Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-11-23
The Face at the window.

SH1uluS IoluS.
had seen many more beautiful faces
during my winters in New York and
Mashingt0n-my summers at Cape
May, Newport, and Nahant and, be-
s.des, was expecting to meet a5 the
Hall certain Southern belle and heir
ess, sister in-law Of the friend who
had invited me at his house. Sol gave
ony q passing glance to the pale stran-
ger, and, dlsmounting, rang the bell.
A slave answered the summons, and,
conducting me into the library, went to
call lis master. In few moments the
door opened, and the lady whom | had
seen at tho window came in, with two
curly headed children clinging about
her. She bado me good morning in a
voice sweet as the thrill Of a Lutte string,
and said, with some embarrassment:
81 am sorry thai Mr.. and Mrs. Cuth-
bert are both out riding"
"Ah ! and so am l." was the answer;
'.but | suppose they will not be long,
For though they do not expect ne TO-
day, | wrote them | should probably be
here this week"
''Thcn, you are Mr.. Vincent ?"
Richard Vincent, at your service
and now introduce yourself :"
"i-I--I am"-she paused, WOUND
one Of the little girls ringlet about hcl
finger, in her confusion, and begar
again, u am"-once more she hesita.
ted, and | resumed:
Il have guessed it-you are the gov
erness :"
She smiled, but the color mounted Il
her very temples.
Poor and proud" I soliloquised
show that blush becomes her!"
1t this moment we heard the tramp
Of horses feet, ani saw Cuthbert ant
his beautiful wife dashins up the broat
avenue leading to the mansion. Tn
goyegness hastily left me, and | shortl,
after saw her talking to my friends j,
the veran!ab. Their Orief conferenc,
oyer, my hest and hostess entered, an,
gave me the cordial welcome which i
the characteristic Of tie South. Whel
the greetings had been interchanged,
turned to Cuthbert, and said:
"Pray, where is Miss Dupont, tn
charming sister-in-laW Of whom Vol
spoke 20 lie and his wife exchanges
significant glances, and l continued
81 am all Impotence to SEQ this para
goE-don't keep me long in suspense'''
81 will not-you will meet at dinner
The next moment the dressing bel
rang, and the host led the way to tn
guest chamber where he left me to max
my toilet. n those days I was no
Indifferent to my personal appearance
and with the aid Of an attentive slav
I arrayed myself in the most elegan
suit my wardrobe afforded
II wonder if I shall suit the heiress?'
queried mentally, as took the las
survey in the mirror and descended t.
the dining nall. There, near the ia
Bile, sat Cuthber5 and his wife, the fac
hal seen at the window, and not ia
from the governess a young lady wit
a fair complexion, blooming cheek
the sunniest Of blue eyes, and 8 prcfu
sion Of golden hair. I was connois
eur in ladies' dress at that period, an
I took in at q glance her costly Indi
muslin robe, with its friIls Of Mechli
lace, the splendor oe her bracelets
necklace and eardrops, and the exquis
itcly wrought golden comb which loope
I'D tre rich tres:es. Why was it taa
my face wandered from her to the pale
calm goyerness, with her bands of rave
hair, and her great, eloquent eyes, an
dress that fell about her like q sEDum
mist.''
''Bianche," said my host, "allow n
to present an old and valued friend
Rich ard Vincent"
.Lhe blonde beauty coloTcd, simpared
and With On inclination she intended t
be like that Of u prima donna to o,
applauding crowd, acknowledged N
bow.
Miss Marguerite" resumed Cuth
bert, ''this is the guest We have been ex
pectlng." She bowed with the grac
Of queen, and as respectfully as j
she had indeed been one; as . SAID
awe have had the pleasure Of meet
ing before, Ca5hbert.''
las told you," murmured the gov
erness, ~ went down 70 tell him yot
were absent
The ceremonies Of dinner now began
and as o seat had been assigaea III,
besides Blanche. ] tried to play tn
agreeable, but I Often found n,
thoughts wandering to the pale, silen
girl opposite. AVhen the meal wa:
over, and the ladies had left the room
We fingered at our wine.
What do you think Of ny sister -
asked Cuthbcrt.
"She is very beautiful" I replied.
"And have you fallen in love az frs
sight 2"
"If 7 have I shall not tell you"
exclaimed, and then We went OF chat
ting in a merry strain. When re ad,
journed to the great, cool, luxurious
parlor, found Ms. Cuthbort aad hei
sister, but the governess was walking
to and fro Oh the terrace, apparently
absorbed in thought. The usual small
talk en8ued, and at last, at my request
the heiress sat down at the piano and
playel and sang with much skill.
had observed a harp in the boudoir ad.
iacent, and begged her to sweep its
strings for me-.
~ cannot,'' she said, "but Miss
Marguerite can I will call her" And