The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-10-13

trained graces- The cultivated attractions
Of the lilies which adorn the gorgeous par.
terres OF high society. A good girl loo-
gulIeless, aifeclionaie, and duiiiul; and
spite OF the initiation Of vanity which The
constant breath Of even village admiration
could hardly fail 10 generate in hGr young
brain, might have kept her feet and the
even tenor of her peaceful way, had il no,
unfortunately chanced that fashionable
lady Of Bath whom II is unnecessary 10
name-s,ruck by her appearance aud nat.
ural elegance Of manner, offered To take her
into her service as " companion" educate,
and entirely provide Tor her. The iempla-
tion was irresistible, and Fanny, who had
JUS, turned her sixteenth year, left blao
Anchor in the great Lads carriage. The
promise Of The lady paroness was SO far
fulfilled that she was taugh. so much Of
superficial accomplishment as might be
useful or agreeable 10 her mislress-llair-
dressing, cheek. painting, embroidery-to
play the piano sufficiently well 10 accom-
pany her own voice in The simple ballads
she sang so sweeily, aud 10 read with
enough of skilled emphasis 10 render q
novel or a newspaper inleliaibly TO 4 jaded
listener. About three years had thus passed,
when her mistress died rather suddenly,
and The pretty protcgc found herself provi.
ded for 10 the extent Of ffy pounds, and a
mourning ring 10 be worn as nlemenio OF
The deceased lady's virtues and munifi-
cence.
Thus provided with rich beauty, vain
pretence, and fifty pounds in cash, Fanny
Bennett, after fruilless attempt 10 procure
another situation n /" companion" !" returned
10 fret away her youth with vexalion aud
disgust amidst the meauness and monolony
OF her fathers poor home and It's drudgng
duties, as she had learned TO consider them.
Changed in tender. pulled up with pride,
impatient Of her humble position, the young
morning Of Fanny Benefits life seemed
already darkened with The prophetic shad-
ow of a sinister catastrophe, il | might be-
lieve The pretended careless poslcrp,um
Of letter addressed 10 me at Brislol-where
| was at the time on a visit 10 relative
by my father. had never hin,ed a serious
thought regarding her to him or TO any one
else, but he had leng since no,wlhs,and
ing, as clearly di.ceIned as he strongly dis
approved the feeling toward the beautiful
maiden which seemed 10 grow with my
lie in constantly increasing strength ant
virulily. From my earlieat recollection
had dreamed dreams associated with Fanny
Bennett, and my fathers intelligence pro-
ducing directly CONTRARY effect 10 what ht
intended, invented an excuse Tor hasten
ing home al Guce though with what precise
purpose | hardly knew myself. Whatever
il might have proved, no opportunity was
afforded me Of putting IL in action, for The
day before lefi Blue Anchor, Fanny Ben
melt left il with a Lieutenant Denvir-s
yonug and dashing gentleman, OF attractive
eXterior-to be married, the village fOlk'
reported, with a sneer and a litter, at Bath
The stranger who was passing few day.
al Blue Anchor, had chanced 10 meet he
about forni hi after her return home, ant
The result ust related had ensued. II seem.
ed TO have taken no one by surprise ueilh
er did her return aher about two year
absense, i'll, detected, her beauty dimmet
by grief aud disappointment, accompanies
by young child, her son. She hab not,
seemed, lived with her husband as she per
sisted in calling Mr.. Denvir, for more Thar
six Oi seven months since when she hat
dwell, in obscure lodgings in London barely
supported by occasional remil,ances iron
Mr.. Denvir. These ceased for some time
before her return home and letter reached
her, pulpoliny TO be subscribed by solici,
or, but merely daled London. May II,
1889, by which she was informed that lht
t. gentleman" frum whom the allowance
she received was derived, having died ra,h
er suddenly, il would necessarily be, dis
continued. wrote at her fathers reques
10 the war effice, 10 ascertain The fact OF hi
decease and cour, official reply, inform
ed me lha, il had consulted an army list,
shoald have seen that no Theodore Denv
held commission in her Majesy's service
This was decisive, and no fuIlher doubt re
mained OF the villanous sacrifice TO which
aided by her own rash folly, Fanny Ben
ne, had fallen victim.
Fallen thus low from The imaginary heigh
she had attained The future of the young
wife aud moher--lhere was no doubt, ",
ascerained, that the ceremony OF marriage
had been performed between her and III,
fellow calling himself Lieutenant Denvir-
seemed dreary and well nigh hopeless
ore; aud Mrs. wainwright, who, whaeve
her other qualities, had large share o
woman's sympathy aud compassion, LEI
her in charge Of Laburnum Villa at a fai
salary AMI liberal board wages. and Joel
I'LL The final disposal Of the property, wa
confrmeSin his Office OF gate keeper.
Nothing in connection with the fortune
or misforlunes Of Fanny Bennett OF Denyir
came 10 my knowledge ill four or fiv'
months subsequent, TO Mrs. Wainrighps de
parlure. II was delicious afternoon th,
tide was ont and had been for. some Tim
s,rolling abou on The broad sands OF Bridge
water Bay, chewing the cud Of sweet ant
bitter fancy-ihe latter favor, as | remem
Der strongly Observation-Disclosures Joel Bar
ton, whom had observed busy about
pleasure boat, in which he frequently &c
commodaled The dodgers al Laburnum Will
with row or sail, came rapidly, and viii
seeming purpose, towards me. His face
as he abruptly stopped and inieni!y recon
noiiered my counienance, wore, II sirucI
me, peculiarly malicious, or, at all events
mocking, as we'll as its usual indecisive
@avering expression.
"I have been, Master Hollord," he be
gan, "shoving :he boat out towards low wa
ter mark, so iha, she may floa, soon ale
The tide rises; our housekeepoI and Mr.
Churston are going out together for sail
not for the first time, ether" .,
"Your housekeeper and Mr.. Chursson )!
7 ,arily reioined, vexed that ! could not con
ceal the hot flush, which instantly made
my ears iingle, my eyes flash, and my
cheeks ieel like burning Goals. "What il
that 10 mel"
Joel laughed, and was about 10 make
some fierce and therefore foolish reply, wher
he said, with quick seriousness Of tone:
al always 60 with them, Master Holiord
always. Do you know" he added, peerins
with his dark, uncertain eyes close into my
Eace-.'do YOU know that only yesterday
when they were out together, the little boy
TL.,Jo,, ,vouid bave heen drowned huf fol