Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1860-10-11
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Ellen, or g gradually increasing appreciation
of her qualities, that induced the young heir
to seek her society more frequently than at
first, we knew not but so he did, and event
ually to such degree that Isabel grew jeal-
Gus.
One day pio-nic party was projected, to
be held on picturesque island not far from
our village. The party was to be given by
the gentlemen, and great pains were taken to
conceal from the ladies the nature of the
preparations. All, therefore, that was known
was that every thing was to be arranged in
the most elegant manner. Harry Conner
himself had superintendent the arrangements,
and his taste was proverbial. Every one
promised themselves day of enjoyment :
even Ellen entered into the feeling of curios-
ity; and on the eventful morning many
arose an hour before their usual time, i'm
patient, as in early years, for the hour of set
ting forth.
The party was to meet at the house of
Miss Warner preparatory to embarking. All
had now assembled they were waiting only
for Miss Eden. At last she came, but not
attired for the excursion. She had just heard
that a poor old woman, whom she was in the
habit of assisting low and then with aims,
was dying and requested to see her.
I" Are you moi golng?v said dozen voic-
es. WHAT is the matter ?"
Ellen blushed, but said she could not go.
Something quite unexpected had occurred to
prevent her. &c have run down, therefore,
to make an excuse" She would not tell the
reason, for she knew there were those pres
ent who wonld attribute ii to ostentatious be-
neveleuce.
"Pshaw, how ridiculous !" said Isabel
Warner. who was vexed, aside to Harry Con-
ner, =" she is only afraid to go: how hate
such strict, Puritanieal notions. AS if lit
tie harmless amusement was wrong"
"If aIiss Eden viii not 60 because she
thinks it wrong, she is eerteinly very mar
row-rni1ded and what makes it worse is the
hypocrisy which conceals the true reason
SILL cannot believe she is bigoted."
"There no other reason, you may depend
on it. And we shall be quite as well withs
cut her | hate such long sanctimonious fa-
ceswhen others are disposed to be merry"
Ellen happened to be nearer than Isabel
thought, and heard these words her eyes
ElloS Al sat, eLo ,r;E
concealed by turning away. She longed,
yet dreaded to hear Harry Connor's answer.
"You are too harsh," was his reply. 'sBut
surely, she ought to be able to give a reason
for remaining. if she is really not afraid to
CO."
At these words, klleu was OF the point of
revealing all, but she reflected that her mo-
tiyes would be misrepresented and besides
her modesty sbrunk from speaking of her
own good deeds. She felt, therefore, that
she must allow herself to be misunderstood
by Harry Conner; but it was with a pang
that she came to this conclusion and the
consciousness Of TINS, led her now, for the
first time, to suspect the true state of her
heart.
Harry Connor was more disappointed, at
Eilen's absence, than be had believed he
could be. He felt q little piqued at her refu'
sal, for he had Invited her in person and, to
tell the truth, some of the arrangements had
heen prepared solely to please her. Indeed
Harry, without falling in love, had been
growing more and more interested in Ellen
ever since his return. The very indifference
which she exhibited, so much in contrast with
the marked attention which all the others
paid him, had the effect to pique him; and
pique often leads to waIme1 sentiments. :
Considerably mortified at her REFUSAL be re-
solved to revenge himself by flirting with Is
abel Warner.
The woodland meal had been partaken Of
and Harry, tired Of the noise of the party
and still out of humor with himself and Ell
len, strolled off from the party, and entering
skif began idly to float down the stream
toward our village. Unconsciously he wen
further than he intended but before taking
the oars to row back he resolved to land anC
pluck some flowers which he saw growing
luxuriantly on the bank While thus enga
ged he noticed low log.hut hard by. from
which arose voice that he thought not un-
familiar. Curiosity prompted him to ap-
proach it. The door was open, and peepine
| in, be saw an aged woman, apparently il
the last stage Of disease, while Ellen Eder
was propping the dying person with pillows
''God bless you for this" said the suferel
feebly, 81 know what you gave up to conn
hither. I sent for Miss Isabel Warner, whom
nursed when child but she said she coPt
not come: and then knew there was no on,
would sacrifice their days pleasure for nj
except you, Miss Ellen. But heaven will re
ward you for it,"
'sSay nothing of it, but compose yourself,
replied the sweet girl. Il only did my du
ty."
"Ah duty, duty-but that is it. VIII
does their duty? Few, Miss Eden, few in
Decd"
The young heir listened to no more, for b
did not wish to be seen. He had hear
enough. He noiselessiy glided away, AM
entering his skiff began to row up the lake