The Lambertville press., 1861-02-13

Miss Belle r., o gay, rollick
ing girl of eighteen, with black eyes
and merry, laughing mouth, was es
pecially fond of adventure, and being
let into the secret, gave her ready as
! sent to accept my protection fer tina
evening only-as the play-bills say
The next evening, received spe.
cial card of invitation to attend Mrs.
Johnson's soiree in 18th street.
At the proper hour, handed Miss
Belle R from the carriage in front
of the house, and led her into the re-
ception room.
had g,t myself up in tremendous
style. was supposed to he deter
mined TO make hit-whether I did
it or not will appear in time. l am
afraid that if asked, / could not tell
the use of the jewelry | wore. Ger
tain it was that had plenty Of it
rings In abundance-not exactly in
taste, but, like my wetch chain, belted
across my vest, and large seal dang
ling from my fob-all spurious-they
were my bats, which | had thrown
ont as an angler throws out single
line, with dozen hooks at the end OF
IT, That was my cash capital, upon
which would win my fortune of sue
cess. If there was pickpocket there,
/ was determined that he should have
a fair chance at it, though, like the
angler referred to, if he bit at the bait
he would find hook in it, for every
article was fastened with secret steel
chain
The pleasures of the evening pro-
ceed9d / was introduced to several
interesting ladies and gentlemen OF
congenial temperament, and as con-
versed unconscious of any purpose,
scanned carefully the face of each in
dividual of the COMPANY
Belle 2" in whisper
What, Mr.. LIE Clair ~
Who is that singular looking lady
in the center of the group by the win
dow 2"
Why do You call her singular look
ing 2" asked Belle in tone of serious
surprise
Because it is so,n I replied "Her
face is pale, almost to ghastliness, ex-
cept the one little spot where she
paints, while her black eyes dance
about like meteors; and her raven hair
seems like an ebony coffin revealing a
dead fare She is dressed in morning
and yet she is the most gay and fasci-
mating woman in the ROOM"
Belle almost held her breath as
gave this description, and with her
hand on my arm and blank expires
sion on her face, she said
"You don'k think
Who is she 2" | repeated quick
ly.
Madame Delaney / murmured
to myself. The friend of the Hon
Mr. F., the widow of the Assistant
Intendanu of the French Police
Umph y
Don't you think her very hand
some 2" asked Belle.
Yes, as a yulcanized de Medecis.
Introduce. me-"
Something in my manner must have
impressed my fair chaperone with the
idea of an adventure, for the introduc-
tio1 was made with evident embarrass-
ment on her part, and she fingered
close by. gazing in the faces of Mad
anne and myself with an air of puz
zled embarrassment.
As my inquiring glance met that
of Madame Delaney, | thouget / de-
tected something like start-a mere
shrinking of the pupil of the eye, a
double palpitation of the heart-as
she seemed to read my vocation at 6
glance, and felt flash of fear. Thi;
may, however, have been only the re
suit of my own conviction. She wa.
dressed in what is termed seconC
mourning, consisting of a black skirt
with hounces, fringed and embroidered
with green leaflets, pink bodice cuI
low in the neck, and embroidered will
dark velvet The sleeves were ex
ceedingly wide, with loose white I'M
uCI StCCFCo. IA Oiut SCh(l CIcIECIGt
her waist She wore no ornament
save plain breast-pin and a solitar,
diamond ring upon her middle fin
ger
Having made this security at |
glanee-during which she seemed tt
have done the same with mel sum
moned up all my resources, and q
once began an attack in French. Sh
seemed pleased at my addressing he
in that language, and whether th
rest were ignorant of that tongue, o
from what cause / know not, we sool
found ourselves alone. The fair wild
ow seemed qnite lively, and had it no
been for her white, ghastly expression
of face, would have been quite hand