Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-06-13
S Ell E G. T TALE
LADY ANN'S INVITATION.

We were already so numerous and happy
a family Of all ages and sizes, in our old
bonse which seemed as if it would have tot
tered bur for the substantial support of nu-
merons uncovered buttresses, that when we
had an addition TO our circle in the person of
Cousin Beatrice, certain misgivings were ex-
perienced by some of us lest the new conner
might not anna lgamate in her habits or dis
position with the inmates. Beatrice was an
orphan, and had become our fathers ward !;
she inherited good fortune, and was
young, beautiful, and high-spirited girl--so
higt-spirited. that our unworldly and meek
tempered father was not fitted to curb or re-
strain the somewhat too exuberant outbreaks
of thoughtess, but not ungenerous nature.
In short,lhe only individual who had any au-
,hority over our volatile cousin, which, how
ever he never appeared to exercise, except
by gentle persuasiveness, though retaining
an influential sway over most of her actions
this individual was our eldest half-brother.
Colonel Lindores-who, after several wears
sojourn i'm the East, had returned TO end his
days in his native land and was now paying
heightened visit TO his family-consisting
of our father, and brothers, and sisters in
plenty, not emitting to mention Miss Sower-
by an ancient cousin, thrice removed, who
had taken up her rest with us. Miss Sow
efby had been governess all her life; and
now, in her old age, she would have been
thrown oil the world destitute and helpless,
had not our benevolent parent extended the
hand of welcome aud protection. She was a
quaint specimen OF the prim governess of a
former age-full of obsolete niannerisms and
harmless pedantres-and exacting from all
young people the most unbounded Difference
and respect. What she had taught her pu-
pills we never could discover, with the excep-
tion of embroidery in all its stages, from the
sampler to the gorgeously- finished tapestry.
From the tenor of her conversation, it SEEM
ed as if Miss Sowerby had lived on the most
intimate terms with aristocratic personages
of note, so full was she of anecdotes concern
ing great folks aud their secret histories.
We, who knew her weak point, humored
her in this particular, for she was the kindest
and most simple creature in the world, and
painfully sensitive to sights or ridicule.-
She had numbered amongst her former pu-
pills the younger daughters of The Earl Of
one of whom had married a Mr.. Tyrcohnel,
and afterwards became celebrated for talents
and charms of no common order. This was
the pet theme of Miss Sowerbys life every
thing turned on what Lady Ann Tyrconnel
had said or done when she was child and
although twenty years had elapsed since the
child became a woman and wife, still poor
Miss Sowerby felt persuaded that her memo
ry must be gratefully treasured by the high
born lady, notwithstan nding the fact, that dur
ing that long interval of time, Lady Ann had
never recognized the existence other govern
ess.
Now, however, il was rumored that the
Tyrconnes were coming to the Pliory which
they had not visited since their marriage
This seat was not more than twelve miles
distant from our home-and in the country.
that is nothing so as Miss Soweiby said,
while her whole frame shook and futtered
with excitement, Now that dear Lady Ann
would be next door neighbor, she had no
doubt of an early summons to the Priory.'
1t was Lady Ann' henceforth from morn
ing to night, and truth TO tell, we were all
weary of her name but we had learned to
bear with Miss Sowerby's foibles-partIy
from affection, partly from pity-so we only
smiled and said nothing. Not so our Cousin
Beatrice !; she delighted to tease and banter
the prlm old dame, who in return disliked
her as much as a truly kind nature could dis
like any one-prophesying that Miss Beat
rice DeIvile would come to no good if she
did not amend her evil ways; in her Miss
Sowerby's) day, young ladies did not ride
about the country on wild horses, had not al
ways bloodhound at their heels, and did
not talk and laugh so unrestrainedly as Miss
Beatrice did
'What no invitation come yet from Lady
Ann?' the torment would excam in return
for all this TRADE. well, declare Mis-:
Sowerby, if were you, when it does come,
would not condescend to accept it'
Lindores looked annoyed and serious when
these taunts and chickering's were repeated,
k,,tt tho ntn IN
and ready TO her hand for the thoughtles:
Beatrice to be easily daunted, even by Lin
dore's grave reproofs.
She and Miss Sowerby waged open wal
against each other-Beatrice not considering
the unequal odds of age, poverty, and weak
ness against youth, prosperity and light
heartedness.
Accounts reached us from time to time Of
the gay dongs' going forward at the Priory
coupled with reports Of Lady AIMS exclusive
hauteur, the oveliness of her children, and
the titles of her guests. Miss Sowerby de-
voured all this, appropriated it to herself and
still lived on hope-thin as air certainly
that the invitation must yet arrive, which SCI
her heart throbbng when she contemplate
il even at a distance. But alas no invita-
ton came for the poor ci-devant governess
and at length her slumbering pride wa
aroused and the painful conviction forced OF
her mind,that she was indeed utterly forgot.
ten. Lady Ann had been informed of he
Whereabouts but Lady Ann had evidentl,
ceased to remember her chldhood's friend
So that, when the saucy Beatrice came hom
one day from a long ride with Lindores, an,
expatiated raptuousy on the little divlnties
they had encountered-meamng the youn,
Tyrconnels on their Shetland ponies-ex
claiming Immediately, IL is too bad Mis-
Sowerby to treat you SO; when the invita-
ton to the Priory does come, if were you II
send cold deciiner
And to our amazement Miss Sowerby an
swered mildly, but firmly, 1T is my intention
Miss Beatrice Delville, TO decline it, shoul,
be favored with a summons to visit Lad
Ann in the form of note of invitation
well. I'm truly glad to hear you say so
Miss Sowerby, cred Beatrice laughing; fo
I think Lady Ann has used you shamefully
and YOU ought to retort, and show your spirit
More than once a conversation similar tt
this took place between the pair OF opposite
our two cousins Miss Sowerby vehement
ly adhering to her avowal of refusing, wer'
she asked, and Beatrice frequently tauntIn'
her with insinuaIions that the grapes wer
sour, ,and that if they hung within reach evel
now they would be eagerly snapped at. II
dignified silence at last poor Miss Sowerb
bore her tormentors unmeTciful baniering
then L'ndores took up the cudgels 10 defenc
of the weak, and declared that he hearth!
wished summons might come from Lad
Ann, even at the eleventh hour, were it onlJ
to enable Miss Sowerby thereby to prov,