Year: 1860

subject of general interest, furnishing, rs
il did, either new victim for the hsrpies
to prey on, or else an antagonist in theil
own field.


After my sojourn at C had beer
of some eighteen months, duration, there
appeared in our midst a man who called
himself Ross, and as he made tempora.
ry stoppage at the miserable tavern, il
soon became known that he was accom-
panied by his wife. Each person who by
accident obtained glimpse at her was
Immediately filled with admiration at the
extraordinary character of her beauty,
and, in accordance with the unconvention.
al habits Of the place, several, when oc.
casion permitted, spoke to her, with a
view of opening an acquaintance, bui
were met with such freezing reserve oil
scornful disdain as made them shrink from
second effort.


This somewhat singular conduct excl.
ted general curiosity, of which confess
to have felt my share; but when | saw
her the only wonder was that the thought
of such an intrusion should ever have
suggested itself to any one.


Such regal beauty as she possessed is
seldom met with even in the entire space
of lifetime. In the Oriental splendol
of her loveliness she looked Zenobia
but, alas ! in chains. Not saddened oil
downcast, though, by misfortune, but
hard, naughty and defiant, as though she
stared fate in the face and dared its worst


Every movement Of her stately form,
every pose of her graceful limbs, even
the flow of her dark, plain garments, had
an undulating ease, and yet classic Sc.
verify, that repcled while it charmed
and to person of ordinary penetration,
no second glance was needed at the fierce
pressure of the crimson curves OF her lips,
and the eager flash of the dark, lustrous
passionate eye, to know that all the past
that lay behind her was filed with hide
Gus and hated remembrances. What lay
in her future it came to me to know, and
blasted rs must have been the green
boughs of her glorious youth. by some
lightning stroke of fate, it could not have
been more appalling than what succeeded
in her tragic life.


Standing one day with Percival on tn,
steps of the tavern, idling away pleas
ant hour, as I accidentally glanced in a
the door, saw Mrs. Ross, bohnetted ant
shawled as il for walk, coming dowl
the wide hall.


Having become familiar with Perci
vals sybarite tastes, l felt curious t.
know how he would be affected by th
unexpected sight of such remarkable bean
ty, and fixed my observation on hin
rather than the lady.


Tie was leaning carelessly against th'
rough pillar at tho top of the steps, anc
did not see her until she had passed a
least half the width of the gallery; then
look Of wonder, of admiration and o
respectful Difference, chased each Other
rapidly across his face. and as he raised
himself to an erect position, he lifted hi
hat from his head until she had gone by
AS he turned to me with an inquirinG
glance, ] said:


"Mrs. Ross, of whom we have hcardn


He recovered himself while Twas speak
ing, and replied carelessly:


"A somewhat unusual vision in this
place" and soon after strolled away tC
his business.


From that day I observed he sought
the acquaintance of Ross, whom hitherto
he had avoided, and when in few weeks
after, Ross announced his intention o.
residing permanently in our midst, and
carried it into execution by taking lit
tie house not far removed from the bust
ness part of the village, and fitting it III
in such rude way, as the stores and hi'
apparently limited purse would permit
Percival commenced accompanying hin
home, and soon became his constant Wis
itor.


AS a matter of course, I knew there
would be no congenality between the
two men, and Just as naturally the thought
arose that it was the society of Mrs. Ross
Percival sought,


If any such desire prompted his course
he was too circumspect to attract general
observation, and it was only at rare in
tervals that she was seen with her hanC
resting in his arm, taking an evening
stroll through some of the sylvan groves
that encrouched upon the borders of th'
village, or else driving with him in hi'
elegant buggy, then and there an article o
luxury but seldom found


Chance threw no opportunity in my
way of becoming ackuainted with Mrs
Ross, though unconsciously, almost,
felt glowing interest in her, and Otter
puzzled myself to interpret expressions
of fierce defiance and wisttul longing that
seemed intermingled on her face. J. tried
to solve the feelings that animated Per
cival toward Ross; and Notwithstanding
that each day saw them meet as boon
companions Notwithstanding that in
the then universal habit of play knew
Percival repeatedly, in the face of his
well known skill, most unskilltully tc
lose large sums to him, and yet invite
him again to game, | thought | could se'
through all the apparent friendship, al
through himsy disguise, a deep contemp
and bitter hatred.


Several months passed away without
any incident in their intercourse coming
to my knowledge worth narrating, unti
one day Percival called in at my office
and after some desultory conversation
said, somewhat hesitatingly, 81 wish yo'
had power to minister to a mind dis
eased.'"


Thinking that perhaps he jested, l re
piled jocularly