The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-10-26
Srlett MiseclIan
HIGH OF THE Wof


clamation of Harry Stephens, as gayly dress
ed young lady passed by his Office window one
balmy May morning. Very gracefully was the
mantila folded about her pretty person, and
very gracefully and daintily her light feet
pressed the graveled sidewalk; yet there was
an air of haughtlness in the carriage of her
hsad and in the flash of her cold blue eyes,
which was not quite so pleasant to the search
ing glance of the young lawyer.
He had spoken truly. Helen Flower was
an elegant girl, in face, form and mind but as
often happens, that meagre word etegant de-
scribed her thoroughly. Underneath her calm
elegance there was nothing deeper: nnthingto to be
unfolded, aower-like by the sunshine of frienl-
ship or love Her education was elegant, not
varied nor profound. She could speak the
French language excellently, she could dance
enchantingly, and play gracefully all the fash
ionable music of the day. In manners she
was faultless in conversation the quickness of
her wit generally concealed the shallowness of
her brain. Her brain shallow, and her
heart too; yet she was an elegant girl, AMI the
only daughter of the richest man in the -four
ishing village of Weston.
She had scarcely turned the corner when an
other young form appeared, and another light
footstep sounded beneath Harry's window
But this figure, thougl. dressed with neatness
and grace, was not so airly robed as the heiress
with such an air of conscious beauty. But
just as she passed the window she looked up,
and eyes of such deep, rare loveliness met Har-
rvs earnest gaze that his book fell from his
grasp unheeded, and he watched her retreating
until she was out of sight. "Helen Fowler is
certainly an elegant girl" he said as he paced
up aid down his Office floor, 'tBut Agnes Bry
IN is something more. Helen is rich and
graceful; Agnes is poor in worldly wealth,
Ci., ,.,alo IN xrotr Iah nf fhr
heart and intellect. Helen would shine in the
loftest station to which l could ever attain
Agnes would be household angel to the
rich man or the poor man. At which shrine
shall bow-that of wealth or worth?' And
leaving him to decide this moInen Gus ques-
ton, we vii inform the reader that Ra r.
Stephens had lately located himself in Weston;
and being now established in business, and able
to have a home of his own, he was looking
about him in search of wife. Two only Of
the village girls had yet found favored place
in his thoughts-though if the truth were told,
great many were ready to smile upon him
These two, Helen Fowler and Agnes Bryan,
he had met several times at the social gather
ings of the village, and he admired both. He
had called once at the house of each, when he
was charmed by the animation and wit of the
one, and by the unaffected sweetness of the
other. Both received him graeiously, for in
Lne eyes OF DOIn he IOunu IdVOT- 1uOuSn one
acknowledged this to herself boldly. the other
felt the admiration which she would not con-
fess. Helen liked him because he belonged
to aristocratic family, and possessed pleas
ing and polished manner; Agnes, in listening
to his eloquent and varied conversation, had
discovered that there was chord in his soul
and in hers which vibrated to one and thesa
harmony. After both graceful forms had dis
appeared, Harry had suddenly remembered
that he was invited to social party that even
ing where he would meet the two who had
lately occupied so large space in his thoughts;
for Helen Fowler, being the belle of the viii
lage, was always invited, and he knew that Mrs.
Temple, who gave the party, was warm friend
to Agnes. Il will choose to night" said, lie,
sswhether I shall offer my suit at the feet of
the beautiful heiress, or at the heart of the
lowly but lovely music teacher" At night,
if Harry Stephens had been gifted with pair
of magic spectacles, making brick walls and
closed blinds Transparent, he might have seen
Helen Fowler in her dressing room, standing
irresolute amid profussion of silks laces and
jewelry. From one rich robe she turned to an
other, saying softly to herself:
81 wish knew which are his favorite col
ors. Thought he looked admiringly at this
purple satin the other evening, but the pale
blue is more becoming. / must look as beau
tiful as can to night, for when we were at
Mrs. Gray's he actually talked an hour with
that nobody, Agnes Bryan" And with the
same magic glasses Harry might have seen Ag-
nes Bryan giving the music lesson of the day
to stupid pupil, who either could not or would
not understand the spirit of simple waltz
which she was practising, but persisted in
drumming it forth as if it were march for the
battle field. At last the tired pupil was dis
missed, and Agnes, weary but light hearted.
went to prepare for the party. ''When you are
ready. come and read to me lttle," said her
invalid mother 81 will, !" replied Agnes cheer
fully. syou know it never takes me long to
dress" In a few minutes she came down
dressed in delicate flesh colored muslin, her
dark hair falling in simple ringlets, requiring
neither wreath nor gem to enchant her lowell
ness. s'I hoIs that he will be there" vas the