Smyrna times., 1855-03-07

N WV A"UASS "eAe soon on their way to
Silver Lake farm.
show long since your dear sister died ~
asked Maria, placing her arm lovingly around
her companions waist, fearing she had struck
tender chord in Laura's heart.
"Jane! Oh, why she's been dead now nine
months. Mercy how time flies! COMPTON wor-
shipped her-he esteems all our family for Lor
sake He reluctantly permitted me to leave
the house after her interment! We were said
to bear striking resemblance, indeed: were
frequently las-called by the others name.'
" And you reside with Mr.. Lex in order that
MI Compton may enjoy the consolation of an
occasional view OF you,' said the obtuse Maria.
ieeing new charity kindling within her toward
Laura Tor what seemed an expression of kind
ness to bereaved brother; an expression of
kindness, costing the bitter sacrifice of home
and parents
. Irue' replied the prcsumotuous lady, "my
presence, no doubt, contributes to amelorate
his sorrow"
AFTER a half hours ride through a grand. old
wood, whose interviewer foliage allowed tn, eve
scarcely glimpse Of the sky, the road Law
along narrow, toriuous passage, between a
row OF lofty hills and placid lake, whose mar
GIN was boraered by long line of willows
affordIng complete shelter from the sun. Our
heroine was iD a ra apture. "Oh!" she exclaim.
ed' !" what romantic spot! How grateful is
the pure country air How magnificent the
If
would dearly love to live in that house, Wonder
over the lake, whose white gable peeps ont
from among the trees-if sister Matte were
there-slSter Matte and Salie, and brother
Will"
"Ah, Maria, that house would have been nv
home' had not desire to be perfectly consistent
ana TO mark my conduct with the strictest D.
pcarlncc of prom ETY., induced me to retire to
Port Augusta till--tll-Mr. Compton shall in
Sst upon my taking up permanent residence
at Silver Lake farm -
For the first time the truth flashed upon
Maria mind: surprise and delicacy kept her
silent upon the subject during the renlaindero of
the ride. AS the carriage approached George
ComPton's domicil, Laura Bennett gazed upon
The teemlng acres around her with feelings
similar to those of Ichabod Crane, when. astr,de
of Hans Van RlPper's horse, he galloped through
the prolific farm of Baltus Van TasseI. whose
daughter and hclress he hoped confidently to
make his bride. In few minutes our travel
lers arrived at their destination. The old COL
ored man of all work came bustling out to omen
the big gate.
Good evening, Boaz," said Laura; Give
brought nice young lady to see you"
"And handsome young lady she is too, most
msuredly," responded the black, desiring to be
highly complimentary, although. in fact, he had
not seen single feature of Maria's face
Il suppose you'll not object to an inspection
OF the hot-house and poultry dominions," said
Laura. Boaz, like all his anthracite brothers.
Prldcd himself upon superior style of address
and language; bowing awkwardly and extend
ing his arms at full length, he replied, "The
preposterness OF such forbid would be scanda-
ious-please proceed wherever your indigna-
ton may suggest without further debate"
Maria was exceedingly pleased with George
Compton-he was just her idea of a gentleman.
Polite, frank and prepossessing, without the
ultra soictude that makes one feel himself a
ourden,or the remisSness that excites fear tha,
we are an lnterloper. She had formed an err
roneouS opinion of farmers, from the bury, un-
civIliellows, encountered in the city markets,
and she was very agreeably disap ppointed to dis
] I.rny ynr = l. [ 4
ard sincerity which constitute the real gentle
man.. s.H r. .,.r.' .. T.
Mr.. Compton handed his visitors from one
spot OF interest to another, until the shadows
OF evening gathering around, warned them to
depart. Alter regaling themselves upon glass
OF eXhllaratlng milk and a slice of Beckio
Green's gingerbread, which Laura anathema.
tized rand Maria pronounced excellent. the
ladies entered the carriage. Boaz bowed then,
Trough the gate hoping they had ''tantalized
their expectations" .....u ...... -. 49,.
ID George Compton had never looked. upor
Laura Bennetwiih other thar brotherly esteem
Endowed with considerable depth of mind and
observation he readily perceived her siniste,
motives and carefully guarded his speech, les
!
he should encourage her baseless hopes. .sHe
was gHd when she left the, premises aud sorry
When he learned her intention to linger in the
neigSborho9d. Her conduct filled him witt
mortiiication and disgust, and lie resolved Il
send her to her parents BY marrying sooner
Than he would have thought Of doing dom under
other cirenmstanpes, if the object be could 10y,
+ crossed hlsp path. He'had observed MariaI Gil
bert IN the pastor's pew (Which was near his
in church, and, though he could not Judge in
lallibly there, he silently pronounced her: modes
and unasSuming. These epithets were ,empha
sized after the visit narrated and as he becam,
more S1lT1i lTn1limale acquainted With that exampla
YyoAng LADY, he seriously contemplated, he
industry so conspicuous at the 7pnrsonage, an,
her floSeliness so conspicuous everywhere He