The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-01-30

rest of US went to our rooms. / found her
pale, and with husking Of voice that she
informed Inc arose, no doubt, from taking
cold. Perhaps it did, but she was free from
it the next morning. The next day we had
boat excursion which had been projected
before our arrival, and we were at once pre-
sentcd to the young people Of B., and be-
came better acquainted during the day
than many do in years in elite circles, where
etiquette is chain, CALLING, though wreath
ed with fowers-at least it has ever been
such to me. The time vas now spent in
amusement by us young people. All SEEM
ed to do their best to make our visit agreea-
BILE, and can truly say their best exceed
cd the exertions by one hundred per cent
Of those ever made for my pleasure in any
other place where have visited. Such a
genial, friendly, social circle Of young people
I have never met elsewhere, and my visit
in B., the first part of it at least, stands
out in 'mcmory's waste like green
oasis, enamellcd by the brightest Of
flowers. arched by the bluest Of skies.
At our parties, excursions, or what not,
Morton was my most constant attendant.
When We were not engaged elsewhere, his
evenings were invariably spent with us at
Judge T's. was not long in arriving at
the consciousness that was happier in his
presence than elsewhere Indeed, 7 was at
that time much given to sudden bushes
when he looked at me, and felt curious
sensation about the heart, unknown before;
still with the blindness of first love,
scarcely gave name to my sensations, and
If imagined reciprocity Of feeling at all,
it was in vague and dreamy way, which I
scarcely defined clearly, even in thought.
But how lovely did the earth appear How
glorious was the sunshine! How sweet
the song of birds! Never did I see such
roses during that June! And how good
and kind did all humanity seem to me then!
All! magic power Of first loye! How can
you gild every thing, aud make earth seem
very Eden-the same earth that in later
years very desert Of Sahara, with no veg.
citation, save dead thorns which pierce our
weary feet, and make them bleed. Towards
Belle, Morton's manner was uniformly kind
and polite, but nothing more. To me,
it seemed inexplicabe that her beauty did
not seem to win from him, mad worship
per Of the beautiful, as knew her to be-
whether in nature or art, more admiration
Meanwhile, Belle puzzled me-usuaily
cheerful, frank and confiding, and profes
sing for myself fond affection, she had be-
come silent, abstracted, and towards myself
almost repcllant in her manner. Any allu
sion to this change seemed to wound and
cmbarrass her, and ceased to question
her, but brooded over it in secret, and i,
was the one dim, small cloud which came
over the heaven Of my otherwise almost per
feet happiness-for to no other part of my
life, not even to the sunny days Of child
hood, and my childhood was bright one
can look back, and say was as near be-
ing perfectly happy, as during the weeks OF
which have written. Our visit was ex.
tended beyond its original time, by the
pressing request Of our friends, and ou,
parents written permission; Belle had
objected at first to the arrangement saying
she felt half sick and would 90 home. She
had been persuaded by us to stay, and re.
luctantly consented, and We had spent near.
iy six weeks at B., but the time was now
rapidly approaching for us to return home
1t was but two days previous to our expect
cd departure, and We were invited to q large
party. 1t was expected to be an unusually
brilliant affair, and what added to the zest
Of our anticipated pleasure, we were to have
dancing. Belle had in the interim become
pale, thin, and was evidentl, suffering from
either physical or mental causes. At times
her gaiety was so startling, she seemed
wild; again she was sad, lstless, and look.
cd to me like a faded lily, so pale and droop-
ing would she seem, once said to her that
I had never seen her so variable till We
came to B., and she started, and blushed,
and looked so queerly, l did not know
what to make of her conduct-but I was
| blind then, and never once dreamed Of the
real cause Of her singular conduct. On the
evening OF the party, Morton came early to
attend us. did not know he was below,
but when we were dressed, advised her to
go to the parlor till had completed few
arrangements, when would join her
How radiantly beautiful she looked l
could not forbcar kissing her as she stood
before me in her maiden purity and lowell
ness. Arrayed in a thin white gossamer
robe, with her ivory neck and arms bare F;
around her small classical head q wreath of
white roses and green leaves, with no orna-
ment else, but with eyes of sparkling bril-
liancy and cheeks scarlet with excitement,
for she was nervous and feverish perhaps,
| have never think, seen as lovely vision
as She was when she left the room, and
sighed, not hope with envy, as l survey
ed my own Indifferent appearance in the
mirror, compared with that loveliness which
dream-like had vanished from my sight
According to my foolish habit, had when
ready, seated myself and indulged in the
visionary's luxury, day dreams, and half an
hour had passed before was conscious of
the lapse of time Il started up and smiled
half mockingly to myself, as my bright
visions faded into nothingness and descend
ed the stairs. The stairs being carpcted,
my steps were inaudible. The parlor door