Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-08-14

not be greater contrast than ALREADY existed;
for Ellen was a girl Of rigid notions of duty, an
exemplary though unobtrusive christian, and
one of the mdes and sweetest of characters.-I
While every one admitted the gay, high-spirited
and brilliant Isabel all loved the modest and re-
firing Ellen; the one was the dahla which
haunts before all eyes, the other was the retiring
violet
In her secret heart, Isabel, already the most
popular belle ofthe village, had resolved to make
conquest Of the young heir. She loved osten-
tation quite as much as she loved hattery, and
she longed to be mistress ofthe old mansion
She knew, however, that she had many rivals,
there was scarcely young lady in the village,
having either by birth, accomplishment or beauty
and pretension to the alliance who did not indulge
a hope that she might be the favored one. And
each resolved to appear to the best advantage on
the following Sunday.
| Accordingly the church, on that day. present
ed quite an array Of new bonnets and flowers
Our young ladies had really out done themselves.
Never had Tiverton shone in such an array of
millinery. But Isabel was still the most beauti-
full girl there; and conscious that this would be
so she delayed her entrance until the services
were about to begin.
The young heir sat in the old family pew near
Iy opposite to that of the Warmers and more
than once during the sermon his eye wandered
to the beautiful being opposite. Isabel's heart
beat high with gratiGed pride and her triumph
was complete when, at the close Of the services,
the young heir advanced to shake hands with her
father whom he recognized, and so designedly
threw himself in the way of an Introduction to
Isabel, of which he availed himself Immediately
by walking home with her.
In short time the young heir became ac-
Iquainted with the other ladies' of the village but
Istl he showed decided preference for Isabel,
Probably he paid less attention to Ellen than to
any Of them; and certainly she was the only mar
iriagable young lady in the village who did not
seek every docorous opportunity to throw herself
in his way. But Ellen neither courted his socie-
Ity nor flattered his tastes She treated him frank
ly and GOnYersed with ease and animation when
lthey met; but she rather shrank from than sought
opportunities Of meeting him Yet Ellen felt
that Harry Conner was one that she could love
for constant hltlcry had filled to corrupt the
original nobeness of his heart
Whether it was this conduct Oh the part of e.
len, or a gradual increasing appreciation of hei
Qualities, that induced the young heir to seek hei
society more frequently than at first, we know
not; but 50 lie did, and eventually to a degree
that Isabel grew jealous.
One day picnic party was projected, to BE-
held on picturesque island not far from DIR vii
LACE, The party was to be given by the gentle
men, and great pains were taken to conceal lron
= the ladies the nature of the preparations All
therefore, that was known that every thing was t.
be arranged in the most elegant manner Harr,
s Conner himself had superintendent the arrange
ments, and his taste was provcrbiaL. Every one
, promised themselves day of enjoyment even Ell
len entered into the feeling of curiosity; and OF
the eventful morning many arose an hour before
their usual time impatient as in early years, fol
f the hour Of setting forth.
+ The party was to meet at the house Of Mis-
# Warner preparatory to embarking. All had nov
r assembled. They were waiting only for Mis-
] Eden. AT last she came, but not alfred for thu
: excursion
9 She had just heard that poor old woman
4 whom she had been in the habit ofassstino nov
: and then with aims, was dying and had request
ed to see her,
Are you gong' said dozen voices 'Wha
is the matter?
Ellen blushed, but said she could not GO
Something quite unex pected had occurred to pre-
vent her. Il have run down, therefore, to make
an excuse She would not tell the reason, fol
she knew that there were those present whc
: would attribute it to ostentatious benevolence
'Pshaw, how ridiculousp said Isabel Warner
who was vexod, aside to Harry Conner, she i:
only afraid to go-how hate such puritanica
notions As if little harmless amusement were
wrong
If Miss Eden will not 60 because she think.
it wrong she is certainly very narrow minded
and what Is worse is the Hypocrisy to concea
the true reason. Still cannot believe she is Sc
S bigoted-'
There is no other cause, you may depend
on it. And we shall be quite as we'll wthou
her hate such long sanctimonious faces when
others are disposed to be merry.
: Ellen happened to be nearer than Isabel tho't
and heard these word5-hcr eyes filled with tears
which she with difficulty concealed by turning
away. She longed, yet dreaded to hear Harry
Corners answer.
You are to harsh was his reply. Blu
surely she ought to be able to give a reason fo
remaining, if she is not really afraid to go
e AT these words, Ellen was on the point of re
d vealing all, but she reflected that her motive
would be msreprescntcd; and her modesty shrunl
from speaking of her own good deeds She fel
$ therefore, that she must allow herself to b.
T. misunderstood by Harry Conner; but it was no
Il without pang that she came to this conclusion
> and the consciousness ofthis led her now, for tn
first time to suspect the true state of her heart
6 Harry Conner was more disappointed at Ell
lens absence, than he believed he could be- II
r. felt little piqued at her refusal, for he had in
IS vited her in person and to tell the truth SOM