Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1860-10-11
THE HEIRS CHOICE.
BY MRS. C. C. MORTON.

udFe you nearU tnaC Harry conner IL
expected home this week ?" said Patty AL
len, at the sewirg circle of our village, look
ing up from her work while she spoke, as i
announcing something of Importance.
:" No indeed You don't say? La now =
were the various CALCULATIONS that responded
to her remark. "Do tell, is he as rich and
handsome as they say z"
'' / had the news from his aunt" said Pat
ty. He is to be home on Saturday. Father
says be will be the richest man in the couns
ty, for he has got all his uncle's estate. and
Doctor Parker was the first physician here
for thirty years"
Then the old mansion will be opened
once more" said Ellen Eden, looking up with
enthusiasm in her fine eyes; " it is. go dull
and gloomy now, in spite of its magnificent
belt Of trees. and everything about it seems
so neglected, that shall be glad when its
master returns to clear the dead twigs from
the walks and tie up the roses on tbe trel-
liee-work again, as remember them when a
child"
4" Psbaw" said Isabel Warner. elf it
was mine I'd cut down all the trees and tear
away the old :rellice-work porch and in its
place there should be colonnade with Coz
rinthian pillars Aud I'd have larger win>
dows put in. and the parlors thrown into
one and there should be new marble man
ties; and then I'd give great ball--oh !
such ball as we've never seen here-and
then, girls, you should all be invited"
"rm afraid" said Ellen, smiling, F." that
the old place would scarcely know itself"
THAT it wouldn't; but what of that?-
Old DR.. Parker wasa bluelaw Presbyterian,
almost as bad as you. Ellen but warrant
the young heir is not so old fashioned. Nay,
l beg pardon she said, as she saw Ellen S
flushed cheek, t" didn't intend to hurt your
feelings"
There is no need for an apology" said
Ellen mildly, bat dear Isabel only wish
you were blue-law Presbyterian, as you
call it--or blue law Episcopalian, or any
thing else"
Well-well-time enough yet," said Is
abel, half gaily, half pettishly, g bat Patty
you have cot told US yet if Mr.. Connor is
handsome" she remarked. turning to the
FIRST speaker.
=" His aunt says he is, bus he was always
her pet He'll be at church, however, on Sum-
day."
"Then we shall see for ourselves. And
now, girls, the best is she who gets the first
introduction. :"
agreed" said all, and the conversation
ceased.
Isabel Warner was a spoiled beauty, but
with naturally good heart, as was eviden-
eed in her conversation with Ellen. which
we have narrated Between her and Miss
Eden there could not be greater contrast
than already existed; for Ellen was girl Of
rigid notions of duty, an exemplary though
unobtrusige Christian, and one of the mild
est and sweetest Of characters. While every
one admired the gay, high spirited and brill
liant Isabel, all loved the modest and retir-
ing Elem the one was the dahlia which
faunts before all eyes, the other was the re
tiring violet.
In her secret heart Isabel, already. the
most popular belle of the village, had resolv
ed to make a conquest of the young heir
She loved ostentation quite as much as she
loved fattery and she longed to be mistres:
of the old mansion. She knew. however, tina
she had many rivals, tor there was scarcely
young lady in the village. having either
by birth, accomplishments or beauty any
pretensions to the alliance, who did not in
dulge hope that she might be the favored
one. And each resolved to appear to hel
best advantage on the following Sunday.
Accordingly the church, on that day, pre-
sented quite an array of new bonnets ant
flowers. Our young ladies had really out
done themselves. Never had Tiyerton shon
in such an array of millinery. But Isabe
was still the most beautiful girl there; an(
concious that this would be so she delayed
her entrance until the services were about tt
begin.
The Young heir sat in the old family pew
nearly opposite that Of the Warmers, ani
more than once during the sermon his ey,
wandered to the beautiful being opposite
IsabePs heart beat high with gratified pride
and her triumph was complete when, at th
close of the services, the young heir adyanc
ed to shake hands with her father whom h
recognized, and SO designedly threw bimsel
in the way of an introduction to Isabel, o
which he availed himself Immediately b.
walking home with her.
In short time the young heir became ac
ouain ted with the other ladies of the village
but he still showed decided preference fo
Isabel. Probably he paid less attention t
Ellen than to any of them: and certainl,
she was the only marriageable young lady il
the village, who did not seek every decorou
opportunity to throw herself in bis way
But Ellen neither courted his society no
! hattered his tastes. She treated him frank
ly and conyersed with ease and animatio
when they met but she rather shrark fror
than sought opportunities of meeting him.
Yet Ellen felt that Harry Connor was on
that she could love; for constant aattery ha