Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-02-12
ELISE DE VAUX.
BY FANNY FERN.

Well doctor, what do you think of her She has
set her heart upon going the New Years Ball. and
it will never do to disappoint her, poor thing
The blunt old doctor bit his lip mpaIently, and
striking his gold headed cain in no very gentemany
manner upon the floor, said
"Thnk! think it would be perfect insanity for her
to attemptit. | won't be answerable for the conse-
quences."
"Pshaw my dear sir, she had dozen attacks be-
fore quite as bad, and
"And that is the very reason why she should be
more cautious now, madam. Good morning Heav-
en- save from these fashionable Mothers he NUT
tered, he banged the door to behind him. "Shell
kill the girl, and then her death will be laid to nv
door-ugh 1T would be comfort if could meet
| sensible woman OccasiOnally.''
Elise sitting in bed, propped up by pillows when
her mother entered If YOUTH grace and beauty could
bride the destroyer, or turn aside his uneering AIM
then had she been spared. Her cheek was marble
PALE and rested YEARLY little hand, the eyes
closed if sleeping, and from the other hand
few choice flowers had escaped, and lay scattered up
on the snowy counterpane.
ooh is that YOU, mamma ! hope you have made
that stupid doctor give you something that will set
up. feel such deadly sinking from want of nour-
ishment, fancy. Do pray what you get for
me. | hope DR.. Wyman don't presume to interfere
about my going to the ball, because | intend to go,
dead or alive-and mamma, while my lunch is getting
ready bring my dress, and let me see if Jeannet
has placed the trimmings where they should be, and
have rache placed around the wrist of my kid gloves
and mamma don't forget to send to Austers for that
pearl spray selected for my hairs I'm looking awful
| ly pale'
mot now,' said the frightened mother, "you are
too weary. Wait till you have had some refresh
ments - and the pale beauty sank back her pill
low crushing wreath of dark ringlcts, and closing
her eyes YEARLY, in spite of her determination to b
areH.
ring at the door Ga bright flush came to her
cheeky 'Thats Vivian, mamma. Tell hm-tell him
(and sharp pain through her temples forced her to
pause) tell him Pm better, and he may call for at
! ten tomorrow night y and mamma, hand him this y
and she drew little perlumed note from beneath her
pillow with rosebud crushed in its folds.
"Draw aside the curtain, Jeannet! Oh! shall
have nice evening for the dance; hand me my
dressing gown. Mamma that medicine is perfectly mi
raculous-I never felt better. Heaven knows where
| should have been, had you not called in better
counsellor than DIR. Wyman. He would like me fol-
a patient year, dare say, but know better thar
to line his pockets in that way, and she skipped gai
across the floor to large fanteuil and called Jeanne
to arrange her hair.
"Softly-softly, Jeannet my head isn't quite right
yet There that will do, said Elise, the skilllu
French bound tress after tress in glossy braid
around her we'll formed head. Now place that pear
spray little to the left, just my earpretty, is j
not mamma %
"Here Jeannet 70 and she extended the dainty foo
for its silken hose and satin slipper.
Crest awhile now, Elise,'' said her mother sh(
looked apprehensivey the bright crimson spot Oh
her cheek, that grew deeper every moment, and con
trasted so strkngly with the marble paleness of he
brow l am afraid you going beyond your strength
"Mamma what are you thinking about Look at me
and see how well look. Besides, I'd 90 to this bal
tonight, if it cost my life. Mabel has triumphe
over me Once she shall not do it second time. Be
sides there is really danger; feel wild with spir
its tonight and anticipate most brilliant evening,
and she cIasped the pearl pendants in her small
and the light feecy dress fell in soft folds about he
t graceful person, and upon her fair arms placed hi
gift and taking in her hand the rich boquet, ever
; flower of which whispered hopes to her young hear
she held up her cheek with bewitching smile, an
said
! SHOW kiss me, mamma, and say that you Prou
r of Elise
+ And now Jeannet, with oficious care, draws tn
rich opera cloak about her shoulders, and with thou
sand charges from mamma ''to beware of the draught
parake sparngly of ice, and not weary herself wit
dancng,' the carriage wheels roll away from the doc
freighted with their lovely burden.
"Elise de Vaux here p said tall, queenly GIRL al
tired in black velVet and she curled her pretty il
with il-conceaed vexation. 81 thought her dying, c
near it - and as Elise glided gracefully past in tn
Dance every eye followed her and every tongue eli
quent in her praise, Mabel's cheek paled with ange
Chow radiant she is how dazzling Sickness h5
enhanced her beauty, and how proudly Vivian beal
her through the waltz Every step they take is Q
my heart strings This must not, shall not be
Courage coward heart - and mastering her feeling
with strong exercise of will brought the ros
to her cheek, her eye grew wildly brllhant anu I'd
not Vivian been magnetsed past recall, his eye wou
N have been caught by the dazzling vision.
All eyes were fixed upon the rival bellies, and ami
the vouptuous swell of music the flashing of light
the overpoweriag sweetness of myriad flowers. an
the rapid whirling motion of the dance every bral
y and heart were dizzy with excitement.
y sHeavens that is not Elise de Vaux," said nj
phew OF DR. Wymans. ssWhat mad folly! My VI
Gle told me If she came it would be at the price
her life How surprisingly beautiful she is p
Still on--and on they whrled! the danceTs s--t
the stars grew pale, and the sweet flowers dropped
: the heated atmosphere.
mo sleep till morn, when youth and pleasure meet,