Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-11-03

- IHE EAGB AL InB- ~ WtNDVWso
Itvas q womsn's face saw. II dfey reih
at Cuthbert Hall-spals, calm. almost proud
face, with large Creole eyes, and cosl-black
hair. loOpsd away from the cheek in heavy
and shining fOlds. 3 ~. sttlxEi- .-z51E i
had seen many more beautiful faces during
my winters in New York and Washington-my
summers at Cape May, Newport, and Nshsni;
and, besides, / was expecting to meet at the
Hall acertain Southern belle and heiress,
sister-in-lsw Of the friend who had invited me
at his house. So gave only passing glance
TO the pale stranger, and, dismounting, rang
the ball. A slave answered the summons,
and, conducting me into the library, went to
call his master. In 3 few moments the door
opened, and the lady wnoru.I I had seen at the
window came in, with two curly headed chill.
dren clinging about her. She bsde me good
morning in n voice sweet as the thrill Of 3 Lutte
string, and said, with some embarrassment
sTam sorry that Mr.. and Mrs Cuthbert are
both out riding"
All, and so am l." was the answer; "but
I suppose they will not be long, for though
thew did not expect me to-day, / wrote them
should probably be here this week. ;" ,os,sls ..'
Then, you are Mr.. Vineent3" 80. to1 70 q.
Richard Vincent, at your service; and now
introduce yourself?" .-.'t
"I-I-I am"--she paused. wound one of
the little girls ringlets about her finger, in her
confession and began again, "I am'-once
Il have guessed it-you are the governess.p
She. smiled, but the color mounted to her
very temples. --... -
Poor and proud, /" 1 soliloqui.ed, show that
blush becomes her, :" iI ~ u. --
At this moment we heard the tramp of
horses feet, and saw Cuthbsrt and his beauti-
full wife dashing up the broad avenue leading
to the mansion. The governess hastily left
me, and / shortly after saw her talking to my
friends In the verandah. Their brief confer
ence over, my host and hostess entered, and
gave me the cordial welcome which Is the
Characteristic Of the South When the greet
ings had been intsrchangsd, turned to. Cuth-
Pray. where is Miss Dupont, the charming
sister-in-lar Of whom you spokeP' He and
his wife exchanged significant glanses, and I
continued, - am all impatience to see this
parsgon--don't keep me long in suspense ~
Il will not-you will meet at dinner 10
The next moment the dressing bell rang, and
the host led the way to the guest chamber
where be left me to make my toilet. In those
days was not indifferent TO my persond ap-
pearance, and with the aid Of an attentive slave
i arrayed myself in the most elegant suit my
wardrobe afforded.
"Iw wonder if I shall suit the heiress ?'' I
querisd mentally, as took q last survey In the
mirror and descended to the dining hall
There, near the table, sat Cuthbert and his
wife, the face had seen at the window, and
not far from the governess young lady with
fair complexion, q blooming cheek, the sun
niest of blue eyes. and profusion Of golden
hair. / was eonnoisseur in ladies' dress at
that period, and took in at q glance her costly
India muslin robe, with its frills Of Mechin
lace, the splendor Of her bracelets, necklace
and eardrops and the exquisitely wrought gol-
den comb which looped up the rich uesses
Why was il that my face wandered from her to
the pale, calm governess, with her bands of ra-
mai her md
dress that fell about her like "Dummist |"
Blanche" said my host, I" allow me to pre-
sent an old and valued friend-Richard Vim
cent-''--' -...
The blonde beauty colored, simpered, and
with an inclination she intended to be like that
of prima donna to an applauding crowd, ac-
krowledged my bow.
Miss Marguerite, " resumed Cuthbert "this
Is the guest we have been expecting" She
bowed with the grace of a queen, and as re-
specially As If she had indeed been one, as I
said . 5 ..sr .f..- .H...... - P
1--WE have had the pleasure of meeting be-
fore, Cuthbert." :, =
=" AZ told you" murmured the governess,
81 went down to tell him yoGwere absent"
The ceremonies Of dinner now began, and rs
a seat has been assigned me beside Blanche, I
tried 10 play the agreeable, but I often found
my thoughts wandering to the pale silent girl
opposite When the meal was over, and the
ladies had left the room, We fingered at our
wine. Faa.g
What do you think of my sister '' asked
Cuthbert. ..,-.. 49, f-... ...4. ..t,
"Shs is very beautiful, ~ replied.
And havs you fallen in love at Hrst sight ?''
I" IL i have / shall not tell youln I ex-
claimed, and then We went on chatting in Q
merry strain. When we adjourned TO the
great, cool, luxurious psrlor. found Mrs.
Cuthbert and her sister, but the governess
was walking TO and fro on the terrace, appar-
entity absorbed in thought The usual small
talk ensued, and at last, at my request the
heiress sat down at the piano aud played and
sang with much skill. had observed q harm
in the bOudoir adjacent, and begged her to
sweep its strings for me.
"1csnnot," /" she said, "but Miss Marguerite
can; VIII call her" And moving to the
window she exclaimed, imperiousiy:
Come, Marguerite, We wish you to play
some airs on the harp" 1..a
The governes, hssitated q moment, came in
and took a seat at the harp. As she sat there
/ noticed for the first time the superb proper.
tions Of her fingers, the graceful poiss of her
head on the stately neck but I forgot those
began to sing Was she an improvatricep I
thought she must be, so full of soul was the
music she poured forth, and when she CON
eluded, 1 asked Mrs. Cuthbert whose compo-
sition il VAST
Her Own," she replied, 'and she never
Aho"s "A@s eAe - Boine W sing Wnen she
commences" D.
/ uttered no fulsome words of CONNIE nd alton
TO Marguerite, but my eyes must have spoken
volumes Of approval. =
That night when retired to rest my dreams
were not haunted by the heiress, but by the
pale face bad seen at the window-the face
Of Marguerite, the governes.
The next morning was awake ut an early
hour, and glancing out saw Marguerite gliding
across the lawn. i hastened to Join ber-her
cheek wore rich glow, her dark, lustrous
eyes were fall Of light, her lips tremulous with
smiles her white apron was full of SNOWY '
blossoms, and she had wrsathsd a spray of las.
ssmine amid the blackness of her hair. How
We began to talk / scarcely know, but new or
Was 50 entertained by any woman as by
her. could touch upon no subject in
literature or art. with which she was not IA
miiisr, and Madam do Stael might have COW
sted her conversational powers. On the lawn
We separated, but when We met at breakfast
In the presence Of the Cuthberts and the super.
cilious heiress, L saw that the old governess'
look had come back to her face, and she was
more retieent than ever. Ny friend proposed
horsebsck excursion to q boiling sprins In the
neighborhOOd, and when orr party assembled
On tbs VePanda II noHaa1 -f.k