The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-02-09
THE FACE AT THE WINDOW.


proud face, with almost CREOLE eyes and
cOal-black hair, lOOped. away from the
cheek in heavy and shining folds.
! had seen many more beautiful faces
during my winters in New York and
WashingtOn-my summers at Cape May,
Newport and Nahant, and besides, | was
expecting to meet at the Hall q certain
belle and heircss, n sister in-iaw Of the
friend who had invited nc to his home.
So gave only passing glance at the
pale stranger, and, diSmounting, rang the
bell. A slave answered the summons,
and conducting me into library, went to
call his master. In q few moments the
door opened, aud the lady had seen at
the window came in, with two curly head.
cd children clinging about her. She bade
me good morning in voice sweet rs the
thrill Of Lutte string, aud said, with some
embarrassment:
II am sorry that Mr.. and Mrs. Cuth-
bert are both out riding"
"Ah! and so am J." was the answer.
"but | suppose they will not be long
gone, for, though they did not expect me
to-day, / wrote them that should prob
ably be here this week"
"Thcn you are Mr.. Vincent"
Richard Vincent, at your service; and
now, introduce yourself"
"I-I-Iam"-she paused, wound one
Of the little girls ringlcts about her finger
in her confusion, and began again, ~
aD"-0nce more she hcsitatcd and re-
sumed:
~ have guessed it: you are the gov
erness?"
She smiled but the color mounted to
her very temples.
Poor and proud" I solilOquizcd.-
How that blush becomes her!"
At this moment we heard . tramp Of
horses feet, and saw Cuthbert and his
beautiful wife dashiug up the broad ave.
nue. leading to the mansion. The govern
ess hastily left ne, and | shortly after saw
her talking to my friends on the veranda.
Their brief conference over, my host and
hostess entered and gave me the cordial
welcome which is the characteristic Of
the Sonth. When the greetings had been
interchanged, ! turned to Cuthbert and
said" Pray, where is Miss Dupont, the
charming sister.in-law Of whom you
spokc!" lie and his wife exchanged sig
niiicant glances, and I continued: 81 am
impatient TO see this paragon-dOn't keep
me 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 inditFer.
ent to my personal appearance, and with
the aid OF an attentive slave | nrraycd
myself in the most elegant suit my ward
robe afforded.
II wonder II ] shall suit the heiress y
qucried mentally az took last survey
in the mirror and descended to the dining
hall. There near the table sat Cuthbcrt
and his wife, the face I had seen at the
window, and not far from the govcrncss,
young lady with fair complexion, q
blooming cheek, the sunniest Of blue eyes,
and prOfusiOn of golden hair. | was n
connoisseur in ladies' dress at that period,
and took in at n glance her costly India
robe, with It's frills Of Mecklin lace, tho
splendOr Of her bracelets, necklace and
ear-drOpa, and the exquisiteIy wrought
golden comb, which lOOped up her tresses.
Why was it that my glance wandered
from her to the pale, calm governess, with
her bands Of raven hair, great eloquent
eyes, and Q dress that fell about her like
." Dunmist :"
"Blanche," said my host, "allow me to
present 90 old and valued friend-Rich-
ard Vincent"
The blonde beauty cOlored, simpered,
and with aH inclination she intended Ia
be like that Of Q prima donna to an ap.
plauding crowd, acknowledged my bow.
miss Marguerite, resumed Cuthbert,
this is the guest we have been expect
ingl" She bowed with the grace of n
queen, and ] as respectfully as il she had
been one, as ! said:
I'VE have had the pleasure OF meeting
before, Cuthbcrt!"
"As ] told yOu," murmurcd the gov.
ernesS, ~ went down to tell him you
were absent"
Tho ceremonies Of dinner now began
and as a seat had been assigned me be-
side Blanche, tried to play the agreea-
ble, but often found my thoughts wan
dering to the pale, silent girl opposite
When the meal was over, aud the ladies
had left the room, we fingered at our wine
"What do you think Of my sister =
asked Cuthbert.
"She il very beautiful" replied.
"And have you fallen in love at frs
sight ?"
"If have I shall not tell you," ex
claimed, and then we went on chatting il
. merry strain. When We adjourned I,
the great cool. luxurious paTlor, founC
Mrs. Cuthbert and her sister, but tn
gOverness was walking to and fro OIL tn,
terrace, apparently absorbed in thought
The usual small talk ensued, and at las
at my request the heiress sat down at IN,
piano, and played and sang with mucl
skill. ! had observed Q harp in the b0u
dOir adjacent, and begged her to sweel
its strings for me. al
cannot" she said, "but Miss Mar
guerite can; l will call her." and MOVING
10 the windOw, she exclaimed imperiOusly
l-"COme, Marguerite, we wish you 4
play some airs on the harp"
| The gOverness hesitated Q moment
came In and took seat at the harp. A.
she sat there l noticed the superb proper
ton Of her fingers, the graceful pOise o
her head on the stately neck. But for
got thOce when she smOte the cords O
the harp and began to sing. Was she a.
imprOvisatrice ! thought she must be
70 full Of soul was the music she poureC
forth-~and when she concluded aske'
Mrs. Cuthbcrt whose composition It was
"Her Own," she replied, "and sh
never knows what she is going to SIM
when she commences.
| uttered no fulsOmc words Of com
mendatiOn to Marguerite, but my eye
must have spoken volumes of approval.
That night when l retired TO rest, ny
dreams were not haunted BY the heiresa
but BY the pale face had seen At tn
wiadOw-the face Of Marguerite, the gov
erneeR .oi l-, .-....
The next morning / was awake at a
early hour, and glancing out. saw Mar