Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-05-12

much 1t is true, Dut tncn IL is suInclenC II pro-
perly invested, to support a child in private
family. Mr.. Harold longed to offer her hi;
heart, and home, but thought her too young
as yet-and determined within himself thai
when she had attained her sixteenth year, ant
he had gained run Of practice, he would tel
her how essential she was to his happiness ant
solicit her to become his wife.
Harry Clinton was an old friend, both Of DIR
Ostram and Edgar Harold, College chum Of
the latter, and very distant relation of the
Doctor. Harry had been travelling in Europe
for tho last five years, and had consequently
never been at DR.. Ostram's since Lilly had beer
making her home there. Both DR.. Ostram and
Edgar had corrcsponded with him while in Eu'
rope, but neither of them had mentioned the
addition to the Doctors family, probably neither
of them happened to be thinking of Lilly while
writing. So when Harry returned from Europe
in the April of 1887, he did not expect to meet
any other young lady at the Doctors than his
two daughters. The family were expecting
him, and Edgar went down to the Steamertome
and bring him home, as it had been settled be-
forehand that he should stay there while he re-
manned in New York.
Mrs. Ostram advised her daughters to look
sharp, and play their cards well, and perhaps
one of them might change their name for that
of Clinton. She was still in hopes that Edgar
might propose to one Of them. If she could
have looked into his heart for one moment, she
would have seen how utterly useless was all
her maneuvring, for Edgar Harold iaolized
Lilly Wilson. Jane was decidedly superior to
her sister, both in personal appearance and
mental qualifications; was very nice looking
girl, though not handsome. With proper train
ing she might have been very amiable woman,
and useful member of society, but her mother
had crushed every good and amiable quality by
her mismanagement; and by constantly telling
them that they would be certain to be old
maids, had made them so anxious to secure the
attention of gentlemen, that, when in company,
they always appeared restless and fidgety,
and consequently to the greatest disadvantage.
Gentlemen are not fond of ladies who appear
anxious for attention.
Well, it was in April, as said before, on q
Saturday. Harry Clinton was expected to din
ner. DR.. Ostram and Edgar had gone down in
John Street, to the Doctors office; the Steamer
was expected to arrive at twelve; Edgar was
to meet Harry at the pier; they would then
call at the Office for the Doctor, and they would
all come up to the house together. Mrs. Ostram,
her two daughters, and Lilly were seated in the
library. 1t was now eleven o'clock. Emily
and Jane were trying to decide what they should
wear as dinner costume that day-Mrs. Ostram
was lstlcssly turning over the leaves of book
of prints, and Lilly was sitting on low ottoman
winding cruel for piece Of worstcd work,
when suddenly the door opened and in walked
Edgar Harold, and Harry Clinton. a more
astonished group than arose at their entrance
can scarcely be imagined. Mrs. Ostram threw
down her book cxclaimins, "my gracious! how
astonished am. Why did you not ring the
bell 2" The girls pretended that it was a " de-
lightful SURPRISE" though i'll reality they were
any thing but pleased at being caught in their
morning dresses.
After the usual salutations had been passed,
Mr.. Clinton, in turning to take a chair offered
him by Edgar' caught sight of Lilly, who had
risen on their entrance, and now remained stand
ing in painful embarrassment. Edgar perceived
IIarry's glance and Immediately introduced her
as "Miss Wilson," The girls looked angry, and
Mrs. Ostram said, "Lilly, take your work, and
20 down in the basement, that is the most prop
er place." Lilly arose, covered with bushes,
and quietly left the room. Poor orphaned Lilly! !!
What wonder is it that you should have wished
at times, to lay your weary head and aching
heart, beside the loved and lost, in the quiet
graveyard But it was not so to be. You still
had much to suffer, and must live on.
Mr.. Clinton supposed from Mrs. Ostram's
treatment of the young girl he had been intro
duced to a. Miss Wilson, that she must be
servant, and was rather astonisled to see her
take her place at the dinner table, though she
had not been absent from lis mind since she
left the library. When ordered by Mrs. Ostram
to ego down to the basement" he thought
awell, if that girl occupies an inferior social
position here, it is great misfortune; for
more lovely lady have never seen." He
could not help looking at her; while at dinner
his eyes would wander over to her face in spite
of all he could do to prevent them. lie had
seen women Of almost all nations in his travels,
but never had he seen one to compare with
Lilly Wilson. Mrs. Ostram watched him close
ly and had perception enough to see that her
daughters had rival. Now her hate towards
the unoffending Lilly knew no bounds; to think
that, this child, without wealth or position,
should attract more attention than her daugh-
ters was more than she could submit to.
That night after the two young men had
retired to their room, Harry enquired of Edgar
who "Miss Wilson was" and on being told
that she was an orphan whom DR.. Ostram had
taken from charitable motives, remarked swell,
ain truly sorry for that poor girl it she eats
the bread OF charity in this house, for bitter n-
deed must she find it. Why, did you see the
look Mrs. Ostram gave her as she ordered her
down to the basement to-day, when you intro
duced me?"
aLook! Why that was mere nothing If
YOU could only hear Mrs. Ostram and the girls