The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-04-06
Che aVeeklv Aonpareil.
SATURDAY. APRIL 9, 1864.
THE FACE AT THE WINDOW

heavy and shining folds.
had seen many beautiful faces durin.
nv winters in New York and Wasbipytone
my summers at Cape Nav, Newpor, and
Nahant, and besides was expecting to NEE,
at the Hall a certain Southern belle and
heiress, a sister-in- law OF the friend who
had invited me TO his home. SoIgaye onI,
passing glance to the pale stranger aud
dismouniing, rang the bell. A few moment.
after the door opened, and the Iady whom
had seen at the window came in, with two
curly headed children clinging abou, her,
She babe me good morning 10 q voice swee,
as the thrill Of a lutte string and said, with
some embarrassment
81 am sorry that Mr. and Mrs, Cu,hber,
are out riding"
"Ah so am I ;" was the answer. shut.
suppose they will not be long, for though
they did not expect me to dav, wrote them
should probably be here this week."
"Then you are Mr.. Vincen,:n
"Riehard Vincent, at your service; and
now introduce yourself"
'.l-i-I am" she paused, wound one
OF the little girls ringlets about her finger
10 her confusion, and began again: 81 am
once more hesitated, and resumed.
81 have guessed it-you are the govern
ess z"
She smiled and the color mounted to her
very temples.
Poor and proud" soliloquized; chow
that blush becomes her,
At this moment we heard the tramp oil
horses feet, and | saw Cutbbert and his
beautiful wife dashIng up the broad avenue
leading to the mansion. The governess
hastily left me, and shortly after saw her
talking to her friends on the yeranda Their
brief conference over, my host and hostess
| entered and gave me the cordial welcome
which Is the characteristic of the South
When the greetings had been interehanged
| turned to Cuthbert and said
pray where is Miss Dupont, the charm
ing sIster-lu-law Of whom you spoket" lie
| and his wife exchanged significant chances.
and | continued 81 am all Impotence Ia
see this paragon don't keep me long ia
suspense
IL will not, you will meet Mt dinner"
The next moment the dressing bell rang
| and the host led the way TO the guest cham
Der, where he left me to make nv toilet.
In those days | was not Indifferent to nv
personal appearance, and with the aid Of an
attentive slave, arrayed myself in the m os
elegant suit my wardrobe afforded.
81 wonder If shall suit the heiress ?"
querIed mentally, IA took last survey in
the mirror and descended 10 the dining hall
There near the table, sat Cuthbort and his
wife, the fnce | had seen Mt the window
and not far from the governcss young lady
with n fair complexion. n bgoomin. cheek
the sunniest Of blue eyes, and pr0fusion
Of golden hair. was II connoisseur in
adies' dress at that period, and took in al
a glance her costly India muslin robe, with
its frills of MechlIn lace, the splendor Of hel
bracelets, neck acc and ear drops, and tbs
exauisiteIy wrought golden comb, which
topped up the rich iresses. Why was it that
my ewes wandered from her to the pale
calm, governess, with her bands Of raven
hair and her great eloquent eyes and dress
that fell about her ike Dunmlst.
'Blarche," sald my host. "allow me te
present an old and valued friend, Richard
Vincent
The blonde beauty colored, simpered. and
with an inclination she intended to be like
that Of a pima dona to an applaudlng
crowd, acknowledge my bow.
Miss MarsuarItc,' resumed Cuthbert
.!ths is the guest W. have been cxpecting.'
/ She bowed With the grace of II queen, and
rs respectfully as if she had indeed been
one. as sad
1--WE have had the pleasure Of meeting
before. Curhbert.'
As | told you," mnrmured the governess
81 went down to tell him you were absent
The ceremonies Of dinner now began, ant
~ u seat had been assigned me besIdg
Blanche, | tried to play the agreeable, but
often found my thoughts wandering TO thu
pale. silent girl opposite. When the mea
was over and the ladies' had left the room,
We fingered nj our wine.
| "What do YOU think OF my sister 2
asked Cuthbert.
"Shc is verv beautiful" replied.
"And you have fallen in love at frs
.iglt2'
| III have | shall not tell you!' ex
claim ID aud then went on chatting in mer
/ ry strain.
When We adjourned to the great, cool
! luxurious rarlor, found Mrs. Cuthb"r
and her sister, but the governess was walk
| ing n and fro on the terrace; apparently
absorbed in thought. The usual small tall
cn>ued, and ut last, n. ms request, tn
! hpirr>s sat down ut the pane, AMI plavet
AMI sag with much skill! had observed
/ a harp in the bouioir NJ jacen'. and beggee
( her to sweep its strings for me
! 81 cannot" she said. "but Miss Margucr'
I tie can; will call her" And moving Il
/ the window she exclaimed. imperiouslv:
| Come. Marguerite. We wish you to p!a,
some airs on n" harp
The coveFness hesitated moment, can'
/ in and took Il seat nj the harp. a. she sal
! there | noticed for the 6rst time the supert
| proporti tons 1T her fingers. the graceful
/ poise Of her head on the stately netk; gu
/ / forgu, those when she smote the chords Of
the harp and began to sing. Was she M
| imprnv,satrlce2 thought she must be so
50 full If soul was the music she poured
/ Furth, and when she concluded asked Mrs
/ Cuthbrrt whose composition II was.
! "ner own" ste replied: sand she never
knows .,hn, she is going to sing when sh'
| commence
uttered M fulsome words Of commenda
! ton to Marguerite, bu. my eyes must ha''
/ .pasen volumes Of approval.
| The night whea | retired 10 rest, M
dreams were not haunted hy the heire.s. bu
+ hv the pale face had seen ut the window
/ the face Of Marguerite. the governess.
, Tn. next morning was awake a; an earl,
hour, and CHANGING out. ssw Msrgue''"
gliding scro~s the lawn | FASTENED TO JIM
/ hsr-ber cheek wore a rich glow. her DARK
ms,rous eyes were foil Of light. her up
,r,mulaus with smiles. her white apron va
full Of snowy blossoms. and she had wreath
ed a spray of jessam1ne sm,d the o'acShes
of her hair. How we began to TAX scare
lly know, but never vas Sc entertainer ..
any woman, rs by her. | could touch nr"'
no subiee, in literature ar art. with wh'e'
she was rot familiar. and Madame de s'ae
mtgh, have coveted her Conversational po"
ers. On the lawn we separated, but whe
we me, nj breakfast. in the presence OF IN
Cuthberts and the supercihous heiress,
saw that the goveruess' old look had com
hack 10 her face. and shs was more Eetteen
than ever. Nv friend proposed u horse bae