The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-03-06
THE FACE AT THE WINDOW.

II was womam's face I saw as | drew
rein at Cuthbert Hall--a pale, calm, almost
proud face, with large Creole eyes and coal
black hair, looped away from the cheek in
heavy and shining folds.
had seen many more beautiful faces dur
ing my winters in New York and Washing
tommy summers at Cape May, Newport.
aud Nahant, and besides. was expecting to
meet al the Hall certain belle and heress,
a sister-in-aw Of the friend who had invited
me 10 bis home. So gave only a passing
glance at the pale stranger, and, dismount-
ing, rang the bell. A servant answered the
summons. and, conducting me into the libra
~, went TO call his master. In a few mo-
ments the door opened, and the lady whom
had seen at the window came 10 with two
curly headed children clinging about her.
She bade me good morning in sweet voice
as the thrill Of lutte string. and said, with
some embarrassment:
I" am sorry that Me-. and Mrs. Cuthbert
are both out riding
"Ah! and so AN was the answer, +" but
| suppose they will not be long, for, though
they did not expect me to-day, wrote them
that ! should probably be here this week.
Then you are Mr.. VIncent!'
Richard Vincent, at your service; and
now introduce YOURSELF"
"l-i-l an" "-she paused, wound one Of
the little girls ringlets about her fingers in
her confusion, and began again. am -
once more she hesitated. and resumed
have guessed il; you are the COVER
ness'
She smiled. but the color mounted to aer
very temples.
Poor aud proud" soliloquized, chow
that blush becomes her."
At this moment we heard the tramp of hors-
es' feet, aud saw Cuthberl aud his beautiful
wife dashing up the broad avenue leading to
the mansion. The governess hastily left me,
and | shortly alter saw her talking to my
friends on the veranda. The brief confer
ence over. my host and hostess entered, and
gave me the cordial welcome which is the
OF the South. When the greet
ing had been enterchanged, turned 10 Mr..
CuthberI, aud said:
Pray, where is Miss Dupont, the charm
ing sster-in.law Of whom you spoke ?" lie
and his wife exchanged significant glances,
and | continued: !" am all impatience TO
see this paragon-don't keep me long in sus-
pense !"
!" will not-you will meet at dinner !"
The next moment the dressing bell rang,
and the host led the way to the guest cham
Der. where he left me 10 make my toilet. In
those days was not Indifferent 10 my per-
sonal appearance. and with the aid Of an at
tentiye servant, srrayed myself in the most
elegant suit my wardrobe afforded.
/" | wonder if shall suit the heiress ?" I
luerIed, mentally, as took a last survey in
lhe mirror. and descended to the dining hall.
There. near the table, sat Cuthbert and his
wife, the lace had seen at the window, and
lot lar IRON the goyerness, young lady with |
air complexion. blooming cheek. the sun.
hest ol blue eyes, aud . proiusion OF golden
lair. | was eonnoisseur in ladies' dress al
hat period. and took in 1t glance her
ostly India muslin robe, with its irilIs OF
dechlin lace. the spIendor Of her bracelets,
ar.drops and necklace, and the exquisilely
wrought golden comb which looped up the
ich tresses. Why was il that my face wan.
erred from her TO the pale. calm gayerness,
nth her bands pf raven hair, great eloquent
yes, and dress that fell about her like
Dunmist."
Blanche" said my host. "allow me 10
resent an old and valued friend-Richard
'incent!y
The Blonde beauty eolored, simpered, and
nth an inclination she intended to be like
nat ofa prima donna to an applauding crowd.
cknowledged my bow.
Miss Marguerite" resumed Cuthbert,
this Is the guest we have been expectiBgp
She bowed with the grace ofa queen, and
as respectfully As Il she had indeed been
ne, as said /;
1--WE have had the pleasure Of meeting be.
Dr., Guthbeui"
As told you" murmured the governess,
vent down TO tell him you we're absent"
The ceremonies Of dinner now began, and I
$ seat had been assigned me beside Miss q
Ilanche. tried TO play the agreeable. but 8
ften found my thoughts wandering 10 the