New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-11
strange in gentlemen bringing their wives

II know; but when l saw Mrs. Cha,
, field, only three months ago, she was tn
verlest shadow, poor soul! half dead wit
consumption. / can't think how she has re
vved sufficiently in this short period t.
visit Washington. / am sure she never e1
pected to do SOL
=" Perhaps she is dead, and the gallan
General has taken another said Jenny
Oh! NO; that would be monstrous
You know l have been in the far Yves
hunting, with Uncle JEFF, and it was in
town in Nebraska where | saw Genera
Chatfield's wife. They were boarding, OF
rather. she was-for she told me her hus
band was north transacting government
DuSlness-and l never should have mad
myself known only saw gorgeous full
length portrait of the General in oil, ant
knew him in moment. Mrs. Chatfeld is
tall, intelligent woman, and must have beef
very handsome once. She worshlps hel
husband. Well, shall be very glad to re
new the acquaintance"
At that moment there sauntered toward
them a little, dried up mummy OF man
brilliantly arrayed. and who, rumor SAD
was fishing very industriously for the rich
widow.
"You ladies will have to look to your lau-
rels," he said, with smirk. - have seen
General Chatfields wife. Heavens and
|
some sunny Southern garden. never
gazed upon a fairer face, pom my honor
| never"
Mrs. Clio Marshall looked bewildered;
Virginia Harold, who was beauty, and a
petted one, shrugged her white shoulders.
Strange" said Mrs. Marshall, when she
spoke. us she tall and rather elderly!'
The little man laughed, as he twirled his
watch chain.
| Sweet sixteen not an hour over; not
| that yet, if l am judge. Must have found
| her in some parsonage, or at school, and
| married her at sight l would, blame me :
| such pretty creature! But you'll see her
at dinner, and there's the gong"
Mrs. Clio Marshall adjusted her fiounces
with dexterous shake, and gave the finish
| ing touches to chain, and laces, and brace
| let's; Lady Goss ratified dreadfully, as she
went forward to hook her arm within that
of very high-nosed old gentleman; and
Virginia Harold, all grace and gentleness,
knowing that the dinner was her hour of
triumph, moved gracefully on by the side OF
Mrs. ClOtilda Marshall.
Beautiful as picture" said the latter,
after they were well seated, looking down
the long table. There's no denying it.,
Jenny; but not his wife. Oh, no; impos-
sible %
HE couldn't have two, you know whis-
pered Jenny, choosing from trio of gentle
men, all intent ON serving her. II shouldn't
like to think the worst of him." and then
she looked long, liberal look, that by some
people might be called a stare at the rose
bud girl to whom the gallant General di-
rected all his attention.
mo style-nOt a bit-tbOugh some repose
of manner" she added, under cover of sip
ping water; "a country girl, as sure as you
live. And he, he's like lover. See how
he anticipates every want; look he scowled
at the waiter for spilling drop of water on
her precious hair. Oh, dear! there's too
much of it. But the General don't seem a
day older, and he ia handscme-a regular
Adonis-yet. How she appears to worship
him Clio, dear. what can it meanl'
1t means that there's rascality some
where" muttered the widow under her
breath, land l mean to find it out"
That evening the parlors were brilliant
with company. There were ravishing tot
lets from New York; languishing So uthern
beauties; strong featured English travellers,
extremely reserved in their manners: two
elegant twin sisters from California; Lady
Goss; the only titled woman present, all
slyly taking notes of each others dresses;
all secretly conscious of looking little bet
ter than the rest.
Mrs. Clio Marshall, who generally had the
pick of the company about her, had been
captured by bright little brunette-a
bride. who had journeyed few miles with
the General and his wife-to whom Mrs.
Marshall lent an attentive ear.
$50 sweet and pretty, and utterly W.
worldly" said the brunette, as Virginia
Harold slipped into chair which she had
rolled toward them. ''She must have been
quite recently married" she continued. ''for
country home, and pa l even had de-
scripton of pa who is a noble-looking old
man, very pale and tall, and a clergyman.
He has a long. white beard, and blue eyes,
and his hair shines like silver. According
to her statement, she was his one eve lamb,
and / hope General Chatfeld viii keep on
being good to her. Any one can see that he
is over head and ears in love with her just
now"
IL told you that she was a country girl"
chimed in Jenny Harold.
Mrs Clio Marshall bit her lip and tapped
the rich carpet impatiently with the tip OF
her pointed shoe.
I'm sure don't know what to make of
it," she said dreamily and little aside.
Just then there was a stir and rustic.
General Chatfield was entering, and every
body turned TO see the bride, whose beauty
had made so strong an impression.
She came in, leaning on the Generals
arm-a wee thing, scarcely up to his mill
tary shoulders. Quite equal to the moment
she seemed, and utterly unconscious Of the
furOr she was exciting.
Her face was brilliantly beautiful and
tritle arch The complexion was faultless;
the teeth CLEAN of white light under the
exquisite tinting of her lips; her smile took
one captive; her hair, confined by a slender
golden wire, fell in prOfusiOn upon neck and
shoulders. and shOne like amber in the over
flow of light. She was dressed in rich blue
silk. among the folds of which her Olsen
gagged arm shOne enchantingly white, as
she gracefully lifted the long, sweeping
train.
The Characterization lover-went the
whole length of the room before he was
brought to halt by Mrs. Clio Marshall's
glittering eyes. The rich widow had risen,
nervOusly: her hand rested on Virginia Ha-
rold's shoulder, and the young girl could
feel that she trembled.
Mrs. MARSHALL" he said, with pleased
smile. Lilly, this is a friend of mine: Mrs.
Marshall, Mrs. Chatfeld."
1--WE saw each other sometimes in the
hospitals, a year or two ago. said the wild
dow, her voice and smile constrained as she
spoke to the young wife.
"Yes, you can't think how good Mrs. Mar
shall was, Lilly" said the General; and
turning to the widow, 'yOu remember Cap
tain-poor Captain Nolen! What time we
had at that mess dinner, eh! and the cap
tured wine, and the preserves! Wasn't it
Jolly! Poor Captain is dead-perhaps You
knew! Died out in Nebraska"
Indeed, RESPONDED Mrs. Marshall: Il was