The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1858-11-18


taken it, they would undoubtedly have been
partial A brother of Miss Hanson's, whose
name Was George, was frequently visitor at
my residence, sometimes in company with his
sister, sometimes without and although his
cold, naughty, supercous, and overbearing
manner was far from agreeable, yet his rank, his
tributed to give him an ascendafcv in all par
tics, which few felt inclined to dispute
He had returned from Europe d short time
previous to my arrival in Charleston, and the
imposing superiority, which sea voyage across
the Atlantic enables man to assume as a Judge
of manners and men, / concluded might not
wholly have been laid aside. As it concerned
myself personally, cared but little about him !;
but there was one subject which gave me more
uneasiness than any other, and that was the
marked attention he paid to Mary. Though
closely observed her, could see nothing in her
conduct to justify any apprehensions = yet /
confess felt it would be morally impossible for
her to reject the superior advantages which a
union with this man presented above any could
Offer
That is the most charming creature ever
saw" said George to me, one evening as we
were together sitting on a sofa, while Mary and
his sister were playfully discussing some qaes-
ton of fashion or taste, in another part of the
room; " / have visited Paris and London but
among all their fashionable circles and their
beauties, never saw a Mary Mornton. Who
could have thought that the rosebud that / so
heedlessly overlooked three years ago. when
left Charleston for Europe, would so soon have
expanded into so beautiful flower ("
Perhaps no one" replied, with an air of
indifference which i'll accorded with my feelings.
4
| was inwardly pleased to hear it awarded al
though / felt fearful of the result, should his
preference be openly avowed "Mary is indeed
fine girl but / must be permitted to say the
same of the greater part of the Charleston fair
with whom have had the happiness to become
acquainted /"
"Ah, Mortimer" said George, tapping me
on my shoulder that maidenly blush Of yours
gives the lie to the pretended GOODNESS of your
words; but you had better be upon your guard,
and not suffer her to run away with your heart
for it is well understood that Mary is to be
mine"
II started to my feet as he pronounced the
last words and was in the act of demanding an
explanation, when / fortunately reflected that
by so doing, must disclose what I most wished
to conceal and that had no right whatever to
make the demand so | carelessly answered
him, that / did not consider my heart in so
much danger as he supposed, I" and that 9 Mary,
if he obtained her, would doubtless make an
agreeable companion
At this moment, Mary came laughing up to
us, and taking my hand Mortimer" said she,
our Miss Hanson insists on our passing the
afternoon with her tomorrow, and have prom
ised you shall comply with her request May /
say you will do so ="
Gnpfo nj, I
debted to you to make objections to what you
propose"
''Then propose, said Mary, that you in
vite our friend George to forget Europe and
become an American lie talks and acts as
stately as if he thought of nothing less than
Catholic Cathedrals London Monuments, or
Egyptian Pyramids. Now George" continued
she, peeping archly in his face, tell ME seri-
ously and soberly = did the bellies of London or
Paris eclipse the stars of our Western Hemis-
phere 2"
: Upon my honor, Mary" he replied, the
question has been fairly put, and shall be as
plainly and promptly answered it is no no !"
!" Such | knew would be your answer" re-
piled the lovely girl, !" give you full credit for
the sincerity Of your reply"
My answer was given in sober earnest" said
George, and ] again repeat, that the most
fashionable circles of London or Paris cannot
produce a parallel in loneliness and beauty, to
Mary ~"
Stop" said she, interrupting him, not an
other word of your European galantry. Re-
member, Mary Mornton is plain American
girl, tlnaccustomed to compliments, and upon
whom all such fine sayings are entirely thrown
away
"You seem to speak Mary" he answered
as if / had forgotten my country; protest
against such supposition.D
Tomorrow we win see " replied she smil
ing, whether am correct
The carriage at this moment drove up to the
door, and as | handed Miss Hanson into it, she
pressed my hand and whispered, you will not
forget your promise remember, my happiness
depends on you
Be assured | will not" hastily replied, as
she drew her veil over her beautiful features -
and the carriage drove off,
Mary" said I, after they departed, you
were too numerically severe with our friend
George it is well you are not a man, or you
would be called out to answer for your plain
ness"