Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1861-11-30

! hed IN his ASSOCIATIONS, II was COnsluereu
an honor by women to be under his pro-
lection or marked by his preference. This
much was conceded to him by the general
voice to Mildred he was all this and
something more. Sympathies, delicate
but deep, united them in tastes, preteren'
ces, thought. Their love had kindled as
the natural result of their congeniality.-
Their union, if consumated, promised to
be union OF heart and spirit, immortal
as these spirits.
| So Mildred sat there, where her aftianced
left her, indulging in happy reveries, sub
| timely Indifferent to the threadbare state
of her wardrobe. She did not know that
her cousin Julia had overheard the con-
versation Just uttered and that she had
stolen to her room with face pale with
the anger of mortified vanity.
The niaht of the reception arrived
Richard Graham mad been out Of town
since Tuesday, and had not seen his be.
trothed since the parting we have men
toned. He called at Mrs. Fielding's Mild
reds aunt) on his way to the party, to pay
his respects to his beloved. in case she
did not attend, and found the whole fn-
mily, including her, already gone. He
was glad she had made up her mind not
to remain behind, though it must be con-
fessed he felt some uneasiness at she idea
of her appearing to so much disadvantage
as she necessarily must in her thrice made
over garments, bare Of all Jewelry and
the hundred pretty and costly nothings
| in which ladies' know so well how to Ell.
thrall themselves
He was therefore SURPRISED to meet her,
smiling and radiant, the most elegantly
attred woman in the rooms. lie was
something Of crit in such matters, but
he could find no fault with the new robe
of delicate peachboom silk, in two skirts,
and with bretelles of rich lace sottening
the tint of her lovely neck and arms. 1t
was simply made and its extreme ele'
gance was owing principally to the becom.
ngness of color, and the grace with which
it was worn Yet it must have been a
costly affair for it was pattern robe,
and the fabric was heavy and lustrous with
rich and peculiar design running through
the double skirts. Mildred had never ap
peared so beautiful She knew that she
was looking well, she was glad to see her
lover after three days absence, and
there was Just enough excitement in the
various circumstances Of the evening to
heighten the lustre Of her dark blue eyes
and the b-iliancy Of her smile.
so you were not compelled to wear
the ancien, blue, after all ?' remarked
Richard, aside to her, upon the first op-
portunity.
"Of course not, you rogue. But you
were disobeying orders Of the strictest
kind, and | should not forgive you SO
readily, if you had not been SO very Gun.
ming in your kindness as 10 leave no
chance Of refusing it. think you have
charming taste, Richard"
8" | think you have if | am to Judge by
this occasion But do not understand
youl reference in the least my dear. Has
your aunt opened her heart, or did your
good Uncle Fielding suspect your distress,
and fly unbidden to the relief iorlorn
damsel with nothing to wear
I" Fie, Richard don't put on that puz-
zled innocent look. knew from the first,
| of course; and as have testified my for,
giveness by wearing the dress you may as
well own to the truth"
Really | am not aware that you had
anything to forgive
" 1 suppose it did not appear crime in
your eyes
q" But, truly, l know nothing Of"
"Now don't say another word laughed
the arch, bright mouth, and pretty hand
went up to his lips with quick gesture
GLOW do you like me in it? think the
dress makes up beautifully
And | think the wearer does full JUS
tce to it. You are looking superbly,
Mildred can see that every one is ad
miring you.'
"My dress, you mean. No one but
YOU admires me in my blue. / care very
little for such admiration, Richard.
You are only a woman after all, and |
guess, by the hue of your checks, that
you are not entirely Indifferent, ell. Mild.
red ~
Perhaps not. Yet it seems to me that
it is because you love me, and You are
gratifed by seeing me look well, that
makes me SO happy. Hark, what delicious
music -
lie led her away to the dance, where
the buoyancy of her heart added lightness
to her steps and her lover might well be
pardoned the glow of passion and pride
with which he regarded one whom usually,
q There were none to praise,
| And very few to love"
But what queer expression that was
which passed over the face of gentleman
standing near, watching the dancers, as
his eyes fell upon Mildred Richard no
ticed ia surprised, suspicious, searching
glance, which seemed to read her, from
head to foot and then that sing sular look
settling upon his features. Anything but
pleasant look it was Richard felt like
/ knocking him down, in return for H. Yet
that would have been strange proceed
ing, and one for which he could o'er nc
excuse. He knew the gentleman we'll he
was one of the heads Of the most extern
sive and respectable mercantile establish
mont in the city, and man Of good edu.
eaton and superior requirements lie
had, hitherto, liked him for his geniality
and intelligence now be was offended for
no other cause, than a peculiar and unex.
planned Look.
| 1t was not known among their general