The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-07-05

who for some unknown reason had sell
dom sought her society. Henry Marsfon
had been an intimate friend of her eldest
brother, now abroad and always a favoriie
with herself. though till the partial es-
arrangement we have alluded 10, she scarce
ly knew how highly she had valued him.
Ii was IS yet new, dazzling and strange 10
her She felt IN sort of bewilderIneni
that deprived her IN q measure of the DOW
ers OF pleasing that she really possessed:
and the lnJudIcious course of her mother
whose determination that her daughter
should take prominent place among the
bellies Of the season. often forced her into
positions she felt 10 be both ridiculous and
painful. Mrs. Lincoln had no idea OF the
possession OF single gifi Of nature, of ac-
complishment. of education. save for the
purpose OF display To shine was all her
ann, and SHINE Flora must and should
not with her own soft, morn-like radiance.
but with the adTenl1ous glare the meteor
fashion could throw about her Nothing.
therefore. thai expense or manageme nj
could do, had been spared to attain this
d slrable end-if end that can De called
which was but 2 means of reaching one
sllH more Desirable wealthy and distin-
gulshed marriage.
To achieve this, Mrs. Lincoln thought
her prime maternal dUty-a duty rendered
stllI more onerous because four Younger
daughters were awaiting In the nursery
and school room their turn 10 play their
part on the stage OF fashion. Flora was.
therefore, 70 marry early, and as soon after
her debut her pretty, chlldlIae grace aitrac-
ted the attention OF the rich and fashiona-
bic 81 Clair, he was fixed upon as the
chosen future husband.
Until this unfortunate evening every
, thing had favored Mrs Lincoln's plans.
Mr.. 81 Clair met all her adsanees very
cordially. vas always al hand 10 dance or
talk with Flora, and when she was present
seemed 10 care for no one else: while the
gentle difhdenee with which she pernirled
his intentions indicated 10 the sagacious
mother growing preference. At ilis
baH, however, change seemed 10 co me
over the spirit OF bolh she inteHdad lovers.
Flora, deeply Interested IN Marslon's con-
versation, appeared 10 shrink from ST.
Clalr' : notice; while he re9enged himself
Tor her indifference by an animated hirta-
ucn with Hale Mervyn. who, though less
beautiful than Flora, possessed the style
and AIR OF fashion she SO greatly needed
Mrs. Lincoln was almost beside herself
w hat was 10 be done! How willingly
would she have annihilated both kate and
Henry on the spoi,-but as IL was. she
was forced 10 smile and compliment. and
appear 10 listen, while forming plans innu-
/ merable 10 subVerl the threatened failure OF
her darling scheme Poor Fl0ral-Iitile
did she dream, as with beating heart and
glowing cheek she said good bye 10 Henry
as ne placed her II the carriage beside her
F mother, OF the storm that was about 10
/ bGrst aoout her devoted head. Mrs. Lin
coin had been irrita1ed passed endurance
+ by the restraint she had been obliged 10
! impose upon her feelings; their outbreat
i was, therefore. proporiionably strong, and
Fiora wePt and s!goye 10 pacify her Ii
4 vain.
Ii was some time, indeed, before the
/ poor gir was able 10 comprehend the
4 ground OF her ofience- for until this mo-
+ ment she was entirely unconscious of her
mothers plans. When the truth at last
dawned upon her, II came with such stun
ming force that, as the light from the OPEN
ing door OF their home cleaned upon her
daughter : face, Mrs. Lincoln was shocked
al The change that had come over il. The
soft and gentle expression was gone, the
1 tears dried. and stony calmuc-- that axed
I the angry mother into silence, had usurped
It's place. No further word was spoken
on either side. Flora silently took her
candle and proceeded to her solitary cham
4 Der, and there sat. decked with her mock
/ ing fnery, until daylight dawned.
But on, the bitter thoughts that chased
each other through her busy brain, IS she
sat there so calm. 50 still. Ii seemed as
though veil had been stripped from her
eyes, and she no longer looked upon the
fair outside of things, but on their hard re-
! allues- The mother she loved so dearly
now stood before her worldly schemer,
who had avowed herself ready 10 sacrifice
her daughters happiness 10 her own am
bition; and TO what other love could she
trust If hers had failed, Even the thought
OF Marston brought no relief. She knew
thai she loved INN, bul had she any proof
thai he loved her In returna-none but kind
looks and genae words and tones, which
perchance he might give 10 others, as well
as 70 her. SO Flora al daylight sough.
her neglected couch, as utterly miserable
a. one 50 innocent could be.
Mrs. Lincoln's nature was one that
never could bear opposition. Let her
| have her own way, and few could seem
more smiable and pleasant than she. OPP
! pose her, and she made you feel il every