Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-11-20
CHAPTER III.

Eugene Elderly was blessed by nature with
noble bearing and intellectual face; and
withal SO wealthy to cause him 10 be con-
sidered good match, and consequently much
sought after by mothers with manageable
daughters. Captain Linton was his sworn
friend and had made an engagement to call
with him on the beautiful Miss Eccleston,
whom Mr.. Elderly had met at ball, and
whom, he declared to his friend, over their
bachelor breakfast, TO be the loveliest creature
he ever beheld-and he just returned from Eu-
rope. He added, also, confidence, that if,
on longer acquaintance, he found her good
tempered and accomplished, he would not hesi-
tate in making her the offer her his heart, hop
ing at the same time to win hers.
Be not so sanguine of your bele,' said
Linton, as they stood together after ringing the
bell and let not love blind your observing
faculties, Elderly, for | wish you 10 have a
wife worthy of you
Mr.. Elderly and friend were received most
graciously. Virge had seated herself, and the
SNCCt SuillC Win NHlSh SHO StSC'Su oplCdu
in light and beauty over her face, as the ripples
break on the surface Of summer lake, and
made her, in his already partia! eyes, still
more charming. He placed himself near her,
and so absorbed did he become in listening 10
her replies and looking at the sweet mouth
from whence they issued, that every one else
might have been in India, tor all he cared-
! Captain Linton conversed with Mrs. Eccles-
ton and Ada, with whom he had before met,
when he had called for qniet evening with
her father.
will you not play for me this morning,
Miss Eccleson!' said MIR. Elderly. / kno,c
that you must sing
Now the truth of it was, Virge could neith-
er sing nor play !; and all that her own efforts
or her mothers untiring exertions in her be-
half could accomplish, were one or two badly
executed values.
Her mother was at hand, however, to extri-
cate her from this scrape. l.ar
: Let me beg you TO excuse Virge, Mr.. El-
derby said she. | have prohibited her play
ing and singing until she entirely recovered
from severe sore throat, which has troubled
her,
Virge glanced at her sister at this impromp-
tu affliction, and anxiously watched her, les,
her countenance might betray her indignation at
the liberties her mother was taking with truth.
Mr.. Elderby's glance followed hers, and he
for the first time saw Ada, whose cheeks were
now warmly colored, and whose large eyes
were widely opened |; but she was perhaps
startled and shy, because Captain Linton was
urging her to play.
Your sister, is she not,' injured Mr.. e.
derby. How much she resembles you. You
will introduce met
Vlrge was obliged to name him TO Ada, as
she arose TO take her seat at the piano. Ada
exceIled in music. Her touch was perfection,
and the natural trills of her voice were like
those of some bird in the far greenwood. Ii
had been her company-her solace in the hours
that would have been otherwise weary-wearv
ones Of loneliness, when her mother and sister
were off to gay parties; and often, too, had il
cheered her father when annoyed by some
domestic dssension. She therefore loved m,l.
sic. 1t was to her like the lone flower to the
prisoner in the beautiful story of Picciola,
and she identified her love for it into her ex.
preston. She did not at first intend playing,
being indignant at her mothers duplicity :
but she arose to comply with Captain Linton's
request. iai -nRiof o
Her mother and sister had scarcely ever
heard her play, for the tacity avoided the truth.
full, noble-hearted girl, who was, / am sorry tc
say, rebellious enough to ndicule their world
ly mindedness and maneuvring, and used sar
casm aud ridicuIe openly and fearlessly.-
So Ada grew up alone, or having for compa
ny in he. home circle only her bookseller
music and, though she was wiih them, she
was not Of ,bem,' a az iiiu assssaa.i