Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-11-28

LIFE A 1T ~.
In one Of tho principal streets Of q great
city stood large boarding house, whose
white marble front and general cir bespoke
the aristocracy Of its inmates. One could
tell it was boarding house, from the many
faces-fair and plaIn--sittiDg 1t or near the
windows. It was Ave o'clock-the fashions
bic dinner hour. lf .ss
Already the public drawing rooms and pri-
vate parlors were filled with youth and beauty.
In one . bevy of fair women were grouped
together, talking rapidly and excitedly.
II tell you, it is mighty strange. Jane
saw him come out of her room twice to-day,
and last night, after the southern train came
in, at one o'clock he went straight to her
ROOM"
"Are you sure you can rely on James word.
Clara? am sure that should not trust
my maid in . similar case They are oil
fond Of the marvellous"
"You are really complimentary, Miss Brad
ley. If you keep servants whose word you
cannot trust, do mott
"The halls are dimly lighted at the hour"
said another kindly voice; perhaps it was
Mr.. Leeds she saw
mo, Mr.. Leeds has dark hair and eyes.
This man had fair hair and blue eyes-real
MISUNDERSTANDING, Jane said" e
"For PHYS sake, do let that poor Mrs Leeds
alone. Of course it was some relative, or he
would not be going to wake her up at that
time Of night. As for being in her room in
daytime. that is nothing strange-if he had
gone thirty times. At hotel ones room is
ones home and who wants to run to tho
drawing rooms to see every one that calls p
swell, agree with Clara Wilbur" said
another voice. 81 do not think we should no.
tce Mrs. Leeds any more. shan't for one.
She is too secretive and mysterious"
II shan't notice her, either"
"Nor I-ror l." said one and another.
"well ladies, am very sorry for the course
you have taken-for my part, condemn it.
l cannot blame Mrs. Leeds, if she is not dis
posed to be communicative regarding her fam.
lily affairs. believe she has some sorrow
that we do not know Of lam interested in her
her pale, sweet face touches me. I, for one
shall treat her politely having seen nothing
to cause me to do otherwise. We none Of
US have more than speaking acquaintance
with her, at any rate. 1t is not at all likely
she would confide her troubles, or the motives
| of her actions, to almost strangers" and the
lady passed into an adjoining room.
Dear me how independent we are II
seems to me that Mary Bradley plumes her.
self great deal upon her wealth."
"Oh, Clara how can you say so ?" said
the kindly voice before mentioned. "Mary
has less pride and cares less for money, than
any one of u.s."
"Well she needn't be so wonderful straight
laced-but girls. there comes General Lane
LIE: US get up our very prettiest smiles"
A tall, noble form, in full regimentals-
chapeau. sash, epaulettes, etc.-entered the
room. He was handsome man Of fifty, dark
eyed and olive-skinned--the beau of the
house. Though fifty years had passed over
his head, his lofty form was still unbent, and
his heart as young as it was twenty years
ago. He was noble specimen Of manhood
and Notwithstanding his half century. moi
one of the fair beauties around him would
have refused him her lilly hand !" for was he
not handsome and wealthy? And, although he
had seen many bloody field, his deep voice
was almost gentle. and an almost womanly
tenderness brooded in his eyes. As he ap.
preached the ladies', he said:
GOOD evening, fair danes. What is the
news?"
General you have missed q rare dish OF
scandal. Mrs. Leeds was done to turn.
am sorry you missed it." go
mo need for sorrow, my dear young lady,
as was sitting out on the verandah, enjoying
my cigar, I heard it all. l suppose I should
have moved; but / was too lazy, and YOU
were talking so loud did not suppose it was
secret"
Clara Wilbur "wilted" down considerably
for it was her custom to ''do'' the soft and
gentle before the General.
"What do you think OF Mrs. Leeds?" said
gentle Maud Miller. .e
"We:l Miss Maud, think she is beautiful,
graceful and perfect lady. If she were q
widow to morrow would try to win her."
As he finished speaking two persons came
pacing slowly down the broad hall. The
woman was slight and graceful, with dark
whether only ornaments being coral
breach, clasping collar of rich lace around
her white throat, and coral comb that con.
fined her jetty curls. The gentleman was
"tall and aristocratic," with fair hair and
blue eyes"-being. doubtless, the identical
man who Jane had seen enter Mrs. Leeds
room the night before. While they watched
the careful movements Of the two, the gong
sounded, and the entire company moved into
the brilliantly lighted dining room. 1t 80
CHANGED that Gen. Lanes rooms adjoined
Mrs. Leeds. He had only returned to the
city fortnight before, after an absence of
seven weeks, during which time the stranger,
Mrs. Leeds, had come among them. Immed-
lately after dinner he had retired to bis own
room, much to the discontinue Of the ladies.
As be sat reading in his own room-Mrs.
Leeds and the world forgotten-he heard a
knock at the lady's door, and as it was open.
ed, heard woman's voice exclairn:
"Oh, dear Charlie, is it you! Come in, you
look tired and worn out Come and lie down
on my comfortable lounge and rest, while we
have good old fashioned talk"
The General was surprised to hear how
plain he could hear, till he remembered the
door between the rooms. seo
SLOW long can you stay, Charlie?"
Only till ten, Carrie. 1 have an engage
ment at ten to meet Lace Canterbury. But,
Ca. rie, you look tired and worn out What
is wrong, my pety' l.. r..
''Nothing, Charlie; you only fancy So"
"You cannot deceive me, Carr;e-you are
changed. Something is missing from your
eyes; and the rare old gladness Of spirit, that
was my pride, is gone now.''
.g Then, ere she could reply, he added.
= "Where IS Harry tonight"
The clear voice was unfaltering that re-
piled. 'e-s't'.-',
HE has business out to.night2'
= 'He was out last night, when came at one
o'clock. Is 1t his custom to leave you alone
ct night. Carrie?"
"Oh! no indeed. 1t just happened So"
=. "Come into the inner room, dear, l have
much to say to you, it is now home like"
p Their voices only reached the Generals ear
now, in kind of subdued murmuring. Yet
he could not read. The spell seemed broken.
For an hour he alternately pacedthe floor and