Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1860-10-06

Vous- III was those words and the look d
gentle sorrow that filed the mothers eve,
! with tears, that first aroused Lita's fear
in regard to Charlie, and ever since thai
time she had watched him closely she haC
learned to know that his feet had taken
hold on slippery places, and In her solici
tude she had long been devising some way
IN which she might benefit him without her
agency being suspected. She did not care
! to betray her interest 10 him, rs he had
avoided her studiously for more than year
and besides, she feared to wound him by
forcing upon bin the thought that she im
agined him incapable Of selfcontrol. But
now she had devised way in which either
of these contingencies could be avoided
And having obtained her brothers con.
sent. should she yield it up simply to graft.
~ her love for dress and admiration p No.
no, she would not-she could not. More
than that she dared not do It. LAYING her
hand in its tiny kid glove, upon her broth.
er's shoulder, she said
Brother Fred, shall "a as I am tbonqb
/ would gladly consult your taste and nv
own by exchanging this sombre dress for
the rose-colored Grape but It would not be
right should despse myself. / ON sor-
~ yon are going to be mortified at nv an.
pearanee. | did not think before came
below, that | looked so old and prim /; but
of course do as you say so.'
Never mind sis Pm prond Of you let You
look as you will. l should not have loved
you half so well had you weakly yielded to
my request. And now run and get your
hat and cloak, for the carriage waits at the
door,"
Had my readers looked closely into the
eye of Frederic Ross, they would have seen
something closely resembling tear glitter
ing upon his dark lashes, which he hurried.
ly wiped away upon his delicately-
handkerchief as Lita turned from him.
And Lita thought be had never looked so
lovingly upon her as be did when he hand.
ed her so tenderly into The carriage and
she was quite sure his bearing was more
than usually proud as heled her to the far.
ther end Of the crowded reception-room, to
present her to Mrs. Thurston, the lady ol
the house.
''Lita Ross, as live I" cried an imper-
ious beauty, as she tossed her stately head.
II wonder what new freak has taken posses.
sion of her I"
80, she likes to render herself conspicu.
ous," replied another lady. caressingly toy
ing with one of her long golden curls "See
how ell eyes follow her. should not care
to be in her place. Shell like Quak-
eress matron Of thirty or thirty-fve. You'll
stand quite chance Of reigning belle to.
night, now that she has hidden her beauty
under cloud Of drab."
Miss Milford, the young lady addressed,
colored little at the doubtful compliment,
and gathering up her pale blue satin dress,
sailed statelly away.
Miss Ross" said Mrs. Thurston, bend.
ing her gentle face near to Lita's, "will you
give me key to the mystery that so sorely
puzzles my guests, viz, the plainneSs of your
dress tonight 7"
H II cannot at present. Mrs. Thurston, re-
piled Lita ; "but at some future time may
| hope you do not think / have done any
thing improper ? have motive which
you would approve Of, if 1 we're at liberty
to name it )" and Lita stood blushing
through her smiles at the nquiring face of
the lady.
20, no, Miss Ross, nothing improper +;
but it seems so different from your own
girlish self, that it causes speculation in the
minds of many. But do not let it trouble
you. / think it very becoming to you, this
drab dress with its white blonde trimmings !;
in short, never saw you looking so lovely
as tonight, though not quite so brilliant as
is your won't
10, Mrs. Thurston, you do not really
mean it ! am sure ana looking very plain.
Brother Fred said before we left home,
looked twenty-five. and SO prim and l
have felt as though it were true, all the
evening. 1t must be your partiality for me,
nv dear Mrs. Thurston, indeed it must
"Not at all, Lita. am quite sincere in
my opinion and have heard Others say
the same
"Lta Ross, is Lita Ross, dress her as
you may said light.hearted girl, as she
stood talking with her companion. Just
see her, Harry as she stands there with the
light falling around her soft dress but she
looks prettier tonight than ever continued
the unselfsh girl. do look, Harryp
eyes, Lizzie, there are but few faces, like
Lita Ross's, pretier without adornments than
with. | know of but one other in this
4
whole assembly : and the little haud of
Lizzie was pressed tenderly by the young
man, while soft blush stole over the fair
brow of weet.tempered Lizzie Gray, as
they mingled with the crowd.
The supper-saoon was thrown open, and
the tables, laid with silver, and cut glass,
supporting all the choice lSxuries Of the sea-
son, presented dazzling spectacle, under
the multitude of gas jets from the rich burn
ers, while the long, polished side'boards
were supplied with the choicest of wines, re-
hecting many prismatic color.
Miss Ross, what can help you to 2 que
ried the gentleman who had escorted Lita
to the table.
But for moment Litawas quite oblivions.
She was thinking of her brothers promise,
and wondering what effect it would have up
on Charlie Chester.
The ladies had withdrawn from the sup
per room, bat still many Of the gentlemen
fingered, or returned after having escorted
their fair companions from the saloon.
Fred-Fred Ross here, take tins
seat by me, and while We sip our wine, we
will have chat"
"Well, Frank, / have 10 objection to the
chat, but the wine ] must refuse"