Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-05-31

Cecil to accompany him. His health was very
delicate, and his mother unable herself TO 90,
could not bear for him to bo aloAo among stran-
gers.
Il had better 90, said Cecil at length. q
am grieved. almost ashamed that you should
know how the events of the past week have un-
manned me- still cannot conceal the truth
| had better 90. We shall pass the Autumn in
the West, tie Winter in the sunny South,
and return to- yoa with the birds in the Spring.
The memory of Florence Wiloughby will then
be effaced from my heart, or at most, only a
dark shadow of shade He smiled as he
spoke, bat the mother marked the qulvcring lip,
and ta,teting voice, and so she babe him do as
he thought right, and then retired to weep in
escret that she must part with him for SO long.
week more, and Cecil had left the Grove
Edith was busly engaged preparing for her
school-life, into which she was very soon to
enter. Y he school fixed upon, was taught by
Mrs. Woodville, friend of Mrs. Vaughan,
and was situated gear the city q. - in a
pleasant village. Edith was to remain two
years-returning only twice in the meanwhile
during the summer seasons.
1t was late in August when she again stood
alone among strangers. Mrs. Vaughan had left
her, and although every one spoke kindly tc her,
yet che felt So lonely when she Looked at the
to be in her own room, away from them all.
CHAPTER VII.
Light and glad through the rooms the gay music is
waking,
Where the young and he lovely are ga erd ta-night
And the soft coudless lamps, with their lustre are
making
A midnight hour only than morning less bright
Edith Evelyn shall be our queen'-'yes,
Edith Evelyn echoed a score of voices She
is so lovely said one child to another Yes,
and so good to we little ones,' was the answer.
And she never speaks cross TO US either said
another. -
Edith Evelyn to be chosen queen of the fes.
tivities at Mrs. Woodville's birth night ball -
selected from among seventy young ladies', and
preferred before any of them Edith could
hardly believe it and she went away to her
own room to wonder, and think the matter all
over
1t cannot be that am handsome Grace
Archer and Emma Lee, and Clara Willis are
all thousand times prelter, and'-iust then
she glanced at the figure reflected in a mirror
opposite. Certainyit would have been difficult
to recognize in the graceful girl, the poor little
Jane OF two years before. Her abundant trcsses
of raven hair were braided, and disposed with
classical grace over her broad open brow, while
her magnificent black eyes were shaded by long
silken lashes, which subdued without quench-
ing their fire. Her mouth was small and in.
tellectual in its expression, and when the full
red lips were parted, as now, they revealed
teeth of almost dazzling whiteness. Her COM
plexion had lost its sallow, sickly hue, and
although 1t was not as fair as that Of Florence
Wlloughby, yet the rich, bright color that
arose TO her cheek upon very slight emotion,
was far more beautiful. The stoop in her
shoulders had entirely disappeared with the
servitude WHICH had c-used it, and now at sew.
enteen Edith would have been almost too com
manding and quecnly in her appearance, had it
not been for the winning smile playing about
her lips, and the kindly word which was always
ready for a,ery one.
Edith was general favorite with all the
school, both teachers and pupils-and all but
one rejoiced that she was to be queen Of the
coming festival. Isabel st. Mlaur was young
girl of Spanish birth, beautiful, and highly
gifted, but naughty and imperious. She could
not bear to see smiles and affection bestowed
on Edith, and withhoden from herself, and she
also retired to her room after the queen was
chosen, to weep passionate and bitter tears of
envy and hate.
The evening ofthe eventiul day had arriv-
ed--.and the large dancing hall was nearly filled
with pupils and invited guests. Cecil Vaughan
stood among them. He was passing week
with some friends in an adjoining village, and
with them had received an invitation to be
present. Since Edith had been taken home by
his mother from Mrs. Willoughbys he had
never seen her, for during her summer vaca-
,ons he lad been away from home. Neither
dii he know who she really was, his mother
concealing it from him at irst, as we have seen,
because she could not bear to open wider the
oil H., &, oJ ;.
ing him more of the unlovey character Of Flo
renee, and afterwards from odd reasons OF her
own. She satisfied his enquiries by saying that
the child was placed in good school, where if
she wished she could be qualified for teacher,
and so Cecil stood there waiting for the curtain
to be drawn aside. which should reveal the first
tab.eau, and totally unconscious when it Was
drawn aside, that the beautiful syblll who stoot
upon the stage, pale and motionless among the
evergreens and flowers. was the poor little Jane
who had e<cited bis pity two years before
lie stood almost entranced, for Edith he'd never
looked more strangely lovely, and when the
curtain fell, an involuntary exclamation burst
from his lips, while a murmur of applause filled
the room. The tableau that followed were all
beautiful and Justly admired, but Cecil thought
only of the first. Edith did not appear again
until Mrs. Woodville placed the crown of bios
SONS upon ner head. Inc dress which mad
been chosen for her suited we'll her style OF
beauty. crimson velvet bodice laced with
gold, slightly opened at The throat, and fitted
closely to her beautiful figure, contrasted finely
with her complexion. and robe of rich satin
fell gracefully to the floor. Every lip save that
OF Isabel st. Maur, wore smile as group of
fair girls chanted song in honor OF their queen,
who received her subjects right legally, and
bore her queenly honors with queeny grace.
An hour later, and Cecil Vaughan had obtain
ed an introduction to Edith. She turned very
pale as he held her hand for an instant in his
own, for she saw that he did not recognize her,
She did not realize how much she had altered
in those two short years, while he had remain
ed as she saw him first Many times had the
recollection of his pleasant smile, and kindly
words to her, poor, friendess orphan, stolenI
into her heart and fingered there, like music i
so it required strong effort of selfcommand,
to appear like stranger to him. On his part,
Cecil was very much pleased with her agreeable
conversation, and graceful, easy manners, while
her strhlngly lovely face won his admiration
They stood for long time at window which
opened upon the piazza. The landscape with
ont was bathed in the oenila ravs of tha moop i