The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-11-28

her she had been all Ter life clinEing TO the
edge OF another and could know no content
me Mt until she had slipped herself fairly in.
Had her ambition been for Mary only, il
been abundantly gratifed; her
sweet looks and manner unconsciously won
their way in circles where her father had
been intimate many years before. But no
one thought it requisite TO include Mrs. Dam
by in the attentions paid TO her daughter;
and each solitary invitation would nave
been a source of fresh vexalion, had she not
regarded Mary as the stepping-stoqe by
which her wishes were TO be accomplished
in The end.
II might have been false and Notifying
position for Mary TO find herself accepted on
a memory that had all but passed away,
while her actual connections remained IN.
noticed and unknown-even her mother.
But she had too much tact ever 10 complain !;
instinctvely she stood in awe OF Mary's true
heart--her single mind she knew her
daghter would never mix in society where
her mother was rejected; and still hoping on,
made her present retirement seem both to
Mary and her own companions quite mat
ter of choice.
How often would Mary. in the midst Of her
pleasant anticipations of some party lay
down her simple attire with asigh, and cx-
claim-'Oh mamma, what pity that you too
may not wear a white musliu-theu you
need never stay at home from unwilingness
to spend money in suitable dress; thong b
shame for me- she would add, throwing her
arms round her neck, 'to give even this as q
reason, when know too well you lost all
heart for amusement before ever you came
herei'
And again, how often would the mother
scan the sweet ingenious face of her child,
on her return from some excursion, to discov-
er whether il bore any trace Of the mortifica-
tons her own sensitive vanity always led her
to apprehend. But no; Mary, as we have
said, was too true-hearted, toe gentle, ever
thus 10 suffer; she made no vain professions,
and her companions were well contented 10
love her for what she really was so well,
that when Frank Nugent began 10 love her
best Of any, his sisters and his mother only
hoped he would deserve her, and thought
him fortunate indeed when he won her trtie
aud warm heart. Luckily they knew but
little OF Mrs. Dandy, or of her boastful de-
light at the connection little Of worthy
John Travers and his graver anxieties, else
their judgments might have remained sus-
pended between the hopes Of the one and
the fears of the other, until the scale had
been turned against Mary herself.
Franks eldest brother. George Nugent,
indeed protested that they were couple Of
fools; Frank for selling his hunter, and Civ
ing up his free quarters at home; Mary for
refusinga rich old squire, whose admiration
had long been their standing Joke. And
conloundcdly unreasonable, 10 use his own
words, was Franks request 10 be paid of
he few hundreds, his portion as younger
son, and in fact all he could call his own. So
the money not being convenient, George be-
stirred himselfto find some equivalent. Mus
tering together two or three past obligations,
and some unpleasant information which he
had equally stored up, he now brought them
TO bear, in the frienGliest manner, on Mr.
Jones the agent; received in return the lease
of The farm, which Frank in his turn accept
ed in lieu OF his claim--no unirequent mode
of management; and thus all parties were
pleased, the agent who gave only nominal
bargain; the brother, who cleared oil an In
cumbrance on his property the young low
ers, rejoicing in their own happiness and the
good will oftheir friends, needless that in
one instance it had been purchased, and dear
" too, and Mrs. Danny and John Travers
both right in their conclusions. Mr.. Nugent's
interesthad obtained the farm-Frank's mon
ey had secured that interest.
Some few, very few years had passed by,
when whispers began 10 float about too much
IN the tone OF John Travers's early forebod-
ings. Mrs. Danby's countenance-a true
barometer-no longer bright and exultine,
revealed much that her lips were still far
from uttering. She had moved down again
to The lowly front parlor, again condescend-
ing 20 be amused by The movements Of fhe
village street; and if now and then she did
ascend 10 her former quarters, and station
herself again al the favorite window, it was
no longer osteDtatiousIy TO point out the res
idence of Mrs Nugent,' but TO weep, where
none could see her, over Mary's fallen pros
poets and her desolaie home.
Perhaps had she visited il ofieber she would
have found less occasion for sorrow. How
many gIiels. how much Of regret and disap-
poin;ment, might we all find ourselves spar
ed if we only look sober and probable view
of the future in the morning of life ! In the
morning Of life Yes; not that OF the youth
ful dreamer, not that morning still gilt with
the glories of the dawn hut of actual life,
with its cares and business, on which few en-
ia
promise fulfilled. But if Mrs. Dandy was
still dreamer, it was not so with Mary.
from the first, she had been aware OF her
position, and determined to make the best of
it. She knew she could never expect 10
mingle on equal terms with rich or great of
their neighborhood and wondering al her
extravagant anticipaiions, she gent
ly, but decidedly, discouraged them at once,
though panied 10 find her motives entirely
her mother attributing the
check TO unwilingness on the part of Mary |
TO allow her to participate in amusemenis
which she could never believe would be VOL |
unfairly resigned. But Mary was firm ev-
en- with Frank. though with him her part |
was different, more easy, ye. more difficult
she was all in all to him, supplied the plaza
oi all and yet he had been accustomed TO
SO many things of which he never knew the
supplied without question in
his brothers. somewhat wasteful establish
nent-ihat she felt those minor privations
must be continual strain on his good hu'
nor, and that on her devolved the task oil
preventing them from becoming a strain up
IN his love. She tried TO give as modest a
Ii II. I