Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-03-17

pang shot through her maternal heart. Sam
renamed silent; his white flabby face and
hali-closed eyes afording no index to the ma
ture OF his nominations. Unaccustomed to the
society of strangers, it may be supposed that
Mrs. Scrope and Sam felt little nervous at
the expected visit of well-bred Young lady,
placed in such extremely delicate and peculiar
circumstances towards themselves, as Espeth
Gordon was. Mr.. Whitehead had departed to
another world after only a few days. illness,
soon after his last visit to Miss Pamela Cor
don, bequeathing the whole of his large for
tune, without any deduction whatever, to Sam
uel ScroPe, of Scrope Hall, on condition of
the said Samuel Scrope marrying Elpsbeth
Gordon, daughter of the late Captain Gordon,
and Mary his wife; the said marriage to take
place within twelve months after the testator S
decease. In the event of the said Samuel
Scrope refuses 10 ratify the said condition, and
rejecting the lady, he forfeited the fortune,
which then became Elspeth Gordon's. But
If the lady rejected the gentleman, why then
OF course rice UerSa. Moreover, Mr. White
head had provided for every contingency. If
the couple, by mutual consent, refused to fulfil
the stipulated conditions, the many scores Of
thousands went>to enrich various charities, al
most unheard of even by the most philanthrop-
ic. As TO Elspeth Gordon refusing Sam, that
was thing Mr. Whitehead never dreamed of +;
penniless girl, like the daughter Of his lost
Mary TO cast fortune away-nay, two fortunes
was unheard of in the annals of romantic
folly. So he secured her, as he considered, an
excellent husband and luxurious home. -
Then the idea of Sam Scrope, prudent and
money-loving as he was known to be, refusing
pretty girl and still prettier doucuer, for
any whim short Of insanity, was far too wild
and improbable conjecture 10 gain footing in
Mr.. Whltehead's calculations. Sam, uniul-
passioned and cold as he was, would hardly re-
ject fine, lively, good-tempered young crea-
ture, marrying whom he would insure 10 him
self the possession of nearly 100000.
Elspeth Gordon had received an invita-
ton TO Scrope Hall, for the purpose Of being
introduced to her cousin; and Miss Pamela,
to Mrs. Scrope's astonishment, had herself
written to accept it in Ellies name, a; the
same time wishing good speed to the WOO.
ing
The evenlful day arrived; Sam had thrown
aside his flannel wraps, and arrayed in a
bright new coat, with well-oied hair, was
surveyed by his admiring mother with looks
of unmitigaed admiration.
20 mother,' he said, 4 am all in a fuster !;
don't know what to say her,
i dare to say she is in more Of huster
than you, Sam, my dear; so let that comfort
you. She won't meet your eyes, depend
upon il; girls are always shy on such trying
occasions as these
80 endeayoring TO rally her sons spirits,
and to support his dropping courage, Mrs
Scrope remarked that she every moment ex-
pected 10 hear the sound of carriage wheels
approaching, as it was rather beyondlhe hour
fixed for the arrival of their guest The
crack of riding whip was heard in the hall
the door of the apartment was flung open,
and lady attired in a riding costume, rapid
y entered, exclaiming, Down, Juno down
PeIo' as the two huge dogs leaped about
her, creating confusion and dsmay in all the
beholders, for if Mrs. Scrope and Sam hated
one thing more than another, it was dog.
With dismay and surprise painted on her
cOuntenance, Mrs. Scrope, turning to the do
mestics said in hasty tone: Turn them
out turn out these troublesome creatures
immediately 7 But Miss Espeth Gordon
for il was she-peremptorily exclaimed: i
should strongly advise nobodyto meddle with
my dogs; they are savage, and will bite
strangers, unless left alone, and never obey
any one except me and Mom.' Shrinking
| from contact with the unruly animals, and
in The utmost CONSERVATION, Mrs. Scrope sur
veyed her young visitor. A TALL finely
formed, though slender figure, was SET off by
tightly fitting habit; while pair Of green
sPecIacles, of ahtiquated make aided by a
slouching hat, concealed the upper portion
of the Strangers face. The mouth, however,
displayed set of dazzling white teeth, al
though The voice proceeding from that mouth
uttered wonderful things for limid young
lady, but with remarkably soft and musical
moduation. Turning suddenly round TO-
wards Sam, who had retrealed to the further
end Of the room, the owner of the green
specs, regarded him ixedIy for few min
utes, advanced with extended hand, saying !:
we won't wait for formal introduction,
Cousin Samuel, will we?' Come, don't be
shy; shake hands, and be friends. Now
Juno, now Peto-here, let me introduce you
10 your new MASTER
But poor Sam was desperately afraid of
large dogs, and he looked so scared and mis-
erable, that the gay lady INDUCED in an i'm
moderate fit of laughter, which she vainly en-
deavored TO control. Recovered hers elf with
difficulty, she said with much suavity and
genteness, You'll get used to them in time,
Cousin Sam: cannot live without them =
And how did you come, my dear?' said
Mrs. Scrope, willing to get away from the
subject, Sam and were listening tor the
sound Of carriage-whees on the avenue, but
we heard none.'
Carriage wheels, indeed?' cried Ellie