The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1866-02-21

Inc very midst OF the sE alters.
The scarlet feather in her cap hoa,ed
back behind Ler, mingled with the black
hair, which, escaping from her net, tumbled
into masses oil gIiuering ringlets on her
shoulder
AS he touched the arm of gentleman
near him.
'Who is she, Churchill g
Verne ChurchilPs dark cheek showed a
touch Of crimson.
| (which one g
AS il there was more than one! She
with The scarlet feather aud velvet sacque.
The queen OF them all.'
Oh; lhal's Asia Vance
'Aeia! What name How came she
by it7'
* couceii OF her fathers have been
iold'
'tlumph! An odd fancy Do you know
herp
Yes
Introduce me, please, / cannot return TO
Boston wi;hool hearing her voice II onght
10 be sweet as silver bells to accord with
her face and fgure.'
q see no opportunity, at present, TO graf
ify your desire, SAID Churchill, rather
coidly.
We will seek the opportunity Buckle
on your skates We will overiake her.
THAT is easier said than done. Miss
Vance is swift skater'
"A least there ia no harm in tryine,'
Asbe said aud presently the TWO gentlema9
set iortk in pursuit OF her.
Her brilliant eyes eofened slightly, as
they met the expression in ChurchiIl's, aud
little conscious rose color flushed her
cheek lie touched lightly The dainty hand
10 its soii-Iured gauntlet
This is MIR. Ache, Of Boston. Miss Vance,
Sac acknowledged the introduction with
cay courtesy. Ashe was fully match
tor her in small talk, and the acquaintance
progressed raridly.
The two Sc iaiely strangers whirled of
together, leaving Churchill TO return or 10
follow ihem a. leisure.
He hesiia'ed moment and then joined
Maud Easiiord.
Maud was unusually briIIisoi that day.
The keen air had coIored her pale cheeks
scarlet, aud her biUe eyes flashed like sap
phires Maud and Asia were rival beauties
MAIDS skates had become loosened. She
seated herself on fallen log, while Churchill
arranged them.
just then Asia and Mr. Ashe swept BY
Churchill saw The bright lush on Asia's
face, and caught something of The subtle
iascinalion in Ashes dark grey eyes
And he who had loved with his whole
.oal Asia YAGce for hree years, had never
been able 10 win from her smile half 30
tender as that which new wresthed her
face for this stranger.
ChOschilrs ,houshls were bitter. Per-
haPs his counienance expressed something
Of what was passing within. Maud bent
towards him, one curl of perfumed gold
touched his cheek. What a sweet voice
she had
what onbles you. Mr. Churchilp
For moment the mau was tempted. He
looked Up into her bean,iful face, so near
bis own Thai ne could have touched tie
scarlet lips with his. Maud loved him and
Asia was cold hearted coquetie.
He took the hand Maud laid on his shoul-
der, and half encircsd ber waist with his
arm, bul his native truth conquered Be-
cause one woman hjrted, he would rot be
false himself. So he answered Maud qui-
ely
'ThaDk you. Nothing troubles me. Shall
we join the compaoyP
And piqusd and disappointed, Maud re-
luclsntly assenied.
Asia, little coquet,e that she was, could
not be unmindful of the attractions of MIR.
Ashe. His blonde face win its golden
brown beard aud hair, would have won the
heart of almos: any young lady. Asia liked
the courteous deference of his manner, and
she was mol averse to reading the admiration
expressed in his eyes; besides, the marked
attention made :he other bellies spileiuI
towards her, and Asia liked that. She did
not care how hard the girls fell against her
she knew her bright eye would set all right
with The Other sex.
Ashe walked home with Asia, and OBJ
tanned permission to call.
He went there frequently.
His stay in Whitessown was prolonged
from three days TO a week, and 10 fort-
nighi. HIS business had taken more time
than he thought, be said BY way of excuse.
But he could stay no longer. His partner
was becoming impatient al his delay, and
had peremplorily recalled him.
& The last day oi his stay he went dowo TO
the lake. II was The frat of April, but The
ice bad not yet broken up.
The old people said il was unsafe 10 ven-
inre on il, but old folks are prone 10 croak,
and ihs young people egaye liple heed 10
hem - .s..s