Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-02-03

ter, as nothing was expected of her, she was
allowed to dress pretty much as her odd fancy
dictated" and an embroidered muslin, her faith
er's holiday gift, was worn much oftener than
her mother or sisters would have thought advi-
sable, had they taken the trouble to think at all
about it. 1t was her chosen dress for this eve-
ming, and when the other girls came down array
ed in light silk Mr.. Dunton, who was confined
to the house by slight iudsposition, said,
"What, all going oat again this evening l was
just wondering why you did not come in, as
was going to ask one of you to read to me; but
see am too late, altogether"
"Oh no, that is, if you will accept me, Papa"
said Patia, with animation, ~ did not wish to 90
to Mrs. Clifford's this evening; but as had no
possible excuse, dared not refuse"
Anna gave her sister look Of contempt,
which said, as plainly as look could say, "you
would not have been missed" But Patia did
not observe it, SO intent was she in obtaining
her fathers consent TO remain. 1t was easily
secured, and with light STEP she returned to
her room, with her cloak and hat, and before she
came down again, the carriage for the girls had
come and gone, and she, no less happy than
they, prepared herself for quiet evening with
her father and mother; rare luxury to one pi-
ming for the withheld affection of kindred. For
OunlON WIS we'll aware tlltI SIG WAS ueS-
titute of the personal charms of her other two
sisters; and she also knew, that with her vain
mother-who was called beauty in her young
er days-this was equivalent to fault of her
own committing.
Not that she had any deformity, or that her
features were particularly irregular; but her
complexion was salow, her hair very light, as
were also her eyes; mouth rather large, and q
lack of fulness about her entire figure; which
was below the medium height But that eve
ming, as she took up a commercial paper" of her
fathers selecting and pushed back the curls from
her face, he wondered that he had never notic-
ed how soft and wavy they were. And then
her voice was so sweet and musical, and her in
tonation so perfect, as she read, that he forgot,
for the time, that he was listening to his "plain
daughter"
An hour, perhaps, had passed thus, when
visitor was announced, and which, to the sur
prise of the little party, proved to be none 9TH
er than Mr.. Merton, whom they all supposed to
be at Mrs Clfiord's AS soon as he had paid
his respects to Mr.. and Mrs. Dunton, he turn
ed to Patia, and said, Having been so fortu-
nate as TO obtain some music, heard you en-
press a wish for, not long since, | have called to
present it to you." Patia took the protfcred
package, blushing deeply, as she offered her
thanks.
81 called at Mrs. Clifford's expecting to find
you there, with the rest Of our worldp"
How very kind !" thought Mr.. Dunton.
"He thinks to win his way to Annie's heart by
attentions to her unfortunate sister," mused the
mother.
And Patia hardly knew what to think To be
thus singled out as an object of especial atten-
ton, was something so new and strange to her
And by such an one as Mr.. Merton too But
she was happy, very, very happy, although she
hardly knew how to answer the half implied
query, of why she was not at Mrs. Clifford's par
ty? but her father, seeing her embarrassment
answered for her, by telling of her offer of re-
naming at home, to read to him; and conclud-
ed by saying,
"And if it has been the means of bringing you
here, am particularly grateful to her, apart
from her previous service"
Mr.. Merton bowed, while Patia blushed more
deeply than before, at what she considered her
fathers unlucky speech. And Mrs. Dunton was
particularly surprised at her husbands stupidi-
ty, in supposing that young gentleman would
leave gay party, where Anna was to come and
spend an evening with them. But young Mer-
ton knew not what she thought and cared as
little. He had come to see Patia, the "plain
udupHtcI. AHu dltcT sic udC sung Tie MUSIC
he brought by his invitation, she played and
sang several airs Of her fathers selecting, so
that it was quite late before the young man took
his leave.
Mr.. Merton was considered the best match
in the village, and many were the conjectures as
to why, and where he went, after he left Mrs.
Clifford's! Anna and Louisa wondered and
fretted with the rest, until they arrived at home
and learned from their MOTHER of his visit. An
ma was highly indignant, at the idea of his call
ing when he knew they were absent! declaring
it little short of adownright insult Not that
she had any regard for him apart from his
wealth-which was considerable-and his posi-
tion in society, but she had singled him out as
her especial devotee; and self-willed and obsti-
nate she could lily brook his, to her, unaccount-
able neglect.
1t was beautiful day, for mid-winter, not
long after Mrs. CIifford's party, that Anna Dun
ton was sitting by window, and watched the
many sleighs that rushed rapidly past while her
mother and sisters busted themselves with their
usual employments. A slight snow had fallen
the night previous, and every one who had any
thing to drive, seemed intent upon enjoying it.
"Dear me but this is tedious!' said Anna.
al do wish father was not so penurious He
might just as well keep horses, rs Mr.. Upson
and a dozen others, who are no better off than
he is J"