The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-05-10

The last dying cadences of delicious,
dreamy waltz, across whose weird notes
the soul of Beethoven had poured out
itss magic sadness, were floating over the
crowd that filled the ballroom of the
fashionable Washington hotel there was
the stir and murmur Of separating coup
les, and the Unsurpassed yawns of weary
"wall flowers that followed in the wake
of every brilliant waltz. Kate Elwyn
stood in the recess of the window, play
ing carelessly with the faded jessamines
and tube roses of her boquet, while her
blue, lovely eyes wandered anxiously
from one place to another, evidently in
quest of some familiar countenance,
which they could not discover.
There were few more beautiful faces
than her own, even In that festive crowd,
where half the bellies of the Union had
brought their diamonds and brilliau eyes
to dazzle the grave politicians and law
makers of the land. Rather beneath the
medium size, with the fragile delicacy Of
fairy, her complexion had the transpa-
rent waxen bloom that you look for only
in children, while her heavy bands of gol-
den hair lay over her somewhat low fore
head in ripping waves of amber. Very
dark blue eyes, translucent as sapphire
of the first water, and little crimson
mouth, carved like cupid's bow. and alto
gether she was as perfect q specimen of
the radiant blonde as one sees out of a
picture gallery or novel.
Suddenly her cheeks blossomed into
roses, her whole countenance frightened,
as tall and rather elegant looking gen.
tleman languidly sauntered toward her.
Charley, | thought you never were
coming"
"I've only been down in the supper
room for few moments, my dear. I'm
sorry you missed me. Anything I can
do for you now?''
]" Yes-do get my fan and shawl, and
we'll 60 up stairs. It's after one o'clock,
and I'm completely tired out"
ssCouldn't, my DEAR said Mr.. Elwyn,
breaking a moss rose from his wife's bo-
quet, and fastening it jauntily into his
coat. I'm engaged for three waltzes
and quadrille. Miss Raymond would
never forgive me for desertiag her.
Kate's lip curled haughtiiy, and 9
deeper shade of crimson stole into hel
cheek.
eJealous, eh2" laughed her husband
patting her bright hair lightly. /" Now,
Kate, that's little too silly Of you
Don't You know that at place like this
a man is expected to make himself gen
orally agreeable to the ladies'? Pray, my
dear, don't become so absurd and ridicu
lous as to-
And so" interrupted Mrs. Elwyn
bitterly, your wife's wishes and conve
niences are secondary to Miss Raymond
will"
The green-eyed monster has certaini,
invaded Jour peace. nay love!' said MIR
Elwyn. "Upon my word, | have Away
given you credit for a little more common
sense" !" Charles" said Kate quietly
and without needing the careless sarcasr
of his tone, /" am weary of this roun
of senseless gaiety l am sick of the tn
multi aud vanities of Washington. vii
you take me home?'
Why, Katel after all your anxiet
to pass winter in the great center of SO
cial and political lifel You have bee
| teasing me ever since we were married I
indulge you with season in Washing
tom 3aa
II know it, Charles" she meekly ar
swered, trying to suppress the tears th;
were brimmiRg to her eyes, g but hay
at last learned the folly of seeking re;
i pleasure anywhere but in the precints
ones own home. My taste for gaiety
satisfied, and you cant imagine ho
homesick l feel--how anxious to see II
dear little ones again. When will yo
/ take me home, Charles p
Next week, perhaps, my love--or Il
week after, if you positively insist upe
it,"
/. 80, Charles, why not tomorrow 2"
Impossible, Kate. I am positive
engaged for every day this week Fl
drives and excursions in the neighborhoe
of the city,
"Engaged?" repeated Kate, openir
her blue eyes. 81 knew nothing of the
arrangements.
" No, my dear, I suppose not" sa
: Elwyn lazily. :" Did you imagine ] W
! going to come and ask your permissi,
every time wanted to drive out with
!, lady or smoke cigar with two or thr
gentlemen d
kate's lips quiyered and she turn
! quietly away. Charles Elwyn looked 8
!, ter her with an aroused expression in }
. eye and half-smile on his lip.
5" She's jealous, as / liye!'' he mute
: led. "Jealous of Aurora Raymond al
: the pretty widow. Well, let her pout
!, , out at her leisure--it will never do to e
|, ! courage this sort of thing"
If he could have seen her 3 few m
: ments. afterward, Gust when he "
whirling through the waltz with Nj
9 Raymond's midnight curls flowing os
: his shoulders), sobbing in the silence
: her own dimly lighted room, the gold
: : hair all unloosened from her hair pin a
Ijeweled comb, and her blue eyes looki
: like morning -glories drowned in rain.
s Well, perhaps it would have done b
!, good, perhaps not. It's not always b
!, to lot man know. the full extent of
power over that miserable little eapti
his wife--it is astonishing how the s
n delights in tormenting its victim. Th,
.tl is always one blessedavenue of relief OF
81 to woman-kind, howeyer-a good CRY