The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1860-02-02

appeared IN our midst a man who callet
himself Ross, aud as he made tempora
ry stoppage at the miserable tavern, il
soon became known that he was accom-
panied by his wife. Each person who
by accident obtained glimpse at her
was Immediately filled with admiration
at the extraordinary character of heI
beauty, and, in accordance with the con
ventional habits Of the place, tscveral
when the occasion permitted, spoke t.
her. with the view of opening an ac
qsaintance, but were met with such free
zlng reserve, or scornlul disdain, al
made them shrink from second effort
This somewhat singular conduct ex
cited general curiosity, OF which l con
fess to have felt my share; but when
saw her the only wonder was that tht
thought of such an intrusion should CIV
er have suggested itself to any one.
Such regal beauty as she possessed is
seldom met with even in the entire space
Of lifetime. In the oriental splendur O.
her lovliness, she looked like Zenobi;
but alas! in chains. Not saddened or down
cast, though, by misfortune, but hard
naughty, and defiant, as though she star
ed 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 ar
undulatng ease, and yet classic sever
ity, that rcpcled while it charmed, and
to person Of ordinary penetration no
! tyla .t l,l hn
pressure of the crimson curves of her
lips, and the eager flash Of her dark, lus-
trous, passionlit eye, to know that all
the pas, that lay behind her was filed
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 10y
some lightning stroke Of fate, it could
not have been more appalling than what
succeeded in her tragic life.
Standing one day with Percival on the
steps of the tavern, idling away pleas
ant hour, ac l accidentally glanced at
the door, saw Mrs. Ross, bonnetted
and shawlcd as # for walk, coming down
the wide hall.
Having became familiar with Perciv-
AIS Sybarite tastes, / felt curious to
know how he would be affec cd by the
unexpected sight of such remarkable
beauty, and fixed my observation on hin,
rather than the lady.
He was leaning carlessly against the
rough pillar at the top of the steps, and
did tot see her until she had passed at
least bali the width OF the gallery; then
Il look Of wonder, Of admiration, and res,
prcttuI Difference chased each other raD
idly across h:s face and as be raised
himself to an erect position, he lifted his
hat from his head until she had gone by
rs he turned to NE with an iuquiring
glance, said:
Mrs RosS. Of whom we have heard"
He recovered himself while | was
speaking, and replied, carlessly.
"a somcwha; unusual vision in this
place." and soon afterward strcled away
to his business.
From tha; day observed he sought
the acquaintance Of Ross, whom, hith-
to, he had avoided, and when, Il few
weeks after, Ross announced his inten
tion of residing permanently in our mids'
and carried it into execution by taking Il
little house hot far removed from the
business part Of the village, and fitting
it up in such a rude way, as the stores
aud his apparently limited purse would
permit, pcrcival commenced accompany
ing him home, and soon became his con :
stant visitor.
AS matter Of course, l knew there
would be no eongenia!ity between the
t, men, and just as naturally the
IT, ought arose that it was the society Of
Mrs Ross, Percival sought,
Ii any such desire prompted his course,
he was too circumspect to attract general
observations, and it was only at rare in
tervals that she was seen with her hand
resting in his arm, taking au evening
stroll through some of the Sylvan groves
tha. encroached upon the borders of the
village, or else driving with him in his
elegant bu" gy, then and there an article
of luxury but seldom found.
Chance threw no opportunity in my
way d becoming acquainted with Mrs.
Ross, though unconsciously, almost,
felt glowing interest in her, and often
puzzled myself to interpret expressions
OF fierce defiance and wistful longing,
that seemed intcrmingled on her face.
| tried to solve the feelings that animal
ed Percival toward Ross; no,withstand.
ing that each day saw them meet as
boon companions-notwithstanl ling that
in the then universal habit of play |
knew Perciyal repeatedly, in the face Of
his well known skill, most unskill!ully to
lose large sums to him, and yet invite
him again to game. thoug' l could
see through all the app rent friendship,
as through a aimsy disguise, deep con
tempt aud bitter hatred.
Several months passed away without
any incident in their intercourse coming
to my knowledge worth narrat;ng. until
one day Percival called in at my Office,
aud after some disultory conversation,
snid, somewhat hesita;.ngly, 81 wisl,
you had pvwer to minister to a mind
diseased.
Thinking that perhaps he jested,
replied joculsrly. ...
Perhaps, in your case, treatmcn,
would be required for chronic affection
of the heart
He rose and walked the floor nervous
ly once or twice aud then said slowly:
1T was not of myself that / spoke -
vas thinking OF Mrs. Ross