Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-09-21

antciPatOns of pleasure, left my hone
for the first time in my life.
Ii was with a lmid, shrinking heart
that found myself alone in a superbly
furnished drawing room, waiting for my
aunt to come and bid me welcome. The
long mirrors, rehecling my sober brown
dress and plain shawl, the velvet covered
furniture, costly books, brilliant ornaments
rich carpet, each and sll contributed 10
fill me with delighted amazemen,, and
when tall, lovely woman, richly dressed
clssped me in her arms, and gave me
hearty, loving words and warm, welcOm-
ing kisses, my content was unbounded.
soon found that was in different
atmosphere from any lhs, my country
lungs had ever before inhaled. and IN
week was thoroughly amazed that | had
ever before managed TO exist. My cous.
ins, two bright, pretty girls of ninreen and
and twenty one, were in ecslscIes over
my beauty, in deep despair over my
trunk before The first day was over.
Mamma, see," cried Harriet, "wbst
lovely brown hair, glossy, waving, and
falling almost TO the ground. And such
complexion Oh. you will turn heads
here, and break hearts wthou, an efor'."
"But," echoed my aunt, do!orou'ly,
"my dear child, you must have some
clolhes-Green chInlz-ugh and brown
merinos made in style Of my mothers
wedding dress. Loug.sleeved nuslins
Well, here, put them all away. | am
your mamma, my dear, for lhe next six
months, aud you are to wear whatever |
direct"
had already drawn a mental contrast
between IiarrIsI's stylish costume and
my own unPretending one, no way fiat
lering 10 The LATER, so submitted thank
fully 10 my aunI's decree. In fortnight
there was large party OF friends invited
10 meet me, and had been trained and
costumed into a sense OF hopeiulness that
was not too gawky for presentation.
Ny aunt had arrayed me in shining
silk of the purest white, cut 10 show my
rounded arms and shoulders. 10 my dark
hair she had made the hair dresser twlne
starry i6ssamines, and upon throat, arms.
and bosom she had cIaspej golden orna.
ments set with pearls. For the first time
in my life | gloriej in my own beauty,
knew that he broad white forehead was
fair, the features delicate, the eyes large
and lusrous, the tall, wcIl.deveIoPed hg.
ure graceful and disnifed ; and | opened
nv heart TO the demon Of vanity, who
crep, in and nestled there. The evening
was triumph. Ny beauty was ac-
knowledged By aGmiring eyes and eager
ly sought intodCctlonS my quiet re-
serve passed for dignity, and | carefully
guarded against beIraylng any ignorance
of what passed around me. Dance |
dared not, but there was a call for music.
Several who proceeded me dazzled Inc
by the brllliancy OF their lingering, the
dash Of their performances but i was
not inundated. All my pride was rous-
ed TO make my aunt feel that her kind.
ness was not thrown away upon merely
pretty fool, and as | drew off my gloves
TO answer demand for display OF my
powers, ! nerved my heart with resoIj-
ZION 10 surpsss all there. Only a few
chords fell from my fingers when my
better nature, my inner sell, resumed I''
sway. | forgot the gay listeners, lost
memory of all surroundings. and poured
forth my hearts nobler impulses in song
and impromplu. Had ! known The cue,
| could no, have filed my desire more
fully. The free, rich voice, the trained
fingers thrown forth laden with the
wealth of study and inspiration, IaIly
electrified The audience, and | rose from
The piano 10 meet the warmesI plaudlis.
sm writing full confession of folly, go
no mock modesty shall check my pen,
From that night | was acknowledged
belle in my aunI's social ci Gle.
One of my uain Of admirers soon be-
came more Than merely attentive TO me,
and | was often laughingly congratulated
upon my conquest lie W" The only
son Of one Of the merchant princes of The
CITY, a man skilled in all wiIchIng accom-
pllshmenls, full Of talent and grace, easy
and courly, handsome, and above all,
worshiPper Of music. He opened for
me The world Of opera, concert, and ora
torio, and passed whole mornings beside
me at tie piano, alternating the role OF
brIllsn! performer for the more f7aIerng
one o. absorbed listener. We studied
duets, we praclised singing I'LL my aunt
lsughingly compared me TO a siren, and
bsde him beware my art. Daily in this
fac na.ing homage, so freely offered NE,
| was learning 10 desPise my old life. 10
murmur over my future, 10 shrink with
sick fear from the memory Of my promise
10 Roland Beside the conquering hero
who now held my heart slrngs, my be.
lro,hed seemed 10 me dull. stupid, and
hateful. How could he, asked my vain
heart, expect to bury my beauty and ge.
Mus in the stupid country home lie offer.
cd me ! How could |, having slipped the
intoxicating beverage Of aduIs,ion and dis
sipa,ion, settle down again 10 the tame
routine Of country life
| had never spoken TO any Of my city
friends OF my engagement, and if my
aun, was aware Of it, she politely ignored