The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-06-04
VOL. X.

OppOSllc 10 Oh w "'
more than once during the sermon his ey'
wandered 10 the beautiful being opposite
Isabers heart beat high with gratified pride
and her triumph was complete when, at tn,
; close of the services, the young her advanced
c IN shake hands with her father whom he rec
opnized, and so designedly threw himsel
y in the way of an Introduction to Isabel, o
winch he awaited himself Immediately by
walking home with her.
In short time the young heir became ac-
quainted with the other ladies ofIhe village
but he still showed decided preference for
Isabel. Probably he paid less attention to
Ellen than TO any of them: and certainly
she was the only manageable young lady
in the village, who did not seek every decor
Gus opportunity 10 throw herself in his way.
But Ellen neither courted his society nor
ha;iered his tastes. She treated him frank
" and conversed with ease and animation
when they met but she rather shrank from
than sought opportunities of meeting him.
Yet Ellen felt that Harry Connor was one
she could love; for constant flattery had al
( together failed TO corrupt the original noble
ness of his heart.
Whether il was this conduct on the part OF
Ellen, or gradually increasing apprecia-
ton Of her qualities, that induced the young
heir TO seek her society more frequently than
ut first, we know it: but so he did, and event
ually TO such degree that Isabel grew ieal-
I Gus.
! One day picnic party was projected, TO
be held on picturesque island not far from
our village. The party was 10 be given by
the gentlemen, and great pains were taken
TO conceal from the ladies the nature of the
preparations. All, therefore, that was
known was that every thing was 10 be ar
ranged in the most elegant manner Harry
Conner himself had superintendent the ar
rangements, and his taste was proverbial
Allpromised themselves day of enjoyment:
even Ellen entered into the feeling Of curios-
ity; and on the eventiul morning many a.
rose an hour before the usual time, impatient,
as in earlier years, for The hour Of setting
forth.
The party was TO meet at the house of
Miss Warner preparatory 10 embarking.-
All had now assembled: they were waiting
only for Miss Eden. At last she came, but
not attired for the excursion. She had Just
heard that a poor old woman, whom she was
in the habit Of assisting now and then with
aims, was dying and requested TO see her.
Are you not going 2 SAID dozen voices
what is the NATTER?
Something quite unexpected had occurred TO
prevent her. i have run down, therefore, 10
make an excuse She would not tell the
reason, she knew there we're those present
who would attribute il 10 ostentatious benev-
olence.
'Pshaw. How ridiculousr said Isabel
Warner, who was vexeG, aside 10 Harry
Conner, she is only afraid 10 90: how |
hate such strict, Puritancal notions. As if a
little harmless amusement was wrong
IF Miss Eden will not go because she
thinks it wrong she is certainly very narrow
minded and what makes it worse is the hy-
pocrisy which conceals the true reason.
Still, cannot believe she is so bigotcd'
There is no other cause, you may depend
on it, And we shall be quite as well with
out her: hate such long sInciimonious
faces when others are disposed 10 be mer-
ry.'
Ellen happened 10 be nearer than Isabel
thought, and heard these words; her eyes
filed with tears, which she with difficulty
concealed by turning away. She longed,
yet dreaded 10 hear Harry Connor's ans
wer.
you are ion harsh,' was his reply. But
surely, she ought TO be able TO give reason
for remaining, if she is really not afraid 10
go.'
AT these words, Ellen was on the point of
revealing all, but she reflected that her mo-
tives would be misrepresentcd and besides
her modesty shrunk from speaking of her
own good deeds She felt therefore, that
she must allow herself to be misunderstood
by Harry Conner; but it was with a pang
that she came TO this conclusion and the
consciousness of this, led her now, for the !
first time, TO suspect the true state Of her
heart. She loved the young heir.
Harry Conner was more disappointed at
ElleD's absence, than he believed he could {
be. He felt a little piqued at her refusal. for |
he had invited her in person; and, TO tell the |
truth, some of the arrangements had been
solely 10 please her. Indeed Har-
ry, without falling in love, had been grow
ing more and more interested in Ellen ever
since his return, The very Indifference
which she exhibited, SO much in contrast with
the marked attention which all the others
paid him, had the effect 10 pique him and
pique often leads 10 warmer sentiments.
mortified at the refusal. he re-
solved 10 avenge himself by flirting with Isa-
bel Warner.
The woodland meal had been partaken OF,
md Harry, tired of the noise of the party
and still out OF humor with himself and Ell
len, stroIled off from the party, and entering
skill began idly to fl, at down the stream
toward our village. Unconsciously he went
further than he intended; but before taking
up the oars 10 row back he resolved TO land
and pluck come wild flowers which he saw ]
growing luXurianily on the bank.-While /
hus engaged he noticed a low, loe-hut hard !
~, from which arose a voice that he thouGht j
Tot unfamiliar. Curiosity PROMPTED him to
approach it. The door was open, and peen- {
ng in, he saw an aged woman, apparently &
n the last stage of disease, while Ellen Eden :
vas propping the dying person with pill 1
oWs. 4
God will bless you for this said the suff- 4
rer feebly. Il know what you gave up 10 1
ONE hither. Isent for Miss Isabel Warner, {
7hom nursed when child; but she said
he could not come: and then knew there
Ias no one who would sacrifice their DAYS n
leasure for me except you, Miss Ellen. But d
eaven will reward you for it
Say nothing oft, but compose YOURSELF
eplled the lovely maiden. Il only did my
uty'
'Ah! duty, dutv-but that is it. Who d