The daily gazette., 1881-12-24

E. B. BROWNING.
II was a splendid spectacle, that
sn,ons masquerade ball, which was
"iven as the valedictory Of the old
snd The salutatory Of the new year,
a, the opening of one Of the most
br;lliant seasons our national capital
had ever seen.
A great war had ended.
A removed military commander
vas at the head Of our government,
with council selected from among
tbe most eminent statesmen Of the
nation. and diplomatic crops of the
most distinguished ministers from
foreign countries.
Certain illustrious personages of
,oyal rank or lineage-a Brazilian
emperor, Russian grand duke, and
n Bourbon priuce-were among the
transient and honored guests Of the
city.
Besides these, there we're gathered
at the capital the usual winter multi
lude OF noted politicians, fnanciers,
authors, artists, beaux, beauties,
leaders of fashion and queens of
society.
Conspicuous among these bright
lights Of the world, were two who
we're termed-one the "lion," and
The other the "belle" of the season.
They were both young, handsome,
gifted, aud one was wealthy.
The name OF the first mentioned
was Tudor Hereward. He was an &C.
compished scholar, an eloquent ora
tor, a rising statesman and although
but twenty seven years Of age, he
was already an aole party leader IN
the national House of Representa-.
tyes. In person he was tall, fair and
stately.
His dress was always faultlessly
neat, and even fastidioasly dainty.
His manners were reserved and
cold, except when he was warmed
urin debate on the floor of the House
Of Representatives, when he would
often seem TO be transfgured, and
inspired with a splendid and burning
tloquence, Men predicted for him
IN nlIlustrious future. He was now,
has been said, the "lion" of the
hason
The "belle" of the winter was Leda
Won Kirschberg, the only child and
hemess Of Jacob Ven Kirschberg,
head OF the great banking house OF
that name.
She was beautiful, stately blonde,
with brilliantly blooming complex
,on, sparkling, purplish blue eyes, q
,haA aquliiDe nose, pouting ruby
Ps, and shining, ripping auburn
hair.
Her dresses were the happiest "in-
splrations' Of Worth and OF Pingeu,
snd the envy and despair of her rivals.
heI manners were at once dignified
s0d gracious.
80 much for the social status and
PERSONAL appearance of the ''lion" and
Ile belle" of that respler dent scene
and season.
10 say that nearly all the young
.aaies were more or less infatuated
win the "lion," and that quite all the
sSung men were in love with tn,
oele, would be but o faint state
0ent of the situation.
And that these two were utterly de
Nal "pp
olt ali for ''the course of tru,
we there was an insurmountabl,
r'1'aole m'na, in the way of its happy ter
~palion va in marriage.
tue ,ae oele OF the season was a be.
uolhed maiden
h. ine l TACT was not generally known
,n. W 1t uad not been ostentatiously an
esuuoea sou IN the society column of tn
,Sv'"spapers, NV but Miss Won Kirsch Der,
NJ. va' really M engaged to be married t,
mn,t , Nicholas Bruyin, "a millionaire
Sso aCp richer and very much olde
~Su her own father.
90 You See
had ne ~ ancient bridegroom expectan
And And not come with the widowed fathe
tu au 'notherless daughter to Washing
hs r' 30 mat few in the city knew O
knss s'est man 8 existence, and non
and ~, VI MS relations to the beaut
b.- neast of all did Tudor Herewart
Pn, H Gevoted ie knight, suspect the truth
6ns he mad done so, be sure that hi
dan IeAse b. OF honor would have forbio
S rnh. nlm to trespass on the sacre
msu, nsuIs of the betrotbed lover by 10
nsidsn a'tentions to the betrothe
IN soi ,.,.. Tudor Hereward was ipnorar
the mnR and innocent in winnin
Eirscbftassioned heart of Leda We
b" "uy she had concealed the fact
,Ss hM.as,rlage engagement, and wi
The ero,, I encouraged and even invite
ward ',uSlVe attentions of Mr.. Her
uuders,"% perhaps, not difficult
noI;s NJ Tue first instance II was nrobab
htr to s son, more than vanity prompt,
The a,tan., eK TO attract and monopoli
.ocielv InIlons ,nons Of the most brillia
he meant man at the capital. Possib
ultinatau o, no harm at all, and had
plays AZ "alc "uolect in view. But she WI
Before nlrtlng" plays with Gre.
ruth sHo she was we'll aware of t
Anon,s sue rs mad not only captivated /
ineyo's. young Statesman. bnt she h
heart yaoly lost, to him, her o,
si,'n. Sns that she had M ,0t.n.,on
lpparent i Aer hand was soon gu
Ie.r, the thsu' ~ Of the last day in the
9aI, given Ii,gat Of the masquers
ID new V" M. oy Senator s., is his sple
yOarte, of ofusion, a. In the northw
'eslde ,bsiah .he city, was destined
''' Won Kirschbero and ", IT,,