Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-12-25

ana so regardless OF fashlon ana display as To-
renee was, could give herself to one SO unworthy.
But the fact that Groves was heir to an immense
fortune, and that parents and guardians SO often
barter their hapless cildref, for gold, caused his
heart TO papitato and the hot blood TO mount to
his temples. &: ~; r,
Welcft the parties atAainner The merry jest
had gone round. Mrs Rivers had had full JUS
tice done her delicatesm meat, unexceptionnble
pastry, transparent jellies, manages and all
the other ct eeteras necessary for Christmas
dinner. Fruits, nuts and confectionery had dis
appeared like magic. Lovers lad interchangcd
VOWS with their eyes, if not with their lips--and
bereadyfor the ride': was the watch-word.
A riding party had been proposed for the after
noon. Horses had been procured for all the
young people Burehelp had to content him
self with mule, but ride he would ;;and Misses
Hart and Harden were forced to bear him COM
pany, for they were inseparable and he followed
their movements as. if he suspected treason.
The truth was ;this-the boy was a protcge of
Florence and loved her in return His unusually
quick mind had detected and understood certain
whispered inucndocsg gbetwecn;the rival ladies, in
which Florence seemed to be concerned, and he
dctermincdto out-wit them. Their plan was to
detain cambridge until Groves should get with
Florence, and then by bold effort to declare
ther certain knowledge Of an engagement be-
tween them. They had seen the ring on Groves
finger, and had questioned him about It after
they left the dinner table. Groves acknow-
lcdged how he came in possession of it, for he
knew they would betray him. They promised
not to reveal it, if he would contnuehs attelf-
tion to Florence; Groves was therefore very
busy in assisting llcr to mount, while Miss Hart
who pretended 10 beafraid of her palfrcy, called
cambridge to hcrassistance. 1Burchell' kept
near, determined that they should not succeed
in their ungenerous designs: -T5fT7,: a:.is.'5
ooh! Just look, Serena. how attentive Mr.,
Groves is to Miss Rivers! Did you notice flat
he wears her ring; it must be enlargement,
for you rocolec. what she said the other, ,day:n.
ssIdo,n said Burchell: - e =.
"fN-hat's that g''s said Miss Serena, and she
made an effort to rile.out Of lis way bnt he
sParrsd INK ksz Raa k8Rals
think that MFR. Groves and Florence will marry
at the Cooncl''. or at Mrs. BlairsY 2"
"Oh the Coloncl's of course. You know
Florcncc always said if she married fortune.
that her wedding should be magnifccnt.r:'
"Thats a whzcr," crnaned he Of the mule.
she never said such thing in her life--I know
she didn't"
"Why, my dear little man." climcd in Miss
Hart, "why don't you ride fastcr-do let us sec
if you can callop."
"I'm riding fast enough, thsnk'cc, man,"
Mr.. cambridge will you be so kind as to or
der that young imp away snccrcd Miss Hart.
Just then the party drew up to view a fine
prospect. when little Bnrchcll' called out loud
enough to be heard by all
Miss Florcy! Miss Hart says you are going
to marry Mr.. Groves, and Mr.. Groves says he
found your ring, and Miss Hart told him to make
believe you give it to him, and she told Mr.. Dan
bridge she knew you'd have big wedding at
the Colonel's. because you were going to get a
fortune, for you, told her so. And know who
she wants; she and Miss Serena both wants Mr..
cambridge for heard her tell Miss Serena if
she could foil You she knew he'd court one or
'tohcr of them"
The indignant Miss Hart gave donkey cut
with her whip, which frightened Miss Rivers
horse and caused him to plunge fearfully.
Groves was too much frightened to assist her,
and before any one else could dismoi,nt Dan
bridge had gained her eide and had quoted the
rcstivc animal.
THANK you, Mr.. Dandridgc," said Florence,
who had somewhat rcgained her composure.
Then turning to Mr.. Groves she said, " If You
have my ring, sir, which lost yesterday, will
you please give it TO me-" The mortified and
trembling youth drew it from his pocket, handed
it over, put spurs to his horse and dashed off
without an adicu. Miss Hart and her compan-
ion were for a moment dashed but at Groves
disappearance they made an effort to explain
away their assertions, by declaring that Groves
had told them that the ring was given to him by
Florence. The dsdanful looks of some and the
gratifed smiles of others of the party convinced
them that they were not believed AS they
were not far from Miss Hart's residence, they
rode of, to the infinite delight Of the rest Their
characteristics had become too well known for
them to gain favor with any. The rest Of the
company, as if in sympathy with Florence, rode
briskly on. At this auspicious moment, Dan
bridge took heart and begged, fiat if he could
not wear her ring, he might claim the hand that
displayed it. Well! as matter of course every
thing was arranged satisfactorily before their
return, which was hastencd in consequence of a
pre-arranged entertainment for the Juveniles in
the evening.
There were many children in the ncighbor.
hood, some of them poor and unable to enjoy
even the neccssarics of life. Florence had ar
ranged with her aunt Rivers the getting up Of a
Christmas trep. In the absence of the cques-
trians, the elder ladies had superintendent the
adjusting Of the fir tree in lprgc white vase,
and had laid an elegant supper in the dining roonl
All that was to do on their return was the ar