Smyrna times., 1857-02-04

a dread (she could not tell WHY of meeting
her, as we'll as Sophia. She had only time to
| remove her travelling dress and arrange her
hair before the tea-ben rang. The maid came
to conduct her down stairs, and she found her
uncle there, ready to introduce her to her new
relations. Mrs. Harley received her with some
show of affection, kissing her and calling her,
"my dear Miss Harding" Sophia extended
the tips of her fingers to her, and hoped she did
not feel fatigued after her journey. d Poor Elma.
the tears started to her eyes at this reception
she was not prepared for such coldness. She
looked towards her uncle and thought she saw
saddened expression in his countenance, but
he said nothing. Supper passed off quietly,
and, feeling much fatigued, Elma soon retired,
deeming it luxury to be once more alene. In
a few days, Mrs. Harley told Elma of her wish
that she should take charge of the studies of
her young daughters. She did not wish her to
cOnfne herself closely by any means, she said,
but she thought it would serve to draw her
thoughts off from he affliction, a she would not,
OF course, wish to mix in society for sometime.
This arrangement, though not made in kindness
to Elma suited her precisely. She wousd not
now be wholly dependent upon her uncle:
thought which had troubled her greatly. In
due time, she was installed as governess to the
little llareys,-- and never were pupils better
IN the world. Elma was not long in gaining
their young hearts, and often felt herself fully
paid for her trouble, by the love they bestowed
upon her; aud, would have heen comparatively
happy, but for The indifference of her aunt and
cousin, who constantly endeavored tomake her
feel that she was only Miss Harding, the
GOrerRess," and that she had no claims upon
them whatever. Her evenings were spent
with her uncle, in reading or conversation,
when the parlors we're flled with COMPANY
She did not tell him she was not asked to Join
lhcm,-she did not wish to do 80 while she
could be with him, but it would have made her
feel more pleasant to have been asked. She
could not help thinking, sometimes, of the time
when she was the life of the gay circle-when
1t was esteemed an honor to be numbered
among her acquantances. But she would not
allow such thoughts to make her unhappy-ex-
Perence had taught her that happiness consist
ed not in wealth and worldly emolument-
! When Elma had been at her uncle's about six
months. Mrs. Harley and Sophia concluded to
give an entertainment, which was to be on a
grand scale, in fact, the crowning one of the
season. Many persons of wealth and high
position in society We're expected 10 be present,
and among them Clarence Morton, "a young man
ot talent and miLLionnaire--two reasons why
he was pOpular,-and when we add great per-
sonal attractions, it will not be wondered al
that he was considered by the fashionable world
cs quite " "catch.' He was, indeed, worth the
winning, as we shall see. He had been travel.
ling abroad for sometime and just returned
soon after this, he met Sophia Harley at con.
cert, was pleased with her appearance, and re.
quested an introduction. She was gratifed
with his attention, and determined to use every
means in her power to secure him. On the
morning of the day when the party was to come
off, Mrs. Harley called upon Elma in her room
to inform her of the approaching event:
My dear Elmo, you are perhaps aware thai
we expect a. number Of friends this evening
and thought 1t best to say to you, that ,se toil
not require you to be present; your dress GnC
feelings pOuId not, Of course, accord With S,
much gaiety." !" "a. '.'s
Elma merely bowed, not deigning reply L
Mrs. Harley's command-for such it was, though
couched in the most polite language.
Sophia and her mother had been a long tim,
;. together that morning, devisihg means TO ge
: rId Of Elma for the evening 1t would be al
insult TO their friends, Sophia said, 10 lntrud
!, their goperness upon them. The plan was a
last resorled to that we have described. The,
: would not acknowledge the true reason 70
Wishing Elma out Of the way, even to eac
other; but both felt that it would not do t
bring Clarence Morton and Elma ltogether,-
From the first moment that she beheld tn
: beautiful orphan, Sophia telt that she had
rival, and, although she had SO, often been con
7 plimented upop her beauty, she had discern
@sant enough to see that she copld not cOmPar
= with Elma, s.. ,.,.t.l .s.,.... :,
q The time at. length arrived, and the room
:. were, filed with all the wealth, and fashion
IA the cliy.l .Sephlarwas arrayedowlth much tas
.. aud ina manner to greatly enhance her beaut
ii and no, opes then, could say that she did n
q look loyely,i Clarence Morton, at least, thoug
:. SO owheDlhe Psid1his respects to her that eve
,e ing. Mrs. Harley was in a perfect fever Of 9
!. citemeat;i she feltthsl her entertainment wou
N bsa great success, and she believed il won
&c &c bring Merton tos confession, for bow could
~ v: yjshssaBd ssephia'sd levelinesss Mr., ,Harl
ii, soon made his appearance, wishing in bis hes
Ig that parties had meyer been thoaghtef eHe-w
"e greatly disepPoiaiedatnot finding Elma; heh
y bsenanticipaung ihe sensation her beauty wor
' ~ ereaiepandanow, that she MSS met there, 1
time dragged hesylyso,H would have sent
Fs her room tor her, but hF wife tpldv him she y
'ti suffering with The headschsii cand, in that,
l.. = Z -