The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-06-20

lage, at seeing it carried to so great an
excess by old women, young ladies, and
children, and l always take care to ex-
press my sentiments openly, on this sub
ject."
"Why, Bob" answered his friend "you
are acting the very way to be deceived in
the end. But do not think yoar lovely
Sarah uses it, for she looks too intelIipen,
and refined, to be guilty Of so unlady-lke
apractice."
"Morey,' said friend, coming up at
that moment, wish to conduct you TO
the star you have been gazing at all the
evening, as If there were not others as fair
and bright. You need not try to hide
it." he continued, as Morey colored "come
go follow where your heart is gone-and
II l can read things Alright, your presence
will not be very dlsagreeable to her. She
has been quite complimentary to you this
evening. So come join us in the dance
Ill wager my head, that she will no,
no. refuse you, though she has been COM
planning Of fatigue to Others"
So saying, Roberts two friends left him
with shake Of the head and saucy smile,
and passed on to the refreshment room.
while he sought the siie of Sarah and
soon forgot every Thing else in the charm
OF her smile. To he her partner in the
dance and promenade-to have her lean
softly on his arm, to listen to the low tones
Z" her voice, so earnest and tender, with
the fialtery poured in his ear by his friend
finished him; and before the evening
was over, his hear, WAS indeed gone
and he had resolved to win her il he could
IN despite of The absent lover.
Sarah and her parents were conversinc
next day abont the party, and she enter
tained them with an account Of the de-
liGhtful time they had, describing the
dresses the girls wore, and recountinp
The number Of beaux present, and men
tioning those who paid particular at,en-
ton to her during the evening-especial-
fy the devotion Of Mr.. Morcy-tho' not
word OF her own delicate atten tion, soft
looks and batteries, that enchanted him.
"fes," said Mrs. Goodman to her hus.
band, "some girls who were in here this
morning. was telling about what nice
beau Sarah had caught last night. But
what good will it do3" continued she with
a sigh, "if she had not SO foolishly en-.
gagged herself against my advice, she
might now perhaps be the wife of Mr.
Morey. one Of the first merchants Of the
place, and her establishment be euvied
by all the"
"And she may yet" answered Mr.. G.,
"for il she could get Mr.. Morey, should
not hesitate one instant between such
son in-aw and the poor mechanic, whom
she may never hear Of or see again."
Sarah played with her apron string,
while her lovely countenance wore troub-
led look--though it was for her absent
lover, whom she had never really loved,
and whom she was not sorry to give up
fora wealthier and handsomer suiter.
"But father, he has certainly heard Of
the engagement, for il has been spoken
Of opcnIy--and l have imagined that was
what kept him so distant so long. If he
should ask me concerning the report
could not deny it,"
"You must tell him." said the unscru
pulous parent, that you came near an en-
gagement with him once, but il was bro
ken of. And" continued he, earnestly,
'you must not stand about that; get him
IL you can. for he is husband worth hav-
ing, and is worth plum, I can tell
you"
Thus schooled in deception, by her
worldly minded parents, she determined
To follow their advice, nothing 10th, and
to endeavor to strengthen the feelings she
felt conscious she had inspired him with.
She him expected him that evening and
was not disappointed, and before the eve
ming was over she made him believe she
did not use that vile stuff snuff, as she
called i, and was entirely free and unen.
gagged.
In a month or two Mr.. -, formally
gave bis consent 10 their union, and prep
arntions were cosnmsneed Cor the wedding.
The old people were delighted with her
success. Sarah. pleased that she got nd
Of bad engagement, and cur out All the
girls in getting the handscmest and rich
est bean among them, aud Robert Morey
congratulated himself. thar he Was about
70 get wife that seemed to possess those