The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-05-12

| ana fingered at pleasure, now Watching the
silver Israel river tumbling down distant
steep, as if bent upon touching up the scene,
and anon the haymakers in the Jefferson
meadows, with the shadowy hills and prime
val forests for background, companioned all
the while by glimmering peak and neighbor-
ing scarp, about which sunbeams and clouds
wrought magic, while all the moods and
colors OF the passing hours lent themselves
to the effect. There had been a masquerade
at the Waumbek House the night before,
and the pillars of the verandah were draped
with evergreen, and the balustrade of the
staircase was decked with golden rod, and
the young ladies in the parlors were talking
over the last nights DISCUSSES and surprises,
and playing snatches of the wedding
march.
"I do not see any one know here" said
Mr. Langthorne, making the tour of parlors
and verandahs with Blanche on his arm. 81
expected" But what he expected did not
transpire. What a ride home it was, with
the sunset retouching the picture, with
twilight stealing upon them, bringing its
pensive stars-when they sang stanzas OF
old songs together, and quoted the poets they
loved best, and talked no end of pleasant,
familiar nonsense When they returned
Clara Clew was lounging on the piazza.
Blanche retired to change her riding dress,
and Mr.. Langthorne gave Clara his arm for
a promenade.
"And what have you been doing with
yourself, Miss Clew?" he asked, idly.
Little or nothing" she returned "But
there's no need to ask what you've been do
ing, Mr.. Langthorne. Prenez garde. What's
that old saw about playing with fire ?"
"Old saws have blunt teeth. You mean
about the burned child, eh? haven't been
even scorched."
"Nor 'shriveled in a fruitless fire Z? The
pitcher goes often to the well"
"You mix your metaphors. I'm at loss
to determine whether you consider me a
child or pitcher"
"It's plain you've been talking nonsense
all day, Mr.. Langthorne. But isn't Blanche
just splendid? ? She has no end of lovers,
you know. Perhaps she has talked to you
about Tristram Pennon, the witch?"
"Never. Pray tell me about him. Is he
interesting?"
Blanche seems to think so; there's an
understanding between them, you know"
"lndeed ?" and then there was call for
n Virginia Reel, and Langthorne and Clara
joined the dance.
The next morning brought new guests
Among them was q plain young lady and
her mother, the last of whom shook hands
with Mr., Mathews like an old acquaintance,
and walked directly to the Office to inspect
the register
"Ask them not to take off my trunks"
said she, turning to Mr., Mathews in some
trepidation. 81 shall proceed straight to
the Glen"
"But, my dear madam" he cxpostulated,
take your dinner first it is never wise to
decide upon any step on any empty
stomach"
"What, and Langthorne here My dear
Mr.. Mathews, how little you know mew
"But allow me to say that you have moth
ing to fear from Mr. Langthorne."
"Nothing to fea. how little you know
him! Hasn't he made my life burden for
the last eighteen months? Don't know
that he is miserable fortune-hunter, who
has bewitched my precious Isabella with
his heartless wles, so that she won't look at
any other man, gentle or simple ? Enoughl
don't talk to me about Langthorne | verify
believe he is ubiquitous"
"My dear FRIEND" pursued Mr.. Mathews,
che is at this moment at the summit OF
Mount Hayes with a party of ladies. Fol-
low me to the north side of the piazza and
there to boil their coffee see, trifle to the
left, Mrs. Vexer. And now let me whisper
TO you that he is head and ears in love with
the lady at whose feet he is possibly sitting
at this instant"
"An heiress, no doubt?"
| "Yes, and a beauty to boot. To tell you
the TRUTH | have a weakness for Langthorne
myself, in common with the young ladies.
do not believe him the mercenary wretch who
would marry for money without loving"
"But Isabella is plain, il she is my daugh-
ter, and Langthsrne loves beauty"
EVERY woman has her own little attrac-
tions, and a plain face is sometimes more
attractive than positive loyeiness, which is
apt to pail on the taste. Madame De Stael
was no beauty, you remember"
"But Isabella is not even Madame De
Stacl, You will not convince me of Lang.
thorne's disinterestedness. You have gone
over to the enemy, am sorry to see"
"Stay instead of that, | have espoused
your cause so heartily that | sent for Lang
thorne to come here myself, trusting to the
charms of Miss Deshler, who was dying of
enau and let me tell you that the spell has
ked every one in the house is remark
ing it. Now let me suggest that ifyou wish
to destroy Isabellas regard for him let her
remain and see him make love to another
woman. Nothing could be more eflectual,
believe me.
"There is reason in what you say. 1t will
be fearful ordeal for the dear girl, but bit
ter things are wholesome, and"
at will pay" laughed Mr.. Mathews
"and then Capt, Despard is coming to,mor-
row, and you will agree with me that he is a
match for queen. And did he not waltz
four consecutive times with your plain Isa-
bella at Mrs, Bulbs last reception in May
and send her a bouquet of Parma yiolets
next day? and string Of milky amber from
| Rome soon after ?"
And Mrs. Vexer allowed Miss Truth ia
conduct her to room.
One would have said it was an exceeding
ly wel-b bred party that met at breakfast next