The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1855-04-26


out as young ladies'; and spent their
time in novel reading, trusting to chance
or cheating, for the manuer in which
they should acquit themselves in the
class. .
Lucy applied herself intensely, and
soon outstripped all in her classes, and
was obliged to 90 on With her studies BY
herself. At every examination she was
the observed Of all observers--excelling
in every branch of study, and taking the
first prize in every department her COM
positions, in particular, were regarded as
master pieces, and in short, Lucy was
the pride of the school.
During the two years Of her life in
New York, her manners too bad acquir-
ed polish only given by association with
people of refinement, and even Julia
was proud to introduce cher cousin,
Miss Holmes" Lucys example and
assistance were of great use to Helen,
who proved under her influence very
different character from what she would
have been if left only to the guidance Of
her gay and fashionable sister Jllia.
Though inferior in intellect to Lucy, she
was still far superior to the superficial
young ladies with whom she associated I;
she really learned to love knowledge for
its own sake, aud was prepared on leav-
ing school, to relish style Of reading
; more improving than the light trashy
works of the day, which form the only
reading of many of our gay young ladies'.
Helen was really fine girb and uncom-
monty attractive and interesting.
During the two years in which Lucy
made her home at her uncle's, Herbert
Ferguson continued to be a constant
visitor there, and Julia often wondered
that he made no declaration. When
thinking on the subject, she exclaimed,
" strange, unaccountable !" many times
and often during these two years. She
wondered, too, that Herbert seemed to
love so much to talk with Lucy but
still her self complacency was never in
the least disturbed by the thought of
Lucy as a rival.
And, throughout these two years,
Arthur Holmes, who had entered in the
junior class at Yale, ranked as high in
his class as his sister did in hers. Being
a young man of fine principles, as well
as splendid intellect, he was determined
to show his uncle that he intended to
make the most of the advantages he had
so kindly furnished him. At the end of
two years he graduated with the highest
honors, and was Immediately offered
distinguished professorship in another
college. Who would now recognize in
the easy and elegant Arthur Holmes,
the dfident young clod-hopper" who
alighted from the stage two years be-
fore at his uncle's door
Helen and Lucy had graduated too,
the latter taking all the highest prizes,
ard Helen coming only second to her
and the next day Lucy was to leave for
her Vermont home, when, quite early
in the morning, at least early for visitors,
as it was not yet twelve O'Clock, in look
ing from the window, Julia saw Herbert
Ferguson ascending the steps.
"Strange !" said she, he never calls
so early, and oh dear I am not dress
ed he must have come for somthing
special" And in Autter ofexoitement
j Julia began to arrange her hair. But
her hair was arranged and her toilet
and no messenger had come
to summon her to the parlor.
Pulling the bell, she called to Thomas
and asked him if Mr.. Herbert Ferguson
had not called.
Yes, Miss" Thomas answered.
And why did you not call me,
Thomas , how can you be so stupid.
I" Because, Miss, he asked for Miss
Lucy"
"Stranpe F! unaecounta5s !" eIclaim-
ed Julia, as she walked up ana down
the room, her cheeks flushed WITH ag'ta,
ton "what can be want With Lucy
perhaps he wants her TO make interest
for him with me, or to ascertain my SEN
timents towards him."
Rut the minutes went BY, and Julia
had exclaimed strange unaocounta-
bic !" dozen times, and yet no one