Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-04-05

looking fellow in the world; and, gentle
reader, we could not forbear agreeing with
him; for, with his bold, black eyes, shining
black hair, and whiskers, massive white
forehead, and, withal, certain easy, care
less grace, he was a man with whom a
pretty or an ugly woman would feel des-
perately in love.
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1t was gay assembly that laughed and
chatted in Mrs. Langdon's handsome par.
lors that evening. Blue eyes and bla K
sparkled meath the gas lights, Curls and
1ra'ds, woven with diamonds and pearls,
huttered throughout the rooms; but of all
sparkling eyes, Kate Chester's sparkled the
most; Of all shining. tissues, hers was the
glossiest; so thought Ned, as he cauch,
sight of her amidst the crowd in which she
was submerged. lie was quite sure, when
she saw him, she would leave them all, and
devote herself to him; he stccd watching
her unobserged, aud felt more than ever
charmed with her: every movement was So
full of free, wild grace every motion of
those superb arms and tiny hands, as she
laughed and chatted like bird, amusing
the crowd about her, with her original and
graceful witticisms, was as free from afF.c-
tation as awkwardness.
How those city ladies suffer in the COM
parison,' thought Ned; just at that mo-
ment he saw his friend Charlie seize upon
one of the flowers which had fallen from her
bouquet to the floor. and fasten it in his
vest. and she allowed himk
well done ! muttered Ned, under his
breath; that's cool; appropriating my Ia
dy's flowers in that manner. I think it's
time for me to APPEAR and lie sauntered
toward the circle.
Mrs. Langdon met him half way with
uplifted hands, that he had not been pre-
sented to 'our petite bell.'
why, my dear Mr.. Harlcp she cried
laying her snowy kid on his arm 'this is
an unpardon"ble mistake, that you should
not have had the opportunity of securing
all those smiles which have turned the
head and stolen from us our beaux. But
you must make amends for it now, Which
doubt not you'll lose no time in doing.
So saying, the lively hostess lead Harle
forward. He had at first thought of dis
closing his acquaintance with Miss Chester
OF the preceding summer, in little coun-
try town, whittier he had strolled to while
away the summer months but, on SECOND
thought, he concluded to suffer Mrs. Lang.
don to present him, and mark the effect
bis sudden appearance might have.
He was somewhat disappointed in his re-
ception, for, save graceful inclination Of the
head, that sent all the curls dancing about
her dimpled shoulders, Kate took no notice
of him, Harle felt thoroughly vexed. lie
had suspected to be received with smiles
and bushes; but, instead he saw only r
demure little look, that, while it tantalized,
was perfectly bewitcbing; and, what was
most provoking, he could not have uttered
word to save bis life, but stood, for once,
thoroughly nonplussed. Thinkingit might
be as we'll to take himself off, rather than
stand making fool of himself, he beat a
hasty retreat vowiug vengeance on all the
world, Kate Chester included; though lie
would have gladly folded her to his heart,
and kissed her over and over again, could
he have had the opportunity.
he stood looking out from the deep bay
window upon the parterres below, when lie
heard Miss Chester called upon to favor
the company with music. of course she
cannot do it, thought he, 'as she plays the
guitar but indifferently but, to his great
astonishment, be saw her seated at the pi-
ano. and, oh, ye muses. such music! At
one moment pealiug, rolling, and rushing
through the dazzling arches, in a way that
sent the blood leaping and glowing iu tho
listeners veins; at another soft and heaven.
~ as an angels whisper. Oh, that heart !;
was the giil witch or angeli He almost
believed her both. But for one moment
did he see her apart, from Others, and then,
IS he listened in the conservatory, he caug BIT
her band, as she fitted past, detaiuing her
long enough to whisper
80 Miss Chester,'-he had ever before
called her Katie-tdecides not to bloom
and blush unsesn, and waste her sweetness
on the desert aira'
'ob, Mr. Harlep she gaiIy replied, I'm
getting 10 like this city life "a vsll,; fear
I'll never wish to return 10 the conntsy5 a
Not evep in summer T. said Ned.
oh tAatxopld depend uRoa how ohara
ingly our pleasures ssking cily gents could
dirt and sae lapgh md sated away
like . cloud Of lscs and gosssmsr; @g,
Tine aftef time they EHsf s. tins with palyl
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