Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-02-18

more than double your years, and she
can judge better than you in this mat
ter Ientreat you to consider it well
and pause now before it is too late
''Spare your entreaties, mother,
have promised, and am going with Mr.
PAyson tonight; in fact | believe he is
at the hall door now" And rising she
went to the door to listen for his steps.
''Then, Margarette, hear me; if nei-
ther entreaties, nor tears, a mother S
tears, will prevail to save you, will use
authority. l command you to remain
in your room; 1 will see Mr.. Payson,
land make your excuses for to nig ght and
the future"
She was passing out, when Margaret
E Mother tih--f The tail form of the
young girl was drawn up to its full
height, and she seemed to look down up
on her mother, as her splendid eyes shot
forth rays of angry light. "Am L a
child, to be commanded thus 2 she said,
in low kissing tone. ''Henceforth l
consult only my own incliuations, and
if you dare to interfere, my mother
though you are, you will regret it as
long as you live. You are answered,
and thus do 1 obey commands. Good
might, and pleasant dreams /" And
with low, mocking laugh she passed
out, and the next moment, with a calm
unruf1ed brow, she was replying to
Mr.. Payson's greeting.
Pre-eminent among the many forms
of beauty and grace which made Mrs.
Walton crowded rooms SO attractive,
was the queenly figure of Marguerite
IClayton as she passed slowly along,
leaning on the arm of Mr.. Payson, and
none could have guessed, from her gen
tie and winning manner, that beneath
that beautiful exterior there sluTh bered
a naughty and unlovely spirit. But
once let the proud will be thwarted, and
the quick sharp flashing of her eyes told
that all her powers were reused for re-
sistance, and it would be strange if she
did not come off victorious in the contest.
At length, fatigucd and heated, she
seated herself beside an open window,
and for few moments gave herself up
to dreamy enjoyment of the brilliant
living panorama which was passing be-
fore her. But her repose was not OF
long duration, for her own name, spo-
ken, in a low voice by some one on the
balcony close beside the window arres-
ted her attention, and when the answer
came, she recognized the voices of two
Of her friends, who were discussing her
appearance, and drawing differences
thercfrom, never dreaming that their
subdued tones could be overheard by Il
third person At first she was only
amused, and her heart throbbed with an
! - har
they spoke of the beautiful grace, OF
every motion, and of how naturally she
attracted aud received admiration, as ii
she were very queen, accepting the
homage of her loyal subjects.
But, said Minnie Gray, ''if 1 do
not greatly mistake, there is one heart
which she cannot subdue." .
'You mean Mr.. Payson," returned
Lucy Davis. at is quite evident that
he admircs her but if reports are
true. he has no heart to give, for he has
already bestowed it upon so many that
he cannot have any left. And l am
told that in the town where he used to
live, there is one poor girl who has lost
hel reason in consequence of his base
ness. l hope Margarette will not con
tinue intimate with him for am quite
sure that on two occasions | have seen
him when his brain was confused with
liquor.
why, Lucy, you astonish me y re-
piled Minnie. Il only mean that he
sings so splendidly and is so attractive
generally, that there will be too many
rivals in the field for Margarctte' $
chance to be worth much, even should
she desire to win him. l heard Mary
Ellis and Kate Steel say, jokingly, that
they were going to ''set their caps for
him, and you know they are both mag
nifcent looking girls; many think them
quite superior to Marguerite, even in
personal charms.
"Well, y said Lucy, laughing, Il shall
leave them to fight their own battles
But as you say, with such enemies in the
field, do not believe Margarctte will
win, but time will tell"
cay, time will tell!' muttered Mar
garette, between her closed teeth; but
her brow was as serene and cloudless as
ever, and her laugh rang out silvery
and clear, as some of her young com
Ipanions Joined her, and commenced the
recital of some amusing occurrence.
| /" al SdlCttC Olay 'ou, d4u HoG loHt
Frank Payson, and had never loved
him, but she greately admired his mu-
steal talents, and was fattered by the
marked attentions of the handsome
stranger: She was not ignorant of the
rumors that were floating about to his
discredit, and in her heart she some
times believed them; but she was too
wilful and self-reliant to act upon offer
ed advice, even though it came from her
best friend, and SO had continued against
her own better judgment, to permit his
constant visits and attentions.
But now, her pride was aroused, and
she determined to show the world that
she could win the contested prize, not
withstanding the brilliant charms that
were arrayed against her. And she
succeeded. Within one short month
from the time of Mrs. Walton's party,
there was midnight elopement and a
marriage, and the bride and groom were
Marguerite Clayton and Frank PaysoD.