Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-11-13

low and broken for it seemed as finer heart would
burst with suppressed emotion, and for the first
time they learned a lesson Of deceit
Ida was evidently embarrassed--she attempted
several times to say something piquant-but her
efforts failed
Did you receive note from US yesterday, Idar
asked Lizzie. FaisehOOd lrembled on the lips Of
Ida-she would have answered No, but, happily,
Helen saved her from additional sin by observing
We were afraid as we received no answer, that
il might have been lost
Ida blushed-murmured a few inarticulate
words, and changed the subject.
rs aunt at homei asked Helen, we should be
truly happy to see the sister OF our dear mother
i really do not know-ma is great gadder-
but will ask, replied Ida carelessly. Then ring
ing the bell she said TO the servant:
Your mistress is out, is she not, William
No Miss--yes Miss replied William evidently
at a loss how to interpret the look which Ida gave
him.
AT length it suddenly occurred to Ida that some
Of her fashionable clique might call. and she felt
ashamed Of the neat cottage sraws green wells, aud
plain black dresses Of her cousins
Come girls, she cried, come up into my dress
ing-room' she had not yet even asked them to
lay aside their bonnets) land tripping before them
she threw open the door Of her disordcred room
you will be much more at home here than in the
drawing-room take of your things now.
Lizzie glanced at Helen, who instantly replied :
NO. Ida. If you will be obligng as 10 let
one of your servants procure a carriage, we will
return to our lodgings
'Oh, certainly returned Ida Then you can
not remain here i--how strange-I am sory-so
you must got
The bell was rung-a cab ordered-and now the
heartless girl breaihed more freely At this mo-
ment the door opened and Mrs. Taylor, also IN
dtshdJiae, entered. Her daughter blushed crimson
as she said
Helen and Lizzie Moore, mamma
The girls flew into the extended arms Of their
aunt, who, kissing them afectionately, said:
My dear girls, am really delighted to see you
Il was sorry not to have had you here last even
ing. How much you look as your dear mother did
at your age Why are your bonnets not Off
Ida am afraid you have played the Indifferent
hostess-how long have you been here Ida, why
did you not call me 2 were questions which fell un-
interrupted from the lips of Mrs. Taylor, really
pleased to see her nieces.
No answer was returned Ida played with her
rindigrefte, and the sisters merely bowed.
Come, my children take of your bounets--or,
il you prefer, Ida will conduct you to your own
room-where you can arrange your toilette as you
wish-where arc your trunksr
i thank you, aunt, said Helen but must de-
cline your thunderstorm trunks are at the hotel
Cab is at the door, said William.
Why, what does this meant exclaimed Mrs.
Taylor, in unfeigned amazement--and she looked
at Ida for explanation.
For a moment Lizzie was disposed to make
known the true reason, but she glanced at the
confused, conscience stricken countenance of her
cousin, her better feelings trumphed. She check
ed herself and replied
We shall probably leave town in the morning
We were anxious to see you. il but for moment.
Goodbye, dear aunt-good-bye Ida,' aud, followed
down the stairs by the agitated and mortified moth
er, who suspected the TRUTH the girls quickly sprang
into the cab where all restraint being removed,
they wepi in each others arms over chilled afec-
tons, aud the worldly lesson they had received
Arrived at Bunker's they proceeded Immediately to
their room.
lent countenance of Mrs Van CORTLAND appeared.
May come in, my dearsl am glad TO find
you returned, for | have favor to ask of you.
Then, for the first time, perceivlng their saddened
features which traces of tears yet fingered, she
added Excuse me-but what has happened-are
your friends i'll what is the matlerP
Little accustomed TO assimilation, the girls knew
not how to eyade, as they could have wished, these
questions The experience of their kind friend
soon led her to surmise the truth, and the sisters
then related their little story.
My poor girls YOU did not expect this reception,
said the good lady, kissing them-'but comfort
yourselves, for be assured there are very many who
have suffered from the same heartessness. Dismiss
the subject from your minds-sueh people I'M
worthy those tears l must now make known my
request--to-night Forrest plays at the Park, and |
wish you to join my little partyhaye you ever at
tended the theatre 7
% no, my dear madam, thank you, cried Liz
zie clapping her little hands with delight, never
play o delightful
Then you will go my dears--thank you-come
TO my room when you are ready
Helen looked at Lizzie, and then blushng said
But our dress-we know not what is suitable to
wear on such occasions
% your dress, little prudel replied Mrs Van
CORTLAND, laughing. Why, in the first place, you
need not conceal that beautiful hair under any bon
net, aud for the rest your own taste will be your
best guide
At the appointed hour, with beating hearts and
happy faces Helen and Lizzie presented them
selves before Mrs Van CORTLAND, who, with a
smile of appreciation at their neat and modest APP
pearance, introduced them TO her niece and neph.
ew. who were to Join the party for the theatre
How different was this young girl from Ida !
OF trne patrician birth--accustomed only to the
most refined aud intellectual society--a mind rich
" endowed--a face and form of surprising lowell
ness-Miss Lindsey met the blushng girls with
true po,eness and graceful refinement, which at
once removed all restraint, and in few moments
both Helen and Lizzie wondered bow they could
chat thus easily with perfect stranger.
The party now drove 10 the theatre, where, il is
needless to say, everything seemed like enchantment
to the eyes oiour inexperienced young friends They
had not been long seated when a gay party took
possession of the opposite box.
There is Mrs Ellery--ook, HelenP said Liz
zie, as she recognized that lady, surrounded by a