A Final Triumph; or, A Lady Bachelor — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SHADOWS. — 11 CHAPTER IL SHADOWS. SITUATED on the Hudson River, about fifty miles from New York, isa grand old hotel. Within its walls have gathered, during the years gone by, some of the most dis- tinguished people of the age—those who had risen to great eminence in the army, in literature,.and in social circles; names hallowed by historic interest are associated with this grand old hostelry. It is not now the fashionable resort that it was; the great families go there no more, but their names are still associated with its past social glories. Some years previous (we wil] not now say how many) to the incidents related in our preceding chapter, a grand ball was in progress in this fine old hotel mansion. Its social prestige was even then on the wane, but there were a few representative families present. ‘The parlors, with their historic memories, were appropriately decorated, and the brilliancy of the scene was enhanced by the magnificent toilets of the ladies, together with many army officers in full uniform and glittering insignias. Every one appeared happy; but there was one sad heart there, over which the waters of bitterness were flowing. In the earlier hours of the evening a girl, not more than twenty, entered the parlors, and instinctively all eyes were turned toward her, attracted by her grace, beauty, and seeming joyousness. She met those who greeted her with a stnile that charmed the elder and bewildered the younger among the guests. And why should she not smile and be Gomichbooks (Eo)