New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1860-07-06
Our Story.
MY NEWPORT ACQUAINTANCE
BY ALICE.

J Y
and next at Newport, and were insepa-
rable for the full space of three weeks.
thought her the most charming girl
I had ever seen. And thon, belonging
as she did to family viii ch moved in
a circle quite above mine, and in my
own city also; what a chance had sud-
denly opened for getting into good So
ciety! I felt as if I had acquired a
new social importance, and, in .consc-
quence, thought it only due to myself
to repel with cold nod the too famil-
lar advances of an old school ,acquain-
tance, who arrived somewhat late in
the season. 80 Di rE. gdt eaa1r. -.
"Isn't she charming, Map said /, as
my friend, Flora Hardwicke passed
with her stately air along the portico,
just outside Of the parlor window, at
which VIC were sitting. ct .r
sShe'sa proud looking girl, and not
over lady like in some things replied
my mother, coldly.
"Why, Ma! how can you say that? /
think her perfect lady, and as to
!! nride, she hasn'ta spark in her nature.
"Youo.ll think differently, perhaps, be-
fore you're yeccr older, and if you'll
take my advice, you'll hold your ac~
quaintance with her Ikea loose gar
ment, ready to be cast off 1t any mo-
ment, and with the smallest effort.
Twas really offended with Ma. All
this was SO unjust to my darling Flora,
whose arm was twined in mine ten min
utes afterwards, as we went tripping
mp stairs to my room,
Flora's mother had her carriage at
Newport, and I was frequently anvited
to accompany then in their drives. 1
can't say that / fancied her mother;
she was aold, distant woman, with an
air that made you feel uncomfortable.
There was no question in my mind as
to her overweening pride.
But time flies, and the pleasan test
episodes in life close most quickly. The
Newport season ended with its grand
ball, and I, with other birds ofpassage,
took my way to the Southwark.
I did not return home quite the same
young lady twas when l left: l had
grown considerably in my own estima-
|tion; for had not the elegant Miss Hard
vicke seen in me, qualities that drew
her to my side. And was not now
to take, through her, a step upwards
into grade of society from which the
position ofmy parents had debarred me
hitherto; 1 was not, 1-must confess,
over gracious to some of my old friends
and T could sec that MY reserved man
ner repelled them. But 1 was not Sc
riously concerned for this The intima-
cy would have to cease finally, and the
sooner the work Of alienation began
the better. There was one young girl,
Mary Cline, with whom I had been es-
pecially intimate. She came early to
see me after my return home, and met
me with her old impulsive warmth,
throwing her arms around my neck,
and kissing me tenderly: But / did
not return this greeting as in former
times. What a strange enquiring
look the poor girl gave me! ltseemed
impossible for her to realize the fact
that I was changed towards her. She
sat with an air Of embarrassment for
only a short time. and then bade me a
good morning. Idid not urge her to
repeat her visit, for now that had
placed her in contrast "a with Flora
Hardwicke, I saw hermore as she real
" was, simple warm-hea rted girl,
with no conventional 4 polishI good
enough in her way, but ola class above
which I was now destined to rise. |
felt little sorry for her, but said |
to myself, by way ofjusti6cation, 'Ne-
cessity knows no law" Mary did not
1
call upon me second time, Is and the
friendship then violated on my part,
has never been renewed28IoH III