Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine 1860-02: Vol 60 Iss 2

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GODEY’S Ladys Book and Lagasine PHILADELPHIA, FEBRUARY, 1860. IN TIME OF WAR. BY ANNIE FRAUST. (See plate.) “Saati you be at the cadets’ ball, this eve- ning?’ said Cora Hart to her Cousin Nellie, as they sat together in the latter’s room at Coz- tins’ West Point Hotel. ma) yes, balls all winter, balls all summer! Lwish mother would go into the backwoods, for a few months, to rusticate.”” And Nellie Hart threw herself on a sofa, as if entirely weary of such dissipation. “Now, Nell, how ungrateful! the belle, last winter ?’’ “Nonsense, Cora !’’ “Well, look your prettiest this evening; these ‘milintary’ men, as our Irish girl calls them, are quite fastidious. Wear white and curls, ”’ “Can’t. My hair positively refuses to curl ii warm weather.” _ “Mine don’t; I can’t get the curls out of it.”’ And Cora shook down a mass of black ringlets over a saucy, piquant face. “Cora, who was the gentleman who stopped you in the hall this morning, after breakfast ?”’ “Lieutenant Wilde. You repeat his ques- tion. He stopped me to inquire who was the fxquisitely beautiful blonde that arrived yester- day. Now, Nell, take care; the Lieutenant is at present devoted to me, so don’t intrude.”’ “But, Cora, Henry ?” “Oh, Henry is at home. I must flirt with fomebody. Because I am engaged, must | turn nun ?”’ “But Henry will be here to-morrow.” “I shall have dismissed the Lieutenant by that time.” VoL. Lx.—10 Were you not | | | | | | J | **O Cora! Cora!’’ **O Nell! Nell! Hark! the dinner-gong, and Iam yet in my wrapper. By, by!’’ And the little brunette flitted.from the room. The large ball-room was brilliantly illumi- nated, and gay groups were clustered in various parts, chatting, flirting, some dancing. Two tall, handsome men, in lieutenant’s uniform, stood near a window, conversing. They were half hidden by the falling curtains, and criti- cized freely the company already assembled. ‘*See, Clarence, there is your last flame, Miss Hart. Who but her would dare to wear scarlet tissue Does she not look like some How beautiful she is, to-night! in summer. tropical flower ?”’ ‘* Look at her companion,’’ said Clarence. ‘* That is her cousin, Miss Ellen Hart, and the dignified lady in black crape is her mother.’’ ‘*Is she not loveiy? Those soft braids of fair hair, with the tiny, starlike forget-me-nots twisted so gracefully round her head, and that pure white dress! She is positively angelic !’’ ‘* Shall I introduce you ?”’ **Do, my dear fellow.”’ Arm in arm, they sauntered across the room. ‘*See, Nell,’’? said Cora, ‘‘here come Lieu- tenants Wilde and Harvey. You know Joe Harvey ?’’ ‘ec Yes.” ‘*They are coming this way. Now, Nell, if you dare captivate my Lieutenant— Ah, good- evening, gentlemen. My cousin, Miss Hart.’ The two lieutenants bowed low. Harvey 109