The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-04-25
s Selett Mlisfsu;a,t:np: Al:
From Titan.lsssE. L.Ba 8
q A Lo ST An D w ON.
CHAPTER /.

Il was clear, frosty day in January, and two
girls were talking together In aAceuntry lane,
near the market town ofA---.' Tie leahess
hedges were white with hoar frost, the ground
was covered with the sparkling rime-the great
trees spread their lank, bare branches to the
sky, which looked down on the earth with a
dull. leaden aspect. Every thing appeared as if
dead in the iron grasp of winter-every thing
save the two girls. They were all lifeamid the
stillness-all buoyancyy gladness, youth 1t
was joyous spring with them. 3se4sa2-t
They were nearly ofaa hight, and appar-
emily Of equal age. One, trife the taller, was
a graceful WELL formed girl, with a slender
throat, which looked, fror, the contrast of the
dark fur she wore doubly white and delicate.
She had brown eyes, soft and almost languish-
ing when she was silent, but directly as she
spoke, they lighted up and sparkIed, and danced
ike the little riplets on a lake when the sun
shines. This girl had other beauties, too, be-
sides her eyes. She had dark, shining hair,
braided over the forehead, and blooming cheeks,
She had a little, rosy pouting mouth, and IN
that and the dimpled chin might be detected a
considerable proportion of girlish petulance,
willfulness and love of mischief.
The other girl was pale, dropping, almost
delicate-looking. Even the keen wintry air
had failed to call glow to her white cheeks.
There was no brilliant beauty here to charm
the beholder. Only there was depth of feel
ing in her soft eyes; a tremulous sensitiveness
about the whole face, that, though it would
never command admiration, might well win
love. As she walked beside her brilliant and
blooming companion, few would have turned
from the sparkling, animated beauty of the one
to admire the quiet sweetness of the other
And when they spoke, there was the same
characteristic dissimilarity in their voices
That of the one was clear, distinct, musical, as
the chime of silver bell; the Others was soft,
low and murmuring, with shade of melan-
choly in its tone, like the music of an Eolian
harp,s .rar b3.fad ~
aYou are silent, Flora,n said the pale girl,
looking up into her friends face, ..it is a rare
thing for you to be silent for SO long together"
about five minutes" returned the other,
raising her head with graceful, buoyant ges-
ture, which was peculiar to her, while bright
smile reused all the slumbering dimples in her
cheek, and the face, half pensive in its express
animated. ."Only Eve minutes, 1 am certain,
dear; but, to be sure, seldom give my little
tongue so long holiday" -. -.
- Z. 'And you seldom look 50 grave, almost sad,
as you looked just now, continued her COM
panion; "nothing is the matter, is there ~ 'sisa=
- Flora laughed merrily. ssSilly little friend, J"
cried she, stopping to kiss her affectionately.
"Know that there are very few mischances
which could, befall me which would have the
effect of making me look grave Besides, in
case anything did vex me Ishould tell you di-
rectly, that you might be sorrowfui for me-
It would be almost worth while having grief
to have your sympathy, EvelyI." -.---.,t
\ Z Evelyn looked up in her face gratefully. hi,
57s.'One of the penalties we lively people have
to pay" resumed Flora, fis that, if by any
chance we are, serious or thoughtful, or, in
short, behave like rational beings fora while,
we are instantly observed, our unusual bearing
commented on; and yesare supposed to be snfsz-
fer.ng under some deep grief.i All, fortunate
Evelyni no one thinks it strange when you
look thoughtful, sensible, iof--!a Z - ,s.
"Sad?" said the other, smiling family, as
Flora ceased speaking, and paused, half en-
barrassed. '3That is what you mean, and you
are right; it is not a strange thing for me to
look either thoughtful or sad. My nature is SO
different from yours: But tellme," she added,
as if glad to speak Iof other things, "tell me
what you were thinking of just now ?"
81 was thinking of my long promised visit
to London. ~ ,ss "a zfs1i.a94 basIslsz. ia
sAh, and Of some one you win see there r.