions, nor
sights. No; not neighbors character was
dissected. No. the infmities of the clergy
man were not shown up. No; not morsel
of private scandal was cut or carved. But
the time flew swiftly and pleasantly after din-
ner, and when the great round sun was sink
ing behind the trees that gowcd and burned
in the rich warm light, she came to where
| was sitting, and without word laid por-
trait in my lap. 1t was that of noble look
ing man, with most expressive and faultlcss
features.
is il your husband, | asked.
My husband as he was, she answered
with sigh. You have never seen him ?
replied in the negative.
1T is most time for him to be here she
continued. you will stay with us this
evening Z
Ireplied that l should be happy to form
his acquaintance, and again looked at his
portrait,
dbtsu lOoh hkc hoNJ ShS an
swercd wiping away tear. Yet he says,
and blush ovcrspread her features, he says
that lie shall ever have cause to bless the fire
by which he lost his good looks, but which
won him what he esteems a thousand times
more valuable
What was it ? asked with an unaccount-
able dullness of apprehension.
She pointed archly, and with sweet, sad
smile to her wedding ring
DO tell me the story, should delight to
hear it,
Again she smiled, saving:
Il don't know that you will consider it
very interesting, however, several reasons con-
spire to make mo wish that you should know
all, and since YOU may have mover heard,
perhaps may as well tell YOU
Certainly, certainly
You see whom Mr.. Winslow first began
his attentions to me wasn't at all pleased.
He was handsoms, knew, but had set my
mind very foollshy | suppose, on having
rich husband, and one that could keep Inc
above the necessity Of work, SO | slighted
and rcpulsed him upon all occasions, making
him feel not merely my Indifference, but ac-
tual loathing and Scon. Such treatment
one might have supposed would have quick
ly obliterated his passion; on the contrary,
however, it seemed only to increase it,
About this time formed the acquaintance
of city gentleman, whom rumor reported to
be very rich, and whose selfshness was veil
ed beneath a manner Of the utmost suavity.
His attentions to me were marked and not
to be mistaken-and though he never spoke
of love, ho acted and looked it and | believed
him.
AT this time lived with my mother, in
our beautiful cottage at North Bend: the.
place was very gay, and social parties large
and frequent; | mingled in them all, and
Barton was my escort. Sometimes | saw
Winslow, bnt he seldom approached me,
though his deep, sad eyes always seemed
following me-
1T was in October, think, the atmosphere
dry and cool, with high winds, as we were
returning from a party, late at night, ! was
surprised and shocked by the appearance in
the distance Of a deep red light. that seemed
to climb the sky and quench the very stars.
A wild and awful presentiment of approeh-
ing evil at the same instant crossed my mind
If that should be our house, l almost
shrieked.
'Nonsense-it is much farther off, ex-
claimed Barton.
But | was not satisfied, and hurried on,
nearly dragging him with me-
we came nearer, nearer. Ny fears were
all too true. 1t was indeed our beautiful
home wrapped in one broad sheet of smoke
and fame. Red forked tongues were tapping
the pillars and shooting from the windows;
while up at one of the sky-lights stood my
mother in her night dress
with one wild shriekI caHed the attention
of the crowd to her situation. Hundreds of
people had by this time collected, though
chiefly as it seemed for the qualification Of
c,,riositv Coma vrara runniDsr with roDes