The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-01-07

mG>ta NStOeSs
Morton, have some idea Of get
Ting married." said my friend, Charles
Spencer, rs We sat alone ono evening
on the cool piazzs in f:ont Of my
bachelors hall"
lyon will never cease TO regret u,
] rrlicd. i.
villa, Is the cause Of this cherished
prejudice against womang he inquir-
ed.
II will tel YOU. though never
thought could bring myself to SPEAK
Of II, So hamiliaiing is the tale. On
the seventh Of October, 1856, Mrs.
Frank Talbo;'s drawingrooms present.
ed a scene If gaye,y that could not
have failed 10 satisfy any devoiee OF
Measure found within her walls. There
kings ard queens, knights and ladies,
pretty little peasants. whose pictures
que costumes bespoke them from the
mountains Of Tryol, but who were
strangely wanting in the foreign ac'
cent, In one corner stood a young
Quakcrcs., holding an animated con
vcrsation with a grayhaired monk in
another the Dawn Of Morning and
Goddess of Liberty were endeayorine
80 outrival each other in the good
uraccs Of a dashing young fop of the
sixteenth century. To my right stood
Jeanette and Jeannot; TO my left
Rcd-Riding-hood, forgetful of cheese,
cake, and grandma, was lingering 10
airt with a bashful minctrel, whose
f,!teriug tongue failed to express the
sentiments of admiration she inspired
within him. As l stood silently OBJ
,,rving the scene, and vainly cndevor-
ing to discover one beloved form
among ,he masked figures around INC,
a low, musical voice broke upon my
ear, and, turning hastily around. ]
found myself confronting quecnly-
looking nun.
II beg pardon for interupting
YOUR reverie, monsieur, she said' in
French, but the message l lear VIII
procur, my forgiveness. Miriam
--,--.---- -.ha~ Queen nf
whom your soul pays willing homage,
has arrived, ard requests your attend
ance.'
"SAe paused, and l cazed at her in
blank amazement. Who was she |?
How did sho become possessed Of a
secret l had never whispered to my
dearest fricnd-no, not even to the OBJ
jcct Of my passion although my actions
must have given her reason TO suppose
Twas not Indifferent to or? ! ran
over the complete list, Of my lady ac-
auaintances, and, as far as my hnowl-
edge extended, not one Of them could
speak French. Puzzled. perplcxed, ]
nevertheless, after moments hesita-
tion, received to test her knowledge OF
myself by assuming nonchalant mir,
and care,essly observed that she must
be mistaken in regard to my identity.
as could not claim the honor of an
with the Queen If Night
and was about to add, in an insinua- !
ting tone: II desire no lovclier |
queen to whom TO pay my homage |
than she who stands before me, when
n, interrupted the complimentary |
'pe,,h by pointing to the open door,
and cxclaimine -
See, there she comesr
"lnyoiuutaIily 1 glanced in the di-
rcction indicated, but n group of
airies, with gau7e-likc wings and
Iloating drapcry. intercepted my view
but mAmcnt, however. They sud
,mly Parted to the right and left, re-
vsaling young girl, whose starry
lress and glittcring crescent proclaim
d her, indeed queen Of the night. One
rlancc Was sufficient to convince me
hat l was gazing upon my beautiful
Miriam and even had ! doubted il
DR. a poment, a glimpse which
aught las she unconsciously raised
err hand to her brow Of pearl
racelet lad frequently seen her wear
fould beln have proof conclusive. i
urnel to address nay companion; she
ad disappeared. In vain did i
earch for her Though the crowded
ooms. | did not however. loose
ight Of Miriam. While ] still pom.
cred on the words of the nun. she ell
cred a small conservatory opening
nio the garden, whittier ! followed
or. had purchased an exquisite
uoquei in the early part of the even
,g, and now presented il to her,
lying:-
"will your royal highness deign to
,cept from the most humble Of slaves
lis token VI his respects aud esteem 7
"Thauk you ? she said, in strange
effected tone.
"Ahp thought !, she imaein's v
at I hays not recognized h' E. Il
fer mouenis' hesitation. NJ thou &
2 fs-se lr' voice might beiray her r.
cputiausai- "