The weekly Butte record., 1861-02-16
The Face at the Window.

1t was woman's face | saw as l drew rein
at Cuthbert Hall-a pale, calm, almost proud
face, with large Creole eyes and coa.black
hair, looped away from the cheek in heavy and
shining folds.
l had seen many more beautiful faces during
my winters in New Y ork and Washington
my summers at Cape May, Newport and Ma
hant, and besides, was expecting to meet at
the Hall certain belle and heiriss a sster-in-
Law of the friend who had invited to his home.
So gave only a passing glance at the pale
stranger, and dismounting, rang the bell a
slave answered the summons, and conducting
me into library, went to cali his master. In
few moments the door opened, and the lady
had seen at the window came in with two
curly headed children clinging about her. She
bid me good morning in a voice sweet as the
thrill of a lutte string, and said, with some en-
barrassment
81 am sorry that Mr.. and Mrs. Cuthbcrt
are both out riding"
" All! and so am l." was the answer, but
suppose they will not be long. for though they
did not expect me to-day, wrote to them
should probably be here this week"
Then you are Mr. Vincent ?"
" Richard Vincent, at your service, and now
introduce yourself"
Ill am'-she paused, wound one of
the little girls ringlets about her finger in con-
fusion, and began again, " l am once more
she hesitated, and resumed
a have guessed it; you are the governess y
She smiled, but the color mounted to her
very temples.
" Poor and proud" soliloquized, chow that
blush becomes her ~
AT this moment we heard tramp of horses
feet and saw Cuthbert and his beautiful wife
dashing up the broad avenue leading to his
mansion. Tie governess hastily left me, and
shortly after saw her talking to my friends
on the veranda. Their brief conference over.
my host and hostess then entered and gave me
the cordial welcome which is the characteristic
of the South. When the greetings had been
interchanged, | turned to Cuthbert, and said :
Pray where is Miss Dupont, the charming
sister-in-law of whom you spoke ?" He and
his wife exchanged significant glanccs, and I
continued " 1 am impatient to see this para,
gon-don't keep me long in suspense
" | will not-you will meet at dinner"
The next moment the dressing bell rang, and
the host led the way to the guest chamber,
where he left me to make my toilet In those
days was not Indifferent to my personal ap,
pearance, and with the aid of an attentive
slave | arrayed myself in the most elegant suit
my wardrobe afforded.
:" l wonder if l shall suit the heiress I
queried mentally, as I took last survey in the
mirror, ard descended to the dining hail.
There near the table sat Cuthbert and his wife.
the face | had seen at the window, and not far
from the governess, q young lady with fair
complexion, blooming cheek, the sunniest Of
blue eyes, and profusion of golden hair.
was connoisseur in ladies' dresses at that Pc
riod, and l took in at q glance her costly India
robe, with its frills of Mecklin lace, the splen-
dor of her bracelets, necklace and ar-drops,
and the exquisltely wrought golden comb,
which looped up the tresses. Why was it that
my face wandered from her to the pale, calm
governess, with her bands of raven hair, great
eloquent eyes, and a dress that fell about her
like Dunmist"
" Blanche" said mine host, "aow me to
present an old and valued frend-Richard
Vincent"
The blonde beauty colorcd, simpered, and
with an inclination she intended to be like that
of prima donna TO an applauding crowd,
acknowledged my bow.
Miss Marguerite" resumed Cuthbert, this
is the guest we have been expcctngr' r' She
bowed with the grace of queen, and | as re-
spectfuy as if she had been one, as l said
We have had the pleasure of meeting be-
fore, Cuthbert p
CAS- I told you" murmured the goyerness,
" went down to tell him you were absent"
The ceremonies of dinner now began, and as
a seat had been assigned me beside Blanche, l
tried to play the agreeable, but l often found
my thoughts wandering to the pale, silent girl
opposite When the meal was over, and the
ladies had left the room, we fingered at cur
wine.
" What do you think of my sister ?" asked
Cuthbert.
" She is very beautiful" replied.
" And have you fallen in love at first sight ?''
"If have shall not tell you,' l exclaimed
and then We went on chatting in merry strain.
When we adjourned TO the great, cool. luxu-
rious parlor, found Mrs. Cuthbert and her
sister, but the goyernesss was walking to and
fro on the terrace, apparently absorbed in
thought. The usual small talk ensued, and at
last at my request the heiress sat down at the
piano, and played and sang with much skill.
l had observed harp in the boudor adjacent,
and begged her to sweep its strings for me.
:" cannot" she said, but Miss Marguerite
can; l will call her," and moving to the win
dow, she exclaimed, imperiously
Come Marpuerite we wish vou tn nIav