Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-04-11

came at times almost VIII WIN eAClleIHehl'
Of course so much beauty, set OFT by the
gliding of wealth, was not without Its crowd
of hatterers and devotees. She had sufi'
cient tact to conceal from casual observers
her deficiency IN mental culture and the
deformities Of her temper. She was natu-
rally quick and witty, though her wit not
unfrequently disported in unkind and keen
sarcasm.
Anna loved her beautiful relative very
dearly, yet had quite too much penetration
not to discover with unavailing regret her
folbles of mind and character.
Alice went into ecstacies over her calm
and self-possessed little cousin-none the
less, perhaps, that there was apparently so
little danger Of her becoming a very formi-
dable rival.
CHAPTER II.
--s'The million fit as gay,
As if created only like the flies
That spread their motley wings in the eye of
noon
To sport their season and be seen no more;
The rest are sober dreamers, grave and wise"
Annals visit to her kind and hospitable
relatives was passing pleasantly. In the
refined society of Richmond, she formed
many congenial friendship. Alice was
cordial and affectionate, and her sprightli-
ness ever fresh and flowing.
One morning Anna was seated in her
own apartment, deeply absorbed in reading,
when Alice suddenly dashed into the room
exclaiming-
"Wel, in what dress are you intend
ing to enrobe your symmetrical little self
on tomorrow EVENING" Now pray put up
that large volume and chat awhile with me /;
for my part can't conceive how you can
find any entertainment in books Of such
portenous dimensions-they are only fit
for those unfortunate splnster's whom Fred
Warner denominates the wall-howers Of
society
"Since you have demolished my favorite
author so unceremoniously, Alice, | suppose
must give my attention to this matter of
dress. But as we are only to have a small
party now,l presume my white muslin will
not be unsuited 10 the occasion, or to the
character in which | expect to figure as a
wall flower
"Sure enough" rather pettishy rejoined
Alice, 1.-the mald-servantS are sick, as usu-
al, just in time to prevent our having a
large party-'sick on excessive sweetness
of the sweetmeats suspect. Now, Anna,
enjoy parties as you seem to do books, in
proportion to their size. fear that my ell
egant new Parisian satin will have few3en-
viers and admirers. But at all events,
intend to look particularly we'll tomorrow
night, as expect to carry on at least two
flirtations. Phil. Danvers, the wealthy old
South Carolnian, is to be here, and then,
too, I'm gong to make another desperate
attack on Ernest Wentworth's hitherto in
vulnerable heart ;-you see I'm bent on
exciting Fred Warmers jealousy, as he has
pretended for some time to be very much
absorbed with that silly and disagreeable
Kate Sutherland, who is trying very hard
to make an impression"
"Why,my dear cousin, how you run on !!
/ thought you and Miss Sutherland were
very intimate friends, from the lively and
seemingly afectionate chat you and she
kept up during most ofher call yesterday" :"
"Oh, you little unsophsticated country
lassie, don't you know that is the way we
fashionable friends carry on before folks,
but it's quite another thing behind the
scenes assure you" mr O..
$50 percieve," said Anna, "and | am
beginning to fear that fashionable society is
even more heartless than had imagined
but really Alice"-
"Oh,spare me,spare me |! my little Meth
odist, have not moments time to listen
to sermons this morning. But | want to
tell you something about the beauX you will
meet tomorrow evening. There's Fred.
Warner, whom | mentioned just now; he
is very nice young man-spotless kids
and faultless neck lies IL always feel SO
easy too IN conversation with him, as he
reads nothing of consequence; he was my
true knight until he heard that Kate Suth-
erland would inherit larger fortune, and
he is actually about to 90 over to the enc
my. Money is his great object, and he
will marry no one who has not handsome
pile" 7Hae
"Ah!" said Anna. 'And if he esteems
the lady's money such high consideration
in marriage, and so indispensably requisite,
pray what does he propose TO give her in
return.
That question, imagine. has never oc-
Cured to the young gentleman" replied
Alice, but | will pszzle him with it the
very next time he speaks on the subject in
my presence"
'Be charitable with HIM, Alice he prob
ably feels that he is unfortunate in his IN
tellect or energy, and that even in this fer
tile land, he can make living in no other
way than by becoming the pensioner of
some soft headed lady; and it must be very
huniliating 10 blm to have actually to con-
fess as much"
"Well, you have moved my sympathies
and ] shall hereafter treat him as one un-
der the misfortune of loss Of self-respect.
But really, coz, if ever / am reduced to the
necessity of purchasing a husband with my
money, will cndeavor TO select an article
that is at least ornamental if not us~ful.-l
You will ALSO" she continued, "meet Phil.
Danvers; rather old, It's true, aud not quite
SO refined and accomplished as you might
eynect comInr from Soutb Caroline L,t