Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-04-21

Won would assist me in my design, and
nerhaps receive for little while, under
our own roof, this neglected child Of or
phanape and want have no other
friend of whom | could ask similar ia
yor. and il find I am presuming too
much on you, believe must try to fall
in love and get married, SO that can
take my protegee to home OF my own."
Mrs.. Clifford had not the most dist
ant idea of permitting him to do so pre-
posterous thing, for she had long since
appropriated him 20 Rosomond, whom
as a child he now petted and caressed,
and whom, il he continued as he now was
fancy free, as woman he must newt
ably love. When he first mentioned
the girl and expressed such strong in
teresi in her behalf. abe began to trem-
bic in anticipation, fearing a future rival
in her views; but the lean sallow face,
half eyes and halt bone. Just delineated,
tranquillized her fears, and as ner fears
subsidized her pity strengthened. And
Rosomond, though too young to enter
into her mothers speculations, felt her
sympathy increased tenfold since she
had learned that nature had gone hand
in hand with fortune, and been equally
niggard of her boons. She was untor-
tunately an only child, and accustomed
to be an object OF exclusive attention in
the household, from her idolizing mother
down TO the lowest mental. The guests
too easily understood the way to Mrs.
Clifford heart, and as Rosomond was
pretty and sprightly, they derived a
musement from her little airs and gra-
ces. But what fattered her vanity and
elated her pride more than any thing
else, Cecil Dormer, so distinguished for
wealth aud accomplishments, 50 courted
and admired, seemed to prefer her COM
psny to the society OF grown ladies', who
had often declared themselves jealous to
her, aud threatened, when she was few
years older, to shut her up in some con-
vent or cell. Thus imperceptibly ac-
curing an exaggerated idea ol her own
consequence. and believing the love ana
admiration OF all her inalienable right
had Cecil represented the orphan Euge-
mia as beautiful and charming, 10 is more
than probable she would have regarded
her as a dreaded encroocher on bound
aries which nature had prescribed and
fortune gaarded-but Tor the ugiy Eugc-
ala all her sympathies are enlisted, and
she pleaded her mother SO warmly TO
bring her there directly, aud take her
away from that dreadful womnn for good
and all, that Cecil was delighted with her
sensiblity and benevolence, aud rejoced
ia such u juvenile coadjutor.
The next morning Mrs. Clifford ac-
ompanied Dormer to Mrs. Grundy 5, the
woman OF the leathern thong, OF whom
she requested the history OF Eugenia.
Mrs. Grundy was sullen, aud but little
disposed to be communicative. She
declared she knew nothing about her
mother, only that she came there as
boarder, with barely sufficient to pay the
expenses OF her lodgings; that she Tell
sick soon alter, and died, leaving the lit
tie girl on in her hands, with nothing in
the world but a grand name Tor her sup
port. She expressed no gratitude or
pleasure at the prospect oil being reeas-
ed from the burthen under which she
qroaned, but grumbed about her own
hard lot, insinuating that idleness and
ingratitude were always sure to be re.
warded. Eugenia's appearance was a
living commentary on the truth OF Dor.
mers story. Her neck and shoulders
were strea xed with swollen and liyid
lines, and her large, blood-shot eyes
spoke OF repressed aud unutterable an
guish. When told oil the now home u
which she was to be transferred, tina,
she was to be placed by Dormer under
the protection OF Mrs. Clifford. aud thai
II she were agood girl, and merited such
advantages, she should be sent to school
and be fitted for a respectable station ir
society -she stood like one bewildered
as il awaking from n dream. Then. af.
ter taking in the truth Of her position
she turned towards Dormer with won,
deriu quckness and even grace of mo-
ton, and clasping her hands together
attempted to speak, but burst into a pas
sionate fit of weeping.
"There!" cried Mrs. Grundy, "Tou sec
what an ungratelul cretur she is. Dc
what you will for her, she does nothing
but cry. Well! all | hope, you'll not BE-
sick OF your bargain, and be imposing Oh
me, before the week comes round again
But give you warning, when once sh,
gets ourol my doors, she never darkeni
them n second time"
Dormer cast upon her a whitening look
but disdaining to reply to mere vulgarity
and insolence, he took the hand OF thu
sobbing child, and motioning to Mrs
Clifford, they lett the room, while Mrs
Grundy's voice, keeping up a deep
thorough bass, followed them till th,
door OF the carriage was closed and tn,
the rumbling OF the wheels drowned &c
cents which certainly "by distance wer,
made more sweet"
Eugenia had not been an hour undo
the roof OF Mrs. Clifford, before a com
plete transformation was effected, by tn,
supervising care Of the proud and bus,
Rosomond. Her waiting-maid was pa
in active employment,in combing, brush
ing and periuming Eugenia's neglecte
hair, her wardrobe was ransacked 10 sup
ply her fitting apparel her mothers med
icine chest was opened to furnish
/ utuilnR llulmtut iOf utf lubcFdttu HUN
which was afterwards covered by a nea
muslin apron.
"Now look at yourself in the glas,
said Rosomond, leading her to u larg'
mirror, which reelected the figure a
full length, "don't you look NIGEL"
Eugenia cast one glance, then turne
away with deep sigh. The contrast o
her own tawny visage and meagre limb
with the fair, bright, round, joyous fac
and glowing lineaments OF Rosomont
was tno painful; but Rosomoud love
to liresr where a comparison so favora
BILE to herself could be drawn, and he
kind feelings to Eugenla rose in proper
ton TO tho self-complacency OF whic
she was the cause.
IL was happy little circle which me
that evening around Mrs. Cliiford's table
Mrs. Clifford was happy In the new clair
she had acquired over Cecil Dormer,an