Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-07-09

No
Who was il?
Charles Mason
We'll said / thought it was Frank really =
Charles and Frank always did look alike Hell
be along soon, no doubt
The sisters then descended the stairs, and
Esthers eyes sparkled with joy as she enterad
the room filled to the overAowing All seemed
gay aud merry-all were richly appareed, and
Esther th0t within herself that she should moi
be asbmed of her associates in the presence Of
the young Southerner.
But alas, her object after ALL was not gained
Hours sped by, and although the evening was
bright and almost every other one whom the
sisters had invited was present, Frank Clark
came not,
What can be the reason! Esther queried tc
herself Can he be unWell! or is he unwilling
to appear among my associates
She could not divine the cause of his absence
and it took time to deyelope it.
Nevertheless, the party was in high gee,--
Funny things we're said, smiles and bright IA
ces were seen all around. But poor Esther
could say with Hannah, the Agagite, 'a this
avaeth me nothing She made an effort to be
happy and cheerful, but of no use. Any one
could see that her attempts were sckly and va
pid There was beneath her affected smes-a
mark of chagrin not to be concealed from the
obseryant eye.
But the clock at length strikes twelve, and
the company dispense. Right glad is Esther;
for Of all kindsof afectation, affected cheerful
ness comes most directly across the grain A
person may put on an outside show of modcstN
poteness honesty or wealth, much easier than
an external garb of merriment When the
mind is ill at ease, we detest mr!hful assoc-
ates; we long to retire TO our chambers and
weep in solitude
No sooner did the company leave, than Est
her attempted to do so. But she was not al
lowed to be there exactly alone. Her sister ey-
cr ptyug those in trouble, followed her.
Alas mel Esther, now do not lay this
matter so seriously at heart said Harriet.
Don't speak to me, Harriet Pm in no mood
for talking
hate to see you feel so bad about trivial
affair On the whole our party was good one
Ali seemed,
Don't speak to me say! Be silent
Harriet obeyed. She knew Esther's DISPOSE
ton too we'll, to undertake to comfort her against
her will
Esther spent the rest of the night somehow,
and arose in the morning with swollen eyes and
the head ache.
But the next Sunday she saw Frank at church,
when he gave her a nod Of recognition: and
though there was a sort Of a smile of contempt
that wrcathcd his lip, which seemed to say, Il
know ye,' his nod did her some good.
la, ha! said she to herself Pm not ex-
actly forgotten by Frank after ALL.
You saw him there, Harriet, did you not7'
said she to her sister when returning.
Yes
And he bowed to us-Did you notice it!'
9 did not
L wanted to speak to him, and ask him why
he didn't attend our party the other night
Perhaps he was unwe perhaps previously
engaged. AT any rate, presume he could
adduce some reasonable excuse for his alb
sence'
ooh yes felt bad at the time; but now
care nothing about ii; for his heart was with US
unquestionabIy, though his body was absent
Were he not going so soon to the South, I'D
make another party and astonish him with
Northern glitter after ALL
CHAPTER III.
About two years glided by before Esther heard
nything more of Frank Clark, save by accident
He wrote letters often to his friends at C.
but it was seldom she condesc ended to speak tc
them concerning him. His parents were poor
and of course she could not speak to them.
Frank intended to visit his native village
every Sumner, and spend the warm season a
mong the more agreeable and saIubrous breeze,
of the North, but his uncle was so old and in.
firm, he found it difficult ttAaye. Business in
almost all the Southern cities demanded his at
tention. A broken-down old man like his I'm.
Gle, could not attend to it.
But in the Summer of IS, two years sub
sequent to the party at Mr. Cummings he SC
arranged the affairs of his employer as to be able
to visit his Northern friends again. A few day,
passed after his arrival, when Mr.. Cumming
daughters were invited to attend a party at
Franks fathers, which invitation so much elat
ed Esther that she appeared as much above the
common ebb Of her spirits, as she had two years
before fallen below.
You would be astonishcd to meet Julia Har
rs thereF said Harriet to her. the evening be-
fore the party,
True | should be greatly ast2nshed,'
Why SO ? asked Harriet Franks father il
not weahy-not more so, perhaps, than Mr.
Harris, the poor mechanic
| know that very well, responded Esther
But Frank you know-hcS got the wherewith
hcH make things shine | shouldn't wonder i
he furnished his fathers old castle with new ful
niture throughout
Frank is not rich said Harriet His uAcL
is supposed to be wealthy, to be sure but VT
have no proof that said uncle gives linn pocket
full of cold to sDend i'm MAKING narties nj fin