The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-12-20

had been 'sgolng it" rather fast, but Cora's per-
| fectly natural manner az they rode home to-
gether, treasured him. She was IN charming
spirits-"never had enjoyed herself better
so Warren concluded that he was entirely safe.
The whole of the next day was inundated
| at the shrine of Miss Howe, by the taithless
cavalier; be had not intended it, and felt dec-
dedly guilty, but under the circumstances il
could not be helped. Not until the day alter
did he see Cora. Then, sinking up the steps
of her residence, he inquired for Miss Clifford,
She was at home, and he found her reclining
on sofa, deeply absorbed in reading.
Just as lovely as dream Talk about your
btace, high featured MISS Howe What feini,
rosy shadow there was on the bright lips, what
a blue, transparent light in the liquid eyes He
telt as if he could have knet down to worship
her glorious beauty, as he came forward TO claim
Smile
Good Jupiter! how coolly she extended her
little leweed hand, without raising her eyes
from The book
"There, sit down, Charley, till I've finished
the chapter. Such love of book Lamar
tine--you know-his sweet "reminiscences
| Wait, and don't disturb me, there's good fel-
low-l"
Charley sat down, completely confounded.
81 don't approve of Lamartinp," he com
mented. ''Pray where did you get The book %
"Captaiu St. Aulyn lent it to me. Do hush,
Charley"
Charley 6dgeted on his char.
"What have you been doing TO your hair,
Cora ! It's all twisted back, isn't it g-not be-
coming, l should say"
"Oh, l dressed it SO to please Captain St. Au-
Iyn."
"Has he been here, this morning!" .queried
the lover, with gathering trown.
ayes, and be saws look exactly like the
Empress Eugenie. had Fanny IN to dress ii
exactly to his taste, la ParissienRe. Oh, he's
so amusing !"
"Ahem-but don't like the style at all !"
"Don't you Well, do keep stall, and give
me chance to read moment"
Charley relapsed into a gloomy silence, but
his brow was dark and overcast. What busi-
ness bad st. Aulyn debating TO his afisnced
wife He would like to kick St. Aulyn down
stairs
A ring at the door bell, and wtispes from
Fan1y IN her mistress ear. Up started Cora.
"My bonnet and mantle, Fanny-quick.
There-fasten the colar-and now my parasol.
Charley, you'll excuse me, / know; but pre-
vious engagement-CaptaIn St. Aulyn."
"But Cora"
ss.fu yevoir," and before he could speak fur
ther the little beauty had fitted down stairs with
parting wave of the hand. Warren folded
his arms tightly across his breast, and walking
grlmly to the window, had the satisfaction OF
seeing Cora seated beside the smiling ST. Aulyn,
in his dashing turn out, and OF witnessing their
triumphant departure
Poor Charley! he turned pale and red with
angry emotion. Never had Cora treated him
so before-never had she evinced the least ten
dency to coquetry; and be knew not what
course to pursue. II he had not felt so utterly
wretched, he would have proceeded straight to
Miss Howe, but he was 100 far gone for that,
and he bowed bis head upon his hands in bitter
reflection. What could il mean ? He would
horsewhip St. Aulyn-he would. No, he
wouldn't, either; for hadn't he just been play
ing exactly the same game WITH Miss Howe ?
0, conscience, what remorseless accuSer thou
art
That evening he sent an excuse 10 Mss Howe, !
whom be had volunteered TO take TO WallaCk'S, !
and turned his footsteps again towards the resi-
dence OF hIs fancee. Fanny was IN the hall,
chatting with John, the huge iootman.
"Mss Cora was gone to the opera, with Cap
tain st. Aulyn."
The maid delivered this speech with half /
suppressed litter. Warren colored Indignantly. !
81 will come IN and waIt," be said, firmly. I
Fanny showed him into the drawing room !
Lamar:ine was lying on The table, with all the
ioUe passages marked in the captains hand wri- |
ting. The reader may imagine what kind OF
an evening Warren passed.
Towards midnight the Captains voice was
heard, bidding Miss Clifford ''good night !" and
promising to call "early tomorrow morning."
and the next moment the little coquetle tripped |
in, all lace and pIumes and jewels. But what
a pale, hsggaTd face met her glance Spite OF
herself, she started back.
"Why, Charley"
"Cora" said Warren, "have pity upon me-
What have done to merit this conduct 2"
''Good gracious, Charley, don't know what
you mean !"
"rhrs strange indifference to my feelings
this deliberate coquetting with that scoupdrel,
St. Aulyn. Cora, must have some explana-
tion 20
Cora sat down on the sofa by his side, and
placed her lily hand on his trembling arm.
"Charley, dear, don't be SO feroclous. All
want is, TO have you understand that am tied
10 no mans dickey-string- am free a.
gent, and shall firt just as much as please"
Every drop OF blood in Charley's system
seemed to have concentrated IN hIs burning face.
He recognized his own foolish boast.
s'It's mistaken idea," continued The unmer-
cful Cora, "that when you are engaged to
gentleman you are ihenCeforth 10 give up all
other masculine society,""
Warren under stood 1t all in an instant. Good
heavens, what relief 1t was HIS heart bound
ed up from the soles of bis boots as light as a
feather!
aG(sora x,an darlinr IitfIa an waawdyonnar I3