The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-31

marble. with cool fountain bubbling from
bath, sunken in one corner of the room.
Beautiful flowers and rare exotics bloomed
from vases of alabaster-the ceiling was sup
ported by four slender pillars OF venetian
marble From the opened windows the
cool night breeze strayed lovingly among
plants and roses, and lifted with coquettish
impulses the silken curtains which half con-
cealed the beautiful woman, with her loose
white robe cleaning through the intervals OF
her long flowing raven hair. small Jet OF
solid gold, curved and carved in many curious
twist, pendant from the ceiling and shaded
by a rich crystal globe, filings its rays through
out the room.
Scarcely was she lifted from the cool waters
of the bath to the couch, before deep dream
less slumber sealed her eye lids. On each
side of her sat one of her attendants-their|
heads crowned with beautiful turbans which
could not conceal the rich dark tresses which
| glowed with CLEAN of ebony beneath them.
The splendor of their Eastern costume har-|
monized well with their brunette complexion,
which was of shade SO dark as would almost
have become an Indian's-eyes as bright as|
diamonds, and teeth as white as pearls, set off
the beautiful countenances of the twin
watchers, with rare and nameless beauty
attractive beyond expression. SO thought att
least Laura Taylor, who was at this ,aoment
admitted into disappointment She had obeyed|
Zera's summons without moments hesita-
ton, but was prepared to find her enjoying
that repose which Holden had told her was|
so absolutely essential to his mistress after
her exhausting journey.
"Wake her not" she said to the attendants,
"let her sleep thing, she needed it
greatly" and STOPPING, Laura pressed her
lips lovingly ON the brow of the beautiful
girl. As the warm ripe lips touched her fore
head, a gentle agitation heaved her bosom
for o moment-the passionate mouth was
wreathed in smiles and then the emotion
passed away, and left her in the same silent
and serene repose.
"Oh how beautiful, how very beautiful
she is, murmured Laura, ''and good and
pure as beautiful I" She looked upon the
sleeping beauty long and ardently, and then
taking from her pocket miniature likeness
of Bartrelle, and gazed alternately upon the
picture and the girl.
"Ho& strangely like they are" she
muttered to herself; the features are
all the same, only she is dark and
he is fair-but moulded in the same con-
tour of outline-only hers is more delicate
more feminine OH God, how inscrutible
are Thy waysl"
Everyone will perceive how countenance|
of this kind, possessing a captivating and
Stimulating originality of expression, will
form ON the imagination of one familiar with
its outlines an abiding recollection and when
two such faces appear in juxtaposition, even
complexion viii notprevent US from detecting
the resemblance.
1t was some hours before Zera awakened
from refreshing sleep; but when her eyes
opened she beheld her maidens and Laura
seated beside her.
"Dear, dear Laura" she exclaimed, and
springing from her couch was folded to the
bosom of her friend in a warm embrace.
''How delighted L am to see you, my dear,
dear grill How long have you been here ?"
Several hours, but would not let them
arouse you for your sleep seemed that of
utter exhaustion"
'1ndeed, itwasl I have taxed my strength
too severely of late; and now, maidens, some
refreshments. / am nearly famished." And
while one Of the girls went to order refresh
ments the other proceeded to invest her
mistress with dress of the oriental style
which Zera ever wore when in her own house
and surrounded by her own domestics.
On this occasion she assumed a costume of
singular beauty and attractive grace. 1t was
composed of three or four short vests of the
finest embroidered muslin, disposed one over|
the other in shades of different colors. from
the pale pink to the deep blush of the carnation
rose-these opened in front, while the body
and breast were obscured by an inner robe of
rich, daky linen fringed with lace so costly
that it might have purchased princes ran
som over all foated robe of finest lace,
but so gauze-like in its texture that it added
| a misty beauty to the whole charming and
| maize beyond anything Laura had ever seen.
| small but beautiful turban was placed mon
| her head. The splendor and beauty
| dress enhanced by its air of coolne
comfort, made an impression on Lau
| she never ceased to remember. Harm
so perfectly with the intense tropical
of the wearer, that it seemed to her til
gorgeous picture was but the realizati
splendid dream of romance, in which
fist sought to present to the eye a chef
of feminine beauty and loneliness.
Snow, ma belle Laura, 1 feel my
dress sit as lightly upon me as feathei
whirlwind l must array you in it SC
that you may appreciate how exceeds
cellent and comfortable it is beyon
heavy apparel"
81 do not doubt it, ny dear" sale
unable to withdraw her eyes from tn
did creature whose change of dress hs
ON her an impression SO powerful, ''b