Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-03-21
TIE coo ETTE.
ny HENRY p. onEEvER
CHAPTER /.

dress Of rich brocade, and above all, my
splendid present, this diamond broach-how
it ~glistens. The Lanes nor the Feltons, can
have nothing like it,--Oh, | shall eclipse
them all, | shall be the belle Of the evening
how delightful.
All this was uttered in one breath by FL
mira Warren, a charming young lady of
eighteen, as she viewed her whole length
figure in a splendid mirror before her.
Why, Eliza, are you not ready yeti Oh,
dear me, the carriage will be here in a few
moments, and then we shall have to wait for
you.
You shall not wait for me, cousin Elmira,
l shall be ready in time.
But you are not going TO wear that simple
white dress TO night, are you Elizai asked
the proud Elmira, as she looked from her
own splendid dress, TO the neat and snowy
white attire of her cousin, Eliza Morrill,.
Certainly, dear cousin, | shall wear tit
becomes me very well, and you know, that
my father cannot afford me the splendid
with a simple white gown. So saying the
beautiful Eliza bounded out of the room,
humming a lightsome air.
What a contented thing she is, exclaimed
Elmira, as her cousin left the room. Why,
if | should dress as she does, my beaux
would be few, and lar between-now, heav-
ens-l have more than | can please.
This bodice, it sets beautifully, and these
shoes, are fit for a queen. And the dashing
young lady promenaded before the brilliant
ly lighted mirrors, in all her pride.
You see, dear cousin, that | am ready,
said Eliza at that moment entering the room.
Elmira, you look charming to night. Oh.
if George could only see you now.
Say no more to me of George Ashburn,
said Elmira somewhat angrily, as she turned
and looked from the window. But here is
the carriage, come Eliza-bring my shawl
and don't soil your white dress. This was
uttered in a half laughing and half hooking
voice, as Elmira left the door in company
with a young gentleman who had entered.
Taking her seat in the carriage, she was
soon followed by the beautiful, but unpre-
tending Eliza Morrill,.
In a few moments they arrived at the place
lighted hall.
The door was opened. and the two young
ladies stepped forth. A crowd oflookers-on
had gathered round the entrance of the
building, and the young ladies we're subject
ed to their rude gaze.
BY George, she beats them all, in way of
dress, said one ofthe bye-standers, as Elmira
passed by them, into the building. Those
pearls, how they glistened, and that bracelet
nothing but a diamond could have flashed
like that.
These words reached the quick ears OF
Elmira who chuckled with delight at the
compliments, not meant for her ears. She
soon reached the hall, and forgot all, in the
crowd of fashion and the scene of pleasure
around her.
We shall 90 back two years. George
Ashburn at this time was the favored sutton
Of Elmira Warren. He was a tall, well
made young man, of fine expressive features
and most amiable disposition. In his
manners he was polite and affable, and well
calculated to win the affections Of all who
knew him.
The father of George had joined himself
with a large mercantile house, established il
the West Indies, and with his wife, and son
who was but fourteen years old, he Sc; on
for those islands.
A year after their arrival, the mother o
George died, and becoming DISCONTINUED
with the place, at the age of seventeen
George Ashburn took passage to Boston
Entering the store of the former partner o
his father, he devoted himself diligently L
business. Three years passed quickly by
and George Ashburn was the confidential
olo.L -, tha stora of HE aunnlOuar n,.:oS
this time he had become acquainted will
the lovely and fascinating Elmira Warren
the daughter Of a rich merchant, and al
heiress.
A year passed, from the time he had frs
seen her, and he was the favored one of tn,
many who sought her hand. 1t was earl
one bright morning in June, that Georg,
was proceeding to the c~ouuting-room Of hi
employer. He was happy-the night be
fore Elmira Warren, whom he ldolized, hat
consented to be bis. She was now the aft
anced bride OF George Ashburn.
With a light heart, and a face bright will
smiles, he entered the connting-room. Upor
the desk lay a letter, directed to him, in th'
hand writing of his father-with an exclama
ton of Joy he grasped the letter. 1t wa
sometime since he had heard from him. Elk
aiming the date, he was about to break III,
letter open, when it fell from his hands I,
the floor. His face, usually so full of color
became suddenly of an easy paleness.
The letter fell with the superscriptiol
~downwards. 1t was sealed with a blacl
seal. The bright smiles had fed-and hi
countenance was expressive Of a dark fore
boding as he stopped to pick up the lette
from the floor. With a trembling hand h
broke the seal and read as follows: