The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-03-18

|
joining in her favorite game, Lizzie hat
given vent to her feelings in the above
burst of vexation. ...
"Well, really, don't see what harm
there is in playing whist,' continued Liz
zie, as she observed a mischievous smile
lurking amid the dimples on Ellen's fail
cheeks; "indeed, 1 can't see what harm
there is in it how can it be so very
wicked to simply shuttle few bits Of
painted paste board :"
Why COZ, never could see anything so
very bad about it myself, though I am aware
it is great consumer of time, and Arthur
says that he has known so many young
men of fine talents and unblemished
character that have been ultimately ruined
by this insidious practice of whist playing,
that even if he had no fears for his own
safety, his conscience would not permit
him to engage in it,"
His conscience' Oh fe, Ellen, your
verdant lover must have conscience as
tender as an overdone Christmas goose"
But we need not follow this conversa-
ton further. Whist was game to which
Ellen had been accustomed from child
hood, and, do not be surprised, gentle
reader, when we tell you that the persua-
sions of Lizzie soon prevailed upon Ellen tc
join her in their favorite game. They were
engaged in the all-absorbing play, wher
the opening of the hall door and the echo O.
we'll known step aroused them and sent thu
blood in crimson torrent over the fai
cheeks and temples of Ellen. "It il
Arthur" she exclaimed, "he must no
find us engaged in this" and hastily
snatching up the cards, she concealed
them beneath pile of periodicals that lay
upon the table.
"I wish the green-Aorn was in purgato-
ry," said Lizzie petulantly.
The door opened and Arthur entered.
Whether or not the charitable wish of
Lizzie's reached his ear, 1 cannot tell,
but certain it is that something very much
resembling smile broke through the cloud
of sadness which seemed to have settled on
his usually serene and smiling countenance
The compliments of the evening were
passed and then the trio remained for some
moments in silence Ellen all the time
fearing that his eagle eye had caught some
struggling glimpse of the cards, and Lizzie
revolving in her mind the probability that
she herself was the cause of DR.. Greene's
unsocial demonstrations, which she thought
were owing to the presence of third and
uninterested party in the parlor of her
uncle at time when "papa and mamma"
were happily away, and but for herself
"the coast might have been clear"
SIS your father and mother at home,
Ellen !" inquired Arthur, at length.
"They are not" she replied, " but we
expect them soon." Again long pause
ensued, which was finally interrupted by
the return of Mr.. and Mrs. Westland.
"What, in the name of wonder, is the
matter with you all :" crie,l Mr.. West
land, as he seated himself by the fire.
I" Why, I havn't seen such q dolorous
looking assemblage before this many a day.
There's Lizzie and Ellen who are always
so full of fun, looking as if the veritable
green-eyed monster had taken possession of
them and you, Arthur, are laboring under
a severe attack Of the blues, ehI by the
way, Ellen had eyes of blue.] Alas what
sad havoc these devils, blue and green, are
making in this sorrowful group" and Mr.