Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-05-24
UNDER A SHADOW;


Mrs. Kole Oyl's party had progressed on
ward to its eliminating point, which was
supper. When the splendor Of this was
somewhat on the wane, curious circum-
stance occurred, causing novel sensation
amid the brilliant atoms forming the lumi-
nous ring about the main center Of attrac-
ton, the table. 1t was whispered about
that Miss Marshall had taken too much
wine-that she was, in fact, tiP$y. If any
one Of the twenty young gentlemen stand
ing about with champagne-g glasses in their
hands, had been observed in 8 state OF semi
intoxication, it would have excited little at
tention. People in Mrs Kole Oyl's set were
accustomed excuse the frail.ies of the
scarcer sex il il would only furnish the
requisite amount of whisker and silk waist
coat, and partners for the Lancers, a little
softening of the brain and little indiscre-
tion in the use of stimulants could be very
graciously overlooked. It was not thing
entirely unknown for the cheeks and eyes,
if not the manners, of some Of the dashing
married bellies, to betray flush which the
heat of the rooms would not account for
there are always ill-regulafed meteors and
comets in the most heavenly best society
but, it was something new for q young lady
to be guilty of actual intoxication at party.
And Of all things, that it should be Miss
Marshall ! that she who never even polkae3,
nor wore decolLete dresses; who was almost
as much wondered at for high moral cour-
age, aud for seeming to have some purpose
besides pleasure, as she was admir- ed for
her beauty. The first feeling, as the whisper
went round, was one Of profound ast0nish-
ment; the next, with those who had envied
her, was that of mrth and triumph. Indeed,
those who were the most panied by the sight
could not be insensible TO its righteousness
Miss Marshall had left off the heroic, and
was playing high comedy. All those ia her
vicinity, who could hear what she said or see
what she did, were convulsed with laughter.
1t was as good as if Mrs Kole 0lyl had ad-
ded tbeatricals TO her entertainment She
had taken a hollow pyramid of macaroOns,
decorated with spun sugar which streamed
abroad like golden hair, from the table,
placed It iauntily on her head, and, crowned
with this fool soap, and with wine glass
for a scepter, mounted chair, where she
"Payed such fantastic tricks before high heaven
As made the angels weep"
OF coLrse, nothing naughty which would
not have been tolerated. She always had
reputation for wit, and had Sped rarely,
shaft of satire, when the folly or sin which
drew her aim was too annoying to be
allowed to remain unmolested. Now, this
gift of satire suddenly developed into a
culver. full of the most singing arrows,
which she shot at this and that of her
friends with the most pitiless skill.
Peoples faults and peculiarities, which
their acquaintances had only discussed be-
hind their backs, were the subjects of her
ridcule. She even descended to mimicry,
80 perfect and so droll that, while the VIC
Tins were enraged, all the rest of the throng
could not help being vastly amused. Some
minds were divided between wish to steal
away, lest their own failings should be the
next under consideration, and wish to
remain and enjoy the discontinue of their
neighbors
Miss Wilkes, rich old maid, whose ut
erance was slightly affected by a new set
of artificial teeth, retired, In high dudgeon,
to the dressing-room. Mrs. Squashington,
who talked bad grammar, and wore red
velvet, was MORALLY offended Mr.. Diddier
went to take sly look in a mirror to see ii
he really had such fascinating smirk
The personalities were of the most unior-
givable character, but uttered with such
inimitable spirit, as if in the very reckless
ness of fun, and with such girlish archness,
that the laughter continued undated. One
might have persuaded himself that it was
only mirth gone mad-only wild excess of
youthful leviiy-were IL not for an occa-
sional thickness of utterance, or incongru-
GUS Stiffness, with now and then that stupid
droop of the eye betokening intoxication.
Yes, Miss Marshall was deeply under the
influence of winel
To hah nd s,,.
house 4" said Mrs. Kole 0yl. "But then,
you know, Mr.. Thornton. it won't hurt me-
"0f course not" said Mr.. Thornton, who
was leaning against the easement of win
dow and gazing fxedly at the remarkable
display which had disturbed the smooth
sweep of the current of commonplace. His
reply was satisfactory. and his hostess did
not observe the pallor of his face. She had
no idea that the young gentleman to whom
she had expressed herself, was engaged TO
the young lady who was thus disgracing
herself aud friends. OF all her guests there
had been none whom the hostess was more
anxious to secure than Nj. Thornton; he
was rather unattsinable, and enough dis
tinguished by fortune and family to make
his presence in her parlors something OF a
triumph. In her heart Mrs. Kole 0yl did
not care who was tempted into excess BIZ
the profusion of her table; that part of her
entertainments she made il a feature to have
seductive. in lieu of her power of excelling
in any other loftier sphere; but, she did not
wish 10 have Mr.. Thornton's good taste Of
Tended.
That gentleman remained pale and quiet,
gazing at the strange exhibition. He was
IS proud as Lucifer. and his pride had been
the FIRST means in fixing his affections upon
Miss Marshall She was so beautiful and
yet so reserved, highly accomplished yet
ayerse TO display, so diguifed for so young
girl, that his first admiration led 10 rever-
ence, and then TO love. A young lady who
never allowed men TO put their arms around
her waist in the waltz, and who dared, in
the face of fashion, TO vail the exquisite
beauty of her shoulders and arms-rericent
of her wit and charms, yet precisely grace
full and self possessed. was the maiden OF
all whom it would suit him TO WOO for his
wife.
He had wooed her, and won her promise,
not a fortnight since. The head which
never had stopped to any other shoulder,
had stopped TO his; the hand which had
never fingered in any others had fingered
in his. His love had exulted, gloried in the
thought of the goodness and saeredness of
is object