{"character_count": 5297, "word_count": 950, "ccnet_language_score": [0.9857000112533569], "ccnet_perplexity": [1423.0], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}
I w nat Is So ilS OIdDIC 10 love DIS Ottii-
room? and what ballroom is so dangerous as
that of West Point? Both Ellen and Stanley
were soon lost 10 every thing except each
other. They danced together, and promenad-
cd in company, until they became the objects
of whispered though general remark. Before
the festivities Of the evening had terminated,
it was universally gossipped about that the
beautiful Miss Bevoir, and the hitherto heart
free Captain Stanley, had mutually fallen iii
love. Some affected to sncer at it; some
wondered how it did happen; but all agreed
that two were the finest couple in the room,
and were admirably fitted Cor each ether.
The gossip OF a BALLROOM was for once,
right. Ellen Belvoir had passed three winters
since her coming out, without meeting with
any one to subdue her virgin heart; but from
the first moment she Stanley, she felt a
strange interest in him. His gallant bearing,
| his polished manners, his fine conversational
po" ers, and above all certain iranl<ness OF
| department toward her, so different from the
sickening nattery daily poured into her ears,
| appealed at once to her fancy, and soon sub
| dued her Judgement. She felt that Stanley was
one 70 whom she could look Gp, and she knew
that only such a character could possess her
love-. His eloquent tones vibrated in her
ear 5 long after they had paited FOR the night,
|
form bending adniringIy over her.


Stanley had been equally charmed with bis
partner. Years had elapsed since he had
been appointed TO one OF the stations on the
far Vest a.d during that period be had been
| completely excluded from refined female So
ciety. lie occupied the time in picturing to
himself the beau ideal of e being such as be
could choose for wife On his return to the
east he had met many lovely beings whose
attractions his friends thought him incapable
Of resisting; but nearly year had passed
even less susceptible than on his return. He
had sought in vain to realize his romantic
dreams, and finding it impossible, was con-
tent to enjoy the reputation Of confirmed
| bachelor. Now, hdsever, he thought he had
met the divinity which he had so long adored
in secret for, in Ellen Bevoir, he fancied
he saw every trait which he sought to have in


in wife. Is be became more Intimate with
the lovely girl, he grew more confirmed in his
first impression; and, after fortnights So


ourn at West Point, where Miss Belvoir had
been passing the summer, Stanley became
completely in love. Nor was Ellen less
enamorated fthe young officer, whose gallant
bearing attracted her eye, and whose services
in the field had already won for him an envia-
ble name. When, therefore, Stanley propos-
ed for her hand, Ellen accepted it, for she was
and orphan and an heiless, aud already in
possession Of her property. 1t was arranged


that the wedding should take place the ensuing
winter.


The lovers at length parted bnt only for two
short months, preparatory to their future mar
riace. Business called the lieutenant to Wash
inetodl, while the eflianced bride accompanied
by her cousin, returned to Boston, by the way
! of AIbany


the hs ih ff5a hss savsed Hbt af5 A up at
1 a neat ptE e house in one of those quiet vii
lagos which are scattered through Massachu-
sets. They had journeyed the whole day
through the mountains, and the sight OF the
white inn, with its green Venetian shutters,
and its pretty garden in the rear, all betoken-
inc the t;dness of the owner, was peculiarly
refreshing to the travellers. The pleasant
looking widow lady who net them at the door,
increasettheir delight with the place.


a sweet village you have here" said the
gentleman on alighting, as he followed the
landlaiy to small but exquisitely neat par
Ior.


eyes, sir, although it is SMALL" az wered
the landlady; 6 it is rarely that we have many
strangers visiting here, and SO the place Is
much as it was in the days of our fathers.


There was something in the low, sweet mod
ulated tone of the speaker, which made the
interrogation start. Surely that voice belong
ed to no common innkeeper's widow. There
was that finish in the tones which was the su
rest evidence Of refined miad. His cousin
seemed to nntice this also, for when the land
lady Had retired, she said


Our hostess is certainly above the com
mon order-onc would almost think she hae
been born a lady, and transformed by some


malignant genius into a common innkeeper'


widow


/ 'sShe is obv vo,sly awoman Of education
f perhaps some one whom distress has driver
to this business for livelihood She has no
always kept an inn, be assured, cor
; f" Still, nothing ought to have induced he
, to stoop TO SC degrading an occupation," sal
t his fair cousin, her prejudices at once takin
f alarm there are ways enough in which a
: impoverished lady can obtain a livelihood
= without resorting to the trade OF. an innkeep
: er. PsAaw2 coz, you wrong after all
It the f,e,> >,f her having adopted this business
IS sn Meisnt proof that shs lS nat a..
Whe{l, after an hours rest, they met at sup
per, thhy were ushered into neat room,


door from which opened into an apartment be


yond, apparently a bed room. This door wa


agar, disclosing portrait hanging on an op


poslte wall. The light in this inner apartment
was somewhat dim but E'lIen could distino