Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-11-02
sG, WEDNESDAY. oCToBER end, Il s5a.

their common sense by expecting them to
believe them.
Matilda now broached the subject of
the picnic. which delighted Miss Tattle-
ton, who promised to do her part toward
having it pass off well. and then, as her
visitor rose to go. she pressed her thin
little finger against her whalebones till
she almost shrieked with pain, and so
they parted with assurances ofunalterable
friendship.
Miss Matilda proceeded from Miss Tat
tleton's' to Mrs. Forests. Her name
was no sooner sent up than Mrs. Forrest
sent for her to come Immediately to her
! daughters sick room. She was most cor
daily received by both the widow and
her daughter.
The latter looked pale and pretty as
as she lay-.n her rich and becoming dres-
sing gown upon the bed, and the widow
looked smiling and patronizing as she re-
ceived her guest.
A cheerful accordance to the picnic
project was given by the widow, and Miss
Manly, after few moments social chat,
bade them adien, to visit others whom
she wished to invite.
" This is fine thing for u.s." said the
widow, " an excellent opportunity to in
crease our acquaintance and extend our
influe nce.''
g 1 have no wish to co. said Lena.
wearily turning upon her pillow. "My
recent accident will be sufficient excuse,
and my time can be passed more agreea-
bly, at home. By-the-by, mother, why do
you suppose Robert Grant has not called
to-day 90
Simply because like yourself he has
been trying his skill at ground and lofty
tumbling. and is not yet able to 60 out"
returned the widow.
'' But Ralph said to-day that he sons
OUT answered Lena, impatiently, ''and
he has neither sent nor come himself to
inquire after my health"
You appear to feel deeply interested
N young Grant" said the widow abrupt
ly, Have you any idea of carrying
this Irritation to serious point ?''
Z" L scarcely know what my intentions
are, but l think there'll be no harm in
bringing the young man to his knees be-
fore me; if l should refuse him, he could
fall back upon Alice Freeland, you know"
Is Alice Freelapd, then a former
flame % inquired the mother, Indifferent
ly.
g In my opinion she is. 1 presume
they thought themselves almost betroth-
ed, but managed to throw an iceberg
between them, if l can Judge by the
last meeting which l witnessed, and Ro-
bert is mine L am certain, at my word
1t is really amusing sometimes to see AL
ices hauter toward him, and her trusting
love for me, whom she deems the most
innocent and loving creature imaginable.
Simple child she is excusable, for she
knows nothing of the world -
| 81 have never seen her yet," said the
widow thoughtfully, Except at church
she has never returned any of your visits,
and every one of your visits, and every
one but herself has called upon US. /
must accompany you in some of your vi
sits there, as 1 really feel anxious to see
if she is such wonder as the villagers
affirm
"Y Yes. to make round of visits here,
one would think they had a second Cor
rinna in the village. BY the way they
praise Alice's beauty and talent and good
ness. Sometimes, when l am by her
side, she really looks SO purely beautiful
that l am almost beside myself with
jealousy /; but 1 have always thus far ma
naged to conceal it from her, and she's
too simple to suspect anything of the
kind. L shall have the pleasure of see
ing her beauty fade some, however, when
she finds her lover is really lost to her.
Ny triumph over her will be sufficient re-
compense for what l have suffered in
bringing her beau ideal to my feet"
a. Perhaps you will never bring him
there" suggested the widow "better
leave the matter to me. and with the aid
of the picnic can readily bring matters
to point
" Thank you,' returned Lena coldly.
'' am aware of your skill in seheming,
and the rarity of your failures, but pre-
fer TO keep this matter in my own hands.
but there is one thing" she added, start
ing up suddenly, g in which require
your aid it is a project which haunts
me day and night, and do what1 will, 1
cannot tear it from my thoughts"
Lena paused aud bent forward with
flashing eyes and pale cheeks towards her
mother.
Mrs. Forrest laid her hand kindly on
her daughters brow. and said
In whatever You need assistance, re-
member Lena. that no one will ever grant
il more readily than your mother
Then listen" said Leena. raising her
jeweled hands. aud sweeping back the
heavy curls thst were falling over her
iaee-"what wish to propose is this
Alice Freeland is writing prize story.
She has it very nearly finished. and has
worked almost day and night TO complete
it in time. a presentiment haunts me
that she will succeed not only in winning
the prize. but in attaining by it fame
which otherwise it would take her years
to acquire. THIS must nOf Be i'' said the
girl bending still clnser tn her mniher-