Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-05-25

dignity, half fawn-like grace-seemed to place
an insurmountable barrier between herself and
me. 1t was not that thought more humbly
Of myself-not that | did not even consider
myself her equal but her dainty blandish-
ments were delicate frost-work, that almost
made me shiver and when she touched her
cool lips to mine, and said Good night, dear,
| felt as if even then separated from her real /,
living self, by wall of freezing marble.
Poor George = said as | retired to rest.
you have welded this soulless woman: and
she will wind you round her finger
i did not sit up for him, for he was de-
:ained till late hour, but obeyed the break
fast bell with questionable eagerness, as
was becoming nervous about our meeting, and
really anxious TO have it over. After de-
lay of some minutes, | heard the welded
pair coming leisurely down the stairs, in very
amicable chatter.
l am glad yon like her, Laura, said a
voice which / knew in moment as that of
George. How | shivered as | caught the
smooth reply,
"A nice little thing. | am very glad Of the
connexion. 1t will be snch relief not to rely
entirely upon servants There should be a
middle class in every family
with these words she glided through the
door, looked with perfect calmness in my
flashing eyes, and said:
'Ah, Fanny | was just telling George
here how much | shall like you
The husband came forward with an embar-
rassed air; | srove to meet him with dignity,
but my heart failed me and burst into tears.
"' Forgive me, madam | said, on regain
ing my composure-'This is our first meeting
since the death Of or tather."'
understand your feelings perfectly, she
quietly replied. My father knew the late Mr..
Somers well, and thought very highly of him.
lie was charitable to fault, and yet remarka-
bic for discernment. His bounty was seldom
unworthlly bestowed
His bounty! | had never been thought
easy to intimidate, but l quailed before this
uHdppIOdCIdDl6 lCeO6TB.
q made no attempt from that moment TO
vindicate what | was pleased TO call my rights,
but awaited passively the progress Of events
After breakfast, Mrs. Somers said to the maid
in attendance:
Dorothy, bring some hot water and towels
for Miss Rankin
ba 6
shall feel the china perfectly safe in your hands,
cousin. These servants so very unreliable :
And she followed George TO the parlor
above, where their lively tones and light
laughter made agreeable music.
In the same easy way, | was invested with
a variety Of domestic cares, most Of them such
as | would willingly have accepted, had she
waited for me TO manifest such willingness.
But few days after my arrival we received
a visit from little Ella Grey, cousin of Lau-
ra's, who was taken seriously i'll on the first
evening Of her stay. A physician was prompt
ly summoned, and, after a conference with
him, Mrs. Somers came to me, enquiring
earnestly,
Cousin FANNY, have you ever had the
measlesl'
! replied in the affirmative.
'Oh, am very glad = was her response,
'for little Ella is attacked with them, and very
severely; but if you will take charge of her,
\ shall feel no anxiety. 1t is dreadful in sick
ness to be obliged TO depend upon hirelngs'
So was duly installed as little Elias
nurse, and, as she was a spoiled child, my
task was neither easy nor agreeable.
No sooner was the whining little creature
sufficiently improved to be taken to her own
home, than the house was thrown into confu-
| sion by preparations for brilliant party
| Laura took me with her on a shopping excur-
| sion, and bade me select whatever | wished,
and send the bill with hers to Mr.. Somers.
purchased few indispensable articles, but I
felt embarrassed by her calm, scrutinzing gaze,
and by the consciousness that every item of
my expenditures would be scanned by perhaps,
censorions eyes.
What with my previous fatigue while act
ing as Elias nurse, and the laborious prepara-
tions for the approaching festival, felt, as the
time drew near, completely exhausted. Yet l
was determined not to so far give way to the
depressing influences that surrounded me, as to
absent myself from the party. So, after snatch
ing an interval of rest, TO relieve my aching
head, dressed myself with unusual care, and
repaired to the brilliantly lighted rooms. They
were already filled, and murmuring like a
swarm OF bees, although, as one Of the guests
remarked, there were more drones than work.
ers in the hive. | was now no droue, GER
lainly, and that was some consolation. When
| entered, Laura was conversing with group
of dashing young men, who were blundering
over book of charades. Seeing me enter,
she came towards me Immediately.
Cousin Fanny, you who help everybody,
| want you TO come to the aid Of these stupid
Young men. Gentlemen, this is our cousin
Fanny, the very best creature in the world
And with this introduction, she left me, and
turned TO greet some new arrivals. After dis
cussing the charades till my ears were weary
of empty and aimIess chatter, | was very glad
to find my group of young men dispensing, and
myself at liberty to look about me, undisturbed.