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

carefully their periumed curls were arranged
no matter how like Apollo himself they stalked
into balloons and saloons-the beautiful Miss
Clifford teigned them merely cool bow, and
reserved all her slight glances and smiles for
that wretch of Warren
! Men are conceiied creatures at best-it doesn't
take much to spoil them, and Charley Warren,
though as noble specimen OF the genus bono
as one often meets, began, after while really
TO fancy himself lille more fascinating than
any thing else that ever wore pantaloons. Elise
he argued, ''why did Cora Clifford, for whose
slightest smile the whole masculine world was
| sghng, prefer him TO ali their bewiiching ar
Tay?''
Cora stood in the dressing-room at Mrs. Arch
er's, arranging wreath of French rosebuds in
the folds OF her lovely hair. She was little
late, this evening, and Warren was patiently
waiting her re-appearance. She was unusually
beautiful tonight, and very we'll she knew il
as she stood before the mirror.
The string of her little satin slipper broke,
just as she reached the door, anG she stopped to
fasten il. As fortune would have il, the door
was ajar, and the voices from wllhou; reached
her ear.
"She's really superh--a regular Boston beau
ty. Splendid -Jdno-like, you know"'
''Ah % and Warren'S tone was decidedly in-
different.
81 merely mentioned ii as an abstract fact"
returned Dick AinsIie, IN piqued manner, e'oi
course we all know that il wouldn't do for yoU
to take any notice of her."
'sWhai do you mean," sard Charley, rather
sharply.
s'Nothing that as you have already
won the loyeliest creature in New York, you've
no right to enter the lists again.'
90 suppose may admire pretty woman
when [ see her, at least !" queried Warren.
''Not If you're wise. A girl like MISS CIif
fed, accustomed to being worshipped with all
the soul OF her admirers, won't endure divi-
ded homage. Don't try any perilous expert
ments, Warren :"
81 can say OF Cora, once won, won forever"
returned Warren, with dgnifed air, s'and it
is mistaken idea, that when you are engaged
to lady you are thenceforth to give up all 9TH
er female society,""
"D1n't know anything about that" said Dick,
provokiEgIy, 'but this do say-once COM
mence flirting with other women. and Cora will
'stlare up"
"And say" exclaimed Charley, in an ex-
CITED tone, ''lhat Cora loves me too we'll 20 QueS-
ton for an instant the Pro9riety Of anything I
may choose TO do or say. And Furthermore, |
wish you distinctly to understand that | am tied
to no woman's apron string. 1 am free agent,
and shall fiirl, as you term il, Just as much as
please !"
Cora turned away from the door with burn
ing cheeks and flashing eyes. Her first emotion
was that of anger and scorn-her second of pas
sonate grief. What would she not have gwen
for the luxury OF a "good cry," at home IN her
II. knl
Warren so dearly, these foolish words would
not have so agitated her. And after all, she
reflected, they were only foolish wordS-vain
boasts. uttered when he was stung by Ainslie's
lnsInuating taunts-she knew his heart was 10y
al and true Bet then TO speak of her IN that
manner-it it made her spirited blood leap up in
her veIns-Charley needed good leSson-and
he should haUe IL!
She rose and once more smoothing down her
sunny curls, joined the unconscious couple who
were still talking IN the passage, and they en-
tered the ballroom together.
At the CONCLUSION OF the first polka, as the
radiant lntle beauty sat on low oi!omaa, sur
rounded as usual BY crowd OF admirers, buzz
aud hum at the door announced the arrival OF
the new star, and in a minute Dick Alnslie
came up TO Warren.
"Come, Charley, want TO introduce you TO |
thai charming Boston novelty, Miss Howe. She
has jus: come in, and | want her to form as la
vorabie an impression as possible Of our New !
York beaux. Have | your permission, Miss
Clifford %
go, by all means" said Cora, smiling her
brightest smrles as she caught the quick, hurri-
ed glances which passed between them, 81 put |
him entirely under your charge, Dlr. AInslie.
Pray, Captain St. Aulyn, clasp this bracelet !"
and as the two gentlemen walked away, she |
held up her round white arm TO the fascinating
Captain who had been leaning against the wall
IN disconSolate manner. He came eagerly |
forward TO perform the service, and thrill pas
sed through every nerve in bis body as be touch
ed the blue veined wrist. Cora spoke SO COR
daily to him that he plucked up courage 10 ask
her II she was engaged for the next dance. She
wasn't-and IN half an hour Capt. ST. Aulyn !
was in such a state of delighted bswIIderment
that he didn't know whether the lovely crea-
ture hanging ON his arm was human mortal in
gold colored silk, or a gloried cloud OF mis-:
and sunshine-he was only conscious OF pair
of magnificent violet eyes shining on him
through long dropping lashes. All Captain,
beware women are proverbially deCe:tiul, and
you've walked into the snare with your eyes
wide open!
Miss Howe was a sallow, dark-eyed girl, with
a souppon of rouge on her olive cheek, and a
bold fiippant way-and Charley heartily wish
ed himself back by Cora's side, but Dick looked
20 provokingly calm and incredulous that be
talked with her just to prove that he was "a
flee agent" Miss Howe was ssdYing" to visit
the Dusseldorf, and Charley ostentatiously Invi-
ted her 10 accompany him thrther the next
AiDslIe slightly elevated his eye