Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-08-09

.By the way. Boil what has become
Of that psc.ty iittIs Nay R0<ling, with
whom yoo used n be intrinsic I"
sWhy CIaresee, | dropfe I'd her long
ago. =. y -
"Indeed what objectionable offense
! did she commit
"Never any that am aware Of; but
you know one cannot visit everybody,
and all Of my friends are distinguished.
They have some decided talent. There
is Louise Bradford, who is . thorough
musician abe plays equal to any pro-
fessor. Julia Leeman Is an artist; she
paints splendidly. Harriet holland is
a brilliant conversational. Susan Ever
cit is an authoress she writes the
sweetest stories and prettiest stories
ever read.'
"And what of Leonora Hicks-what
is her talentv'
81 do not know that she has any that
is very conspicuous; but she is an ad-
mirable girl-you know she is worth
eight thousand dollars.
"Oh," said her brother,in tone which
slightly discounted his sister. "And
Mary Wilson's"
II should not think one need ask con.
corning her. She is a splendid creature;
the most beautiful girl that ever saw.
l always want her at my sociables for
the sake Of embellishing them. Did
you ever know handsomer girl, Clar-
ence!"
81 have seen girls whom admire
more, would as willingly marry stone
image as Mary Wilson. She looks like
piece of finely chiseled marble and pos
sesses about as much life and animation
as a polished block. Little May Bur-
ling is much more to my TASTE"
"Why, Clarence, no one ever con-
si1ercd May Burling pretty. She was
nice little thing; but what of that ?
So are hundred others; but one can
not visit them all. May has neither
beauty, wealth, nor accomplishments.
She cannot draw, she cannot write, she
cannot; in fact she is a perfect No
body.
Just then q servant entered with a
card from a visitor, and interrupted the
tcte a-tete between the brother and
sister.
Clarence Milford had been absent
from his home for the space Of four
years, and returned to find the changes
that are usually wrought in SO long a
period Of time;s his friends were scattered
-"some to the bridal, some to the
TOMB" HE sister, whom he had left a
young, light-hearted school girl, had
'gone into society" and boosted that
The circle contained none but the gifted.
She was a girl of good natural endow.
ments, had been we'll educated, and was
still pursuing various studies with so
much order, and such total neglect Of
all feminine employment,that her broth
er thought her fast congealing into an
intellectual iceberg.
About q month after tCe above con-
versation, Miss Isabella Milford was
taken seriously i'll; neglected cold led
to fever and for eleven long weeks the
young lady could not leave her pillow.
At first friends we're assiduous in ex-
pressing their regret, and in making in
quiries after her health, etc., ETC., but
none came to lay aside their bonnets,
and to set beside the suffering girl, to
smooth her pillow, or to cadence the
tones of their gay voices to suit the
weak, aching head. And the physi-
oians soon forbade the admission of
morning callers.
Poor Bell! How she longed for a
mother or sister, or some friend who
was not fashionable; or was not taken
up with her music, her painting, or her
writing, that she could not find time to
paw little attention to the sick Aud
there stole strange yearning into her
heart for her cast-of1 friend May Bur-
ling.
One day a note was handed into her
room written in pretty delicate hand.
Bell was too i'll to open it, SO her broth
er broke the seal and read it.
"nEAR BELL-I heard, the other day,
that you we're very sick too i'll to leave
your room. l cannot tell you how sorry
it made me feel it set me tn hiking of
the time, Bell, when we were so dear to
one another; when we we're like sisters;
and long to come right to you and for
get there has been any arrangement.
l know not how you may be situated,
but l think it must be hard to be rea!
sick and have no mother to nurse you.
If you need me, Bell, or even if you do
not, but are alone, please let me come
in just as you used to do.
"Your old schoolmate,
"MAY BURL1NG."
In reply to this, Clarence wrote with
Bells consent -
miss BURLING-My sister being too
i'll to address you, desires me to say that
she would be much pleased to see you.
She is entirely alone with the servants
and myself.
"With much gratitude for your kind
thoughtfulness,
81 am yours respectfully,
"CLARENcE MILFORD"
A few hours brought May to Isabel's
bedside, where her capabilities Of uursing
we're fully tried, and we'll they stood the
test. So cheerful, quick and quiet, her
presence was the sunshine, as bright yet