The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-09-02
SELECTED TALES.
From the Lady's Book,
THE ADOPTED DAUGHTER.
ATALE.
lcosTfSuED.1
sr MRS. MARY n. PARsors.

sr MRS. MARY II. PARSONS.
(cosriNurD]
One evening they set round the drawing
room FIRE, before candles were lighted, expect.
ing Mr.. Msrons return Mrs. Morton was
reclining far back iu . large easy chair, in
somewhat better humour than usual ~ith Mer.
adnh. and pleased with Emily, who sat near
upon an ottoman, conversing with the ANNA
ton tina, gave TO her soft and cbidlke features,
so striking and peculiar charm. Enthusiasm,
intelligence, and present enjoyment sparklsd in
her bright expressive eyes, aud gave TO her
coanisnanee tina, beauty the most Of all TO be
coveted, having i,s source in a gifted and feel
ing heart. Mersdnh sat in shadow, partly to
screen himself frsm Mrs. Morton's observation,
and that unno,ieed himself, he might look up
on Que whose loving and gentle face was ever
present in his waking hours, aud over The silent
night time, seemed lowering like his good an.
gel 10 guard from all sorrow and harm. Much
conversation passed between them, when Mera-
ditb addressed Mrs. Morton:
Shall you &c 10 Mrs. Liod.u's ball, to-mor-
row evening
We think OF it, she replied coldly. but do
not desert any Of the fair ladies' OF your 40.
| quaintsner on our account. Miss Sinclair snd
myself have serured Attendance
/ Indeed /" said Mersdth, in q voice Of sli .ht
vexation, may | ask, Miss Sinclair, who ha,
been 50 fortunate =
oh | am sure | cannot toll, unless il is
father, she exclaimed laughipgly, and hark !!
there Is his step upon the stairway and she
sprang lightly from her seat, met Mr.. Morton
at the door, and her bright eyes spsrtled with
delight Us she received his sffeciionats greeting
Il am sure there is not such another dauph
ter IN The city as mine : he said fsudly, as b..
passed his hand csressingly over her forehead /:
! Nor father who better deserves such one
added his wife, in a low gentle tone, while her
eye rested, in earnest love, upon the open aud
benevolent countenance Of her husband.
Thank you, E'il! aud be took the seat
next her. Come here, Emily, aud sit upon
this stool; see what have brought you love
for the dance tomorrow night He unclnsp-
ed small box he held in his hsnd, and held up
TO view rich set Of pearl. Beautiful . was
echoed on all sides, and very beautiful they we're.
u saw you weara dress, few evenings since,
to which those pearls would prove fitting sc-
eompa nim.nt,' said Mersdth.
! You mean the white satin and Grape = said
his uncle. Yes, old man as | am, was
struck with its appropriateness 10 EmiIy's style
! OF face and form; then we must have the white
dress and pearls for the b1lll'
Emily's dress is already decided upon said
Mrs. Morton, somewhat abrubtly; she wears
blue to- morrow evening"
But surely, my dear, she can change her
mind-no unusual thing for lady, you know.
Now Emily, let US have your opinion; which
shall il be, the white dress or the blue
Emily glanced timidIy at Mrs. Morton. but
could not see her face; designedly on the pau
OF the latter; she was too proud to add one
syllable to what had already been said but
waited none the less eagerly for Emily's deci,-
ion. Msradith saw the gentle girls hesitation,
and eselaimed-' You decide for her, my dear
uncle; depend upon it, the white would be in
better tsste-every way more suitable, and IL |
read Alright more aceepiible to Mi. Sinclair
We'll then, Emily, shall decide for you ,
ssid Morton.
\ II you ples.e-no, answered Emily
Mamma will your
i thought the matter settled was the reply,
in tone Of severity, and, al oil evsnl,, think
We are wasting time in \ most ridiculous man
per-let US have tea and the sharp, nervous
pull she gave the bell rope. TO order il 10, was
evidence enough Of the irritation OF her mind.
A most uncomfortable meal il proved TO all par
ties; poor Emily was dishssuened and unhsp-
py, and could scarce refrain from tesp--Mor-
too looked vsIed and ~esrisd, and his nephew
slms,t savage, as he from time to tim. glanced at
Mu Merton aod Emily. And what we're the
feelings Of Mrs. Morton She had ssnsibIlity
and tenderness Of character enough TO feel
deeply that she was the serpent in the domestic
Eden-thst but = lev moments before, Ill ~sre
happy around her; but the working Of an up.
governed temper had polluted tho fsi, scene oi
ENJOYMENT, and turned toto sorrow and biu.r.
nss, the kindly feelings that filled the minds oI
each. Pride came 10 her s,d. giving her
strength 10 conquer the mental torture con.
sei.3ce vas in6ciing she hardened her heart
spd believed against conviction. that Heradiih
va. the cause Of al.
: Through The ensuing day Mrs Merton made
ns sIlusion TO tb. dress, but told Emily With
much eoldnsss Of manner, that che expected
her 10 90 IN the evening. Late in th. sGsr
s.os. Kmily vent down stair,, TO seek her; sh.
vas not 10 the dra~ins room, bs, Mersditt
sss and p. he hssded her q chair, he sa,d sb
rsbily - You loos pale, Miss Sinelsr-al
: r.nst III [ dnnh, mai th.t ahn.nin.hLs d,sc us