The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1849-03-30

will have much to answer for
just then Anna Freeland, who had fin
ished dancing set. came lightly tripping
across the room, and took seat beside
Mrs. Marrast, saying, as she did SO, 10
light playful way
Why, how grave you are! Has no one
asked you TO dance, to.nigh,a must
find you partner
i don't dance.' replied Mrs. Marrast,
This was said with smile. 1t woald
hardly have been good manners to have
| look ed serious.
'Yuu don't mean that your dancing days
are over laughed Anna.
Yes. ] think they re over with me-
'Oh, dear! l mean to dance when I'm
sixty
Sixty! You don't expect to live to
that age!' And Mrs. Marrast glanced at
the slender form OF the young girl, which
looked as summer breeze would al.
most blow il away.
Indeed, then. | do! Why nota'
And you expect to enjoy yourself for
the whole tIme!
'Ob, certainly! always have enjoy ed
myself, and always expect to do so.'
The ladias shook their heads.
people don't enjoy themselves in this
world bali SO much as they would if they
only took the pleasure that is ofered ,
said Anna. Pm sure you'd be as happ,
again, tonight, as you are, like me, you
accepted all that the occasion offered
and danced aud laughed with tie merri
est.
You're Wild, thoughtless girl, Anna,
replied Mrs. Marrast, half smiling, halt
serious.
oh no. returned Anna. Not thought
ing li,tle wild. I'm philosopher
Though Of the epiourian scnoll.
would say
just as you please. Lave while yot
live is my motto, and mean TO hold to il
through life
Before either of the ladies conld reply
, Anna had accepted an Invitation to dance
in aUot tier cotillion, and 10 little whii,
was moving gracefully in the nag: circle
that were wreathing their many forms h
TO sbe spund Of inspiring music.
Gay ,hough,iess cesatnrel' sighed Mr.
Marrast, as the light form Of the beau,ih
girl moved before her.
And you might add, heartless,' mur
INJURED the companion, in tone of sever
ty. What does she care for the want
and sufferings OF others! She would dane
through the world in search Of pleasure
and let bleeding humanity die at the W
side, unthought of and uncared for
without human sympathies,' returne
Mrs. Marrast, Il see nothing attractiv
lovely in youth, wit or beauty. And her
; lies my whole objection to fashionabl
society. II is all selfshness. To gai
an hour of pleasure, girl like Ann
: would disregard every consd Iteration ths
involved merely the comfort or happinel
ofanother. A sick sister, griefstrcke
friepd. or lonely mother, would ne.e
keep her back from the ball room
opera
mo, presume not. Pleasure CLAIM
the entire devotion Of her worshippers.-
She accepts no divided service
'And If ever she had a faithful WORSHIP
per, that one is Anna Freeland.'
"A truer word have not heard spoke
But pleasures day is brief, thong
bright one; and Anna will, ere long. fu
herself eDcompassed by darkness an
storms
This was said with an expression
which, to the ear of a listener, wound la,
sounded very much as if the prophecy
evil sprung from secret wish to st
clouds aud darkness gather around II
;. form Of the happy girl.
An hour afterwards, and while II
company were passing towards the RI
> freshishmeGt room, Mrs. Marrast hear
some one. near her, ask
Where is that lovely young creatul
who moved about SO like falryP
Anna Freeland, you meapl'
y Yes. I've missed her during lhe la
twenty minutes.
~ So have |. Can she have left?'
She may have been taken ill.,
sOh, no. She looked too beautiful an
happy ever TO be sick. i will not belie'
that "a
Mrs. Marrast heard DO more. 81
searched every where with her eyes, bo
:, while at the supper table and after r
!, turning TO the drawing rooms, to fiji
Auna, but nothing more was seen of q
ms lovely girl, while preseut, had Il
deed been the Belle of the Ballroom.
IL About the time when the gay compa'
ID we're gathering around the supper table
u hich every luxury tho family carria,