The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-12-07


ling a dressing well skilled in all
the mysteries of her art, placed my
self under her careful manipulations,
and at eight o'clock precisely emerged
from her hands. my toilette being pro-
nounced faultless and complete. / was
attIred ina g0ssamer robe of soft, dia-
| piiaueous texture, my only ornament
consisting of a single white japoniea,
whose pure and l,sstrous petals shone
in vivid contrast With the massive
braids my. dark hair. Having put
the last finishing touches to her work
Llsette folded her arms and looked up
on me admiringly. "Qnelie joilie de-
! moisetie.n she exclaimed. 81 have done
my possible, and Monsieur John will
be so proud i blnshed consciously at
her extravagant praises. At the foot
of the BROAD staircase met my father,
who overwhelmed ME with com,,li-
ments. fancy they were not wholly
undeserved, for remembered the in
voluntary glance of admiration with
which caught in passing the reflection
OF my figure i'll q full-length mirror.
Beyond this, / never gave my appear
ance an afterthought. .t
The rooms were all thrown open
and brilliantly lighted. Vases of the
fciioicest and most fragrant flowers
from the conservatory filled the air
with delicate perfume that, to my
excited fancy, seemed waited from the
tabled gardens of eastern story. 1t YVES
like fairy land to my enchanted vision;
and when John came and stood beside
me my happiness was complete 1t is
impossible to convey in words any idea
of the expression with which he regar-
ded me, the mingled pride and tender
ness, while the thought shone upper
most that ! WAS his Ibis alone.
| Love, to me, has always been sae
cred thing. Like the hidden violet
that breathes its perfume in some low
ly vale, or deep, sequestered nook
charming the senses Of the solitary pas
ser-by, and not to be fiaunted in tile
broad light of day. ''aH 4i'A'.' 2
shall pass over those few blissful
moments of heart communion ;
ments that come but once in lifetime
and almostmake q Heaven upon earth,
In the secret chambers of'my soul they
are treasured still, the only salace OF
my weary life. Alas! that could SO
soon and so rut}ilessly trample upon
such love!
stood with my sister at the door of
the reception room, to greet the enter
ing guests. A few were strangers;
most of them were known to ME, eli
theI personally or by reputation. The
moments wore on, and was about to
relinquish my position, which was be-
coming wearisome, when l observed
numerous bright Chances directed to.
N"io thc NcStiouiS, anu itiHttuHtlis
Colonel Ruthven was announced. We
had never met, bnt had heard him
described as gentleman of fine phys
iaue and most fascinating manners,
possessing a cultivated taste and high
intellectual endowments.
Had not my heart already enthloned
its hero, l must have been inevitably
forced to the conclusion that he was
the visible embodiment of every manly
grace and virtue. The introduction
over, took his arm, gracefully prof
fered, and we premenaded the long
suite of apartments, my foolish girl
heart tlrrobbing with feeling of tri-
umph and supreme satisfaction, as l
remarked, though without seeming to
do so, the envious chances that assail-
ed me on every side. Presently the
band struck up q lively waltz. "Do
you dance, Miss L2y he inquired.
l replied that that species of amusel
ment had been, with many another,
interdicted by my physician, but that,
owing to the greatly improved state OF
my health, I might consider the prohi-
bition entirely removed. @1 '].i@
Colonel Ruthven rejoined, that he
rarely danced himself, but if 1 would
honor him for the next waltz, he wonld
gladly make reservation in my favor,
with much more to the same effect.
/ hesitated moment, and ouly q
moment; the temptation was toe
strong; Ic0uld not resist it. Oh, John
john !--evcn now, see the look o
sorrowful reproach in those clear eyes
as he leaned with careless grace agains
one of the marble columns that dividet
the parlor from the ante-rOom. can
not tell what evil spirit tempted me
knew that John did not object t,
dancing in itself. The mere act @
moving in graceful measures to TIL
sound of music he considered perfect
harmless; but he did object to it, o.
account of its pernicious consequences
late hours, and the tendency to exces
sive indulgence. The round dances Ii
condemned in toto. and conld npve