The Van Buren press., 1861-05-15
Mgistellatlg.
THE ED FACE

/
blaze of light, the center of attraction for
hundreds of eyes. In the most perfect
human form, there is always, invariably,
some line, some point where shading is
necessary; a pillar for support, back
ment of drapery to conceal or modify some
imperfection. As the smile is necessary to
the face, SO is this unacknowledged shading
to the form.
But Beatrice courted the full blaze of
light proudly she stepped forward from
all support, and stood as peerless statue
for admiration as the exquisite marble wo-
man of Powers creation. The dead white
silk of her dress lent no aid to her charms.
and there were no diamonds to flash back
the light. Her golden brown hair aas
drawn in ripping, sunny waves Fl ON low
broad brow, and thrown over small white
comb. in long, bright curls. Her neck was
bare, and so were her arms to the shoulders,
fairly dazzling were those arms IN their
fine grained whiteness. She was no longer
girl, she must have been TWENTY-FIVE per-
haps thirty.
Royston Glare, who stood in the prosce-
MUM gallery, eye-glass in hand, regarding
her with the cool gaze of connisseur,
resolved that OF all the crestion OF paint
ers or sculptors, Beatrice Clements beauty
was the most divine. There was in her face
mingling of patrician and peasant beauty
wonderful in its effect as it was strange in
its combinations
Beatrice lived in a great, gloomy struc-
ture, that lowered above the Canal in the
vicinity of the Rialto. She had come, a
stranger, to Venice very few Of its gay in
habitants had ever seen beyond the broad
staircase that led to her apart ments.
Her admirers, who hoated in their CAV
gondolas past her windows, could catch no
more than a passing glimpse of her white
form, as she occasionally fitted by.
Lord Glare, an Englishman by birth, af
ter years of travel had halted at Venice,
at once of his countrywoman, with whose
name the whole city was ringing. And it
was with the sole object of seeing her that
he had sought and obtained an introduction
to the Ducal Palace that evening.
Never had Beatrice's Beauty appeared so
dazzling as when she stood silently under
that globe of light, surrounded by beauty
and royalty. herself the star where all was
bright.
Lady" said . young relative of the
Grand Duke approaching Beatrice, II bring
you one OF your own people, an English
man.
Was it so, or did Rodman imagine that
slight flush tinged her waxen cheek.
"You are most welcome, my country
man." said she. bowling gracefully,
strangers in strange land, we may yet
be friends
You are very kind" rejoined Royston,
II shall not fail to improve by your kind
ness.
Do. if you like. I am singular!y
alone in this Venitian world. A friend
will be an almost forgotten luxury
Nay. but are you not already entered,
and trying your luck o. answered the lady,
her eyes flashing with laughter, I" yes, you
have entered-you naughty Englishman,
nov be loyal
Royston. fattered by her frank manner,
ventured to offer his arm, and they saunter-
ed off through the gorgeous saloons, keep
ing time with their steps to the music. and
conversing in as confidential q style as if
old acquaintances.
And when did you see the last of cold
foggy England % asked Beatrice, shlug-
ging her shoulders.
One, two, three, four years ago,
! :.sa::nk." counted Rsoyston ; Indeed, it is
SO long I have almost forgotten. fancy,
from your tone, that you don't consider the
Saxon land the brightest the sun shines
upon"
England was never bright to me. and 1
shall not mind if never experience its chills
again.
Surely you are not going to forsake the
land of your birth %
I forsook it long time ago for years.
| it may be forever" answered Beatrice,
lightly. Now. let us leave England, and
notice some of the people here. 1 assure
you they are very amusing; that tall girl
at the head of the dancers. with the roses in
hand. is the Princess C. Don't you think
her magnificent and that man behind her,
watching her. is nephew to the Duke re-
port says be has offered himself TO her FIVE
times. Only think what devotion. That
short. pale girl. with dark Marion DOR
probably you have heard of her. she is con-
sidsred perfectly irresistible inst watch
her till she smiles. There did you ever
see such teeth you wnnld think her dag
cling. for an instant. now. watch the light
fade. ah tell you, my lord. her life has
Il - . kak hat II