Washington telegraph., 1862-02-12
[For the Telegraph.l
4 L I N E " o r T o n .
BY MRS. MARY s M'DoNALD.

1t was a bright aud cloudless evening,
aud the full moon was shedding Il ra dlant
light, over the quiet village of Norton.
Ia the suburbs aud almost on the main
road leading through the village, stood a
quaint OLD house in the form of an l.. The
old house with its broad porches, high
narrow windows, and six gable chimueys;
was almost concealed by the tail locust
trees, interspersed with Grape myrtle,
roses and the many luxuriaut vines pecu
liar to the South. Here amid the thick
clustering foliage of the old trees aud
shrubs, the golden orioIe aud mocking
bird had reared uudisturbed their young,
and saug their widest, sweerest note -
Bat not more wild and sweet was the
song of the birds which wart led in the
old nome trees, than the voice of Aine
Norton the belle, the pet, aud piide of
the village Her father was one of the
pioneer settlers, aud had held an uffice of
high trust almost as back as the mem
ory of the oldest settlers. Here he had
xedded AliDe's mother, beautiful and
accomplished lady, who died a few days
after Alne's birth, leaving her to the care
OF pious aunt aud doating step-sister
Here 10 the old house, shielded from all
that c)uld mar, or iu any way make life
unhappy, had grown to womanhood, hline
Norton. Fond caEesses of neIghbors and
friends, books, music, and presents of
every description had been lavshed on
her with uusparing band. Men of tai
.ene, wealth aud honor, had paid her hom-
aye, and sought to win her hand. But to
all she turned away to seek new admirer,
aud thu, she had attained her twenty first
birth day, when JuiiaD Wills, young
.Dlanter In the vicinity of Norton, return-
ed from College to take possession of his
property. Of d temperament gay and cour>
feUus, aud mind highly cultivated and
rlch.y stored with learning, he soou found
in the society of Aline Norton the pleas
pure which he he'd feared he should not
shnd III the is lated vicinity of NJrton.
j Three years previous to the evening On
Which my story commences had passed
away, ard yet Julian Wills had made 10
formal declaration Of love to Ailne Nor
tou. Yet no Que doubted his fidelity to her
Nor did any one make the slightest allu-
sOu 20 either Alice or Julian on the sub
]eet, which both seemed resolved to make
mystery to all but themselves.
A cloud Of dust rose thickly about
Aofseman who came galloping down the
ha'a road to Norton. A SLEEK, black
setter dog, to which he whistled occasion-
aly' bounded brlskly by the side of the
Pan'lug horse. Suddenly the sound of
L HArp accompanied by rich, strong voice,
raasht his ear. "Woa, Phillip, woa,"
sala the young man, suddenly refining up
'ne pantlng animal. "Dowu, Soto, dcwn!"
Exclaimed he as he saw the beautiful black
PETER about to bound away in the direc-
s'tion OF the house bofore which he had
matted: just at that moment the heavy
IaA'asK curtain which hung over the open
uVof, Was turned aside, and disclosed to
tue 1aunty-lUoking horseman, AlIne Nor
pu Inc soft snowy folds of her white
'dlie dress seemed to envelope her like
white cloud. A wreath of glitteriLg
shlte roses encircled her fair high brow:
ae vide pagoela sleeve of her dress fell
Oaek almost to her bare shoulders, dis.
paylng an arm as round and white as
s'sf rested on harp. She was singing
slld and thrilling song of the chase,
+s Tue young horseman, as he bent eager
I iofWard to catch the wild strains, kept
Ie TO the air with the end of his keen
mug mug whip, on the pomel of his richly
Eaugled Mexican saddle, and the sleek
r'A setter testified his lOya of sweet