New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-23
LITTLE BIRTHSTONE.
BY HARRIET PRESCOTT SPOFFORD.

So those styled her who seemed to know
best. But she was pretty Little Brim
stone. Prettyl Her lovers declared her
blazing beauty. But stranger might only
be attracted by the contrast of dark ski
and light eyes, to look again: but, looking
found her as blazing beauty az olive anG
carmine tints over soft outlines, as lumin
Gus gray and black-lashed eyes hiding thei,
brilliance under dropping, waxen lids, al
pearly teeth and alluring smiles could make
her. Round, supple, under sized, she in.
simulated herself wherever she would, and
whenever she did not fascinate as woman
she 0vercame as child.
But the worst of it was that she did hel
mischief with such an artless air that hey
very victims were at a loss to tell whether
she were guilty or guileless. Not so the
gOseips. With one accord they doomed
her, and among themselves forgot that her
name was Virginia Warren, and epOke of
her only as that Little Birthstone.
When Roger Harvey came to the borough
and decided to settle there, taking old DR..
Freeleigh's good will, it was agreed among
the matrOns that he was to undergo an
hands. If he we're tender. natured young
man, he might do as the divinity student
did, who was found drowned in Bruce
brock. If he was of sterner stuff--but that
made no difference-the sterner stuff had
gone down before Little Birthstone.
But when it was seen that the young
doctor had looked "a head and shoulders"
over Virginia, and had allowed his eyes to
rest on Louise Freeleigh, then the gossips
transferred their solicitude to the gentle
girl whose cheek WAS just painted with the
blush of her first happiness, and they only
hoped that Little Birthstone would let
Louise alone, and be content with her own
property. F little BrimetOne's property
was Q presumable though not yet de-
clared lover, Gilbert Allen, whom, perhaps.
because not sure Of his regard, she loved
with all the passion of her nature, which
did not, unfortunately, abate her endesvors
to seduce the affections of other lovers still,
since the excitement Of the game was dear
to her as the breath she drew.
As for Gilbert Allen, though drawn by
Virginia's beauty, he did not approve Of
her conduct. And it may have been sense
OF this that rendered her defiant and that
when DIR. Harvey was first seen in church,
made her balance whether it was worth
while to drag this new captive in her
chains. But when she heard he was likely
to marry Louise Freeleigh. that ended her
doubts. Of course she would let him know
that he had been precipitate. 1.-The civ
puss ~ she exclaimed. Gan the time he
negotiated with her fat Ger she used her
opportunity. If he finds be has been in a
hurry, tit will serve him right"
Simple, sweet Louise Freeleigh-as for
using her opportunity, it had never occur
red to her. gentle spirit, Overawed BY
her fathers sternness, the first moment that
the young doctor turned to her with defer.
Dntial courtesy to which she was all unused.
the first time she saw bis smiling face, met
his glance, that moment she telt, though
without recognizing the feeling, that he was
The only man in the world whose existence
mattered rush. And as for him, he went
back to the hotel that night repeating those
words from the Canticles, "ThOu hast doves
Dyes" He had not made many more visits !
20 the place, in the process of arranging the |
business with the old doctor, before he was
saying to himself, as he went home, the |
love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves |
syes." And by that time it was settled /
hat he was to take up his abode for life in |
ne house OF the doctor, who, on the day he |
'ame, was to give him Louise for his wife.
His wife! Louise sat with the letter
in her hands, in which he had
'poken of that fact Of the future. It did
lot seem possible; she had no lovers; she
thought herself unattractive; she had no
special talent. Why had she been chosen
or such happinesse She knew nothing Of
ne serenity OF her face, of her womanly
race, of her gentle and stately dignity,
hat seemed to arrest those that entered
or presence. Yet when Roger Harvey
anne the next night, and she greet
d him with first q movement of
or oltstretched arms, and then with
Ovncast eyes and the deep blush |
Owly mounting to her forehead, she |
,emed to him almost too fair, too pure
being for his love to approach Perhaps
r. Harvey remembered his companion in |
10 railroad Car, with her rich colors, her
musical voice, her fancies, her
eOriee, her regrets, her glances, and the
untless parcels OF her shopping excur q
ms 10 tOwn-remembered, too, the dis. I
ze and displeasure that trou bled him az a |
ave. stalwartIfellOw mo other than Gil Z
TT Allen) had stood ready TO assist the t
stty captivaoOr down at the end of the d
lrney. Certainly it would never have Il
used his mind that Little Birthstone was q
seraphic being for any ones love to ap- d
zach. b
But it was a delightful evening that he b