The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-20

One of Mrs. Merideth's Evenings" was
two-thirds over. The light shown gaily
over fair women. Eyes sparkled, jewels
flashed, silken raiment glistened, flimsy
laces shook OdOrs out upon the air. The
dance music sounded merrily; for it was
only the February of 81, and people used
to dance then-before the nation had been
turned into two classes only, soldiers and
mourners. Ethel Darricott was tired
She had been on the floor all the evening
She was glad now to obey her partners
lead, and stop for a moment to rest upon
sofa, in the recess formed by bay window
The little nook was deserted just then, as
it CHANGED, and it looked quiet and invit-
ing-a little withdrawn from the confusion,
and yet in sight of all the light, and glitter
and movement.
Miss DarricOtt had danced more than
half the evening with the same partner
Howard Revere. He was handsome,
naughty, indolent man young, still scarce
ly twenty-five, indeed; but with an air of
command, careless, yet absolute, thatinade
you think him much older. There was
something inscrutable, something which
biqued your curiosity, in the expression of
his face-a look in his dark eyes which
might mean SO many things, that you lost
yourself in the midst OF speculation. He
was tall and vigorous, with muscles that
would have set the "strong man. crazy
with envy and yet a lazy, nOnchalant air,
as if he would like some one to save him
the trouble of lifting his own fingers
Miss. Darricott was happy sitting there
by his side, both of them silent, with the
bright dresses and fair faces circling mazi-
ly in front of them, and the dance music
SO merry that it was sad with its own mad
ness of mirth sounding in their ears. They
looked on for a while without speaking
then Miss Darricott said, musingly:
ga great many pretty faces, afe Mt
there?"
suppose so. | was Just wondering
why none of them looked particularly pref
ty to me. L wonder is it always SO, Ethel
that when man truly loves one, he sees
some defect in all others because they are
not Just like herr"
He had never called her Ethel before.
1t quickened her heart-beats little, and
did not answer him because she did not
know what to say. He did not notice, at
least he went on speaking slowly, half in
voluntarily as it were, words which would
be said. ...-.-...'.- -'-...'
81 don't know why l tell you now,
Ethel. | surely did not mean to when l
made you sit down here; but love you.
want you to be mine, my wife, by my
side forever-to fill up great void there
is in my life, What does your heart say
can you Gomez"
Miss Darricott did not speak for little
while. She was asking herself his ques-
ton over again-it was not whether sae
loved him, but whether she could share bis
destiny, be his wife. She grew pale lit
tie before she answered, but her reply
when it came was firmly spoken a.
s'NO."
Howard Revere turned and looked at
her moment-looked into her eyes and
at her face, whose language was as firm as
her tone had been. He did not expostu-
late her or entreat her. 1t would not have
been like him. He only bowed. '' '
"Will you dance ?" said he, rising mo
ment after, as new set was forming. She
put cold hand in his, and went again
among the dancers.
Miss Darricott had cousin-a year old
er, a little less beautiful, but with a keen
insight into men and things. She was an
orphan, living with the family of her Uncle
Darrlcott almost as a daughter. That night