The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1841-09-04
From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier.
THE BRIDESMAID.
AN AMERICAN TALE.
By a Lady Of Marylmd.

By Lady Of .Narylmd.
In the small parlor of neat little cot
tagc, in the beautiful village of Ashton.
were seated an aged lady and young
girl The former was engaged in needle
work, and the latter was listlessly turn
ing over the leaves of book.
"Why have have you not taken your
usual walk this morning, Alicc?" said the
old lady.
"Because," answered her companion,
81 am weary of walking where there is
nothing to be seen. | am tired Of living
in this dull pace, and of associating with
the vulgar people who inhabit ito
The complaints of the young lady
were interrupted by the entrance of a SER
want, who presented letter.
'Who brought it?'' said Miss Lee
ut was brought by gentlemen, ma'am,
who refused to come in, but said he would
call in the evening"
Alice examined the direction of the let
ter, and exclaimed joyful, SIT is from Isa-
bell" she opened it, and read in as follows:
Dearest .Qlicc,-Do you remember that
when at school together, we made pro-
mise to act as bridesmaid to each ether;
should either oGus ever require such Il ser
vice. now claim the fuliilment Of your
promise. This letter will be delivered
by him who is the betrothed Of your
friend. lie has some business in your
neighborhood, and have gladly availed
myself of the opportunity of writing to
you, and Of introducing him TO your
friendship. | had almost forgotten to tell
you his name: it is Edward Herbert, and
his home is in New Orleans; of course it
will in future be mine. Herbert thinks
his business in Ashton will be concluded
in week. lie will then return to Frank
lin, and hope you will accompany him.
Your society, my beloved friend, is all
that is wanting to complete the happiness
Of your ailectionate
| "lsABEL GREY"
The pleasure with which Alice peruscd
this letter, was not uumiXcd with other
sensations Sand So Isabel is to be mar
ried so soon! 1t is scarcely year since
she left school, and she is not at all pref
ty, Casting, as she spoke, glance at the
mirror, which reflected her own beautiful
face but she is rich, and she has an OPP
portunity mingling in fashionable soci-
ctyn' And Alice retired TO her chamber,
to muse over the happy prospects of her
friend, and to lament the poverty which
compelled her to ''waste her sweetness on
the desert air''
Alice Lee had been deprived by death
of both her rents,while she was a child.
Since that time she had been under the
protection ola maiden sister OF her fathers
whose narrow circumstances compelled
her 10 reside in the obscure village OF Ash
ton. The old lady was exceeding y
proud of her beautiful niece, and by her
njudicious indulgence and undisguiscd
admiration, she increased that vanity
which was the predominant feature in the
character Of the latter.
!; Herbert came in the evening, and with
an almost unconscious coquetry Alice az
rayed herself most tastciully to receive
the lover of her friend, and she was graft
fled to perceive that Herbert was struck
with admiration of her really beautiful per
son. He was fne-looking young man
and his manners and conversation were Sc
superior to those Of the rustic swans witt
whom she had been accustomed TO asso
ciate, that Alice was completely fascna
ted.
The ensuing morning brought lIerber
again TO the cottage, and, after day pas
scd in his society, Alice sighed as she re
membered his engagements with he
: friend; and she could not help thinking
that had she met him while he was yet FIRE
she might herself have been the object O
his affection. His admiration of he
evidently increased with every intel
view, and the week appointed for his sta,
in the neighJorhood had passed away
and yet no mention had been made of hi
o intention to return to Franklin.
= Meantime the anianced bride ofIIerbel
o passed the time of his absence in dream
!; of future happiness, somewhat chastene
= by regrets at her approaching separatlo
: from the friends of her youth and til
h scenes in which her happy childhood ho
C passed.
J Isabel Grey was not beautiful, but 81
Il had an open, intelligent countenance,
cheerful disposition, a most anectiona
r heart, and large fund of good sense, an
DC correct principle. She was only sevel
"a teen, and Herbert had been her first love
n She loved with all the Warmth of a YOU
We unpractlsed heart, nor did her meXpel
J enccd eye detect in her lovers charact