The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-06

looking up for q moment, replied-"Certaih-
ly not, SIR"
He bent over the paper again, but any one
near might have seen it tremble in his
hand.
Alice grew very rosy, and drew up her
slender figure to its full height.
"Pny, papa, don't ask Mr.. Waring to ad-
miIc me YOU disturb him FROM his letter {;
and, besides-l-I'm sure It dosen't-l
don't"-
"My opinion can be ofno value, know"
said her cousin, with another glance from
his occupation.
"Neyer mind him, Puss," added Mr..
BraybroOkc, as he thought he saw Alice's
lip culver; "thcse old bachelors always are
cross and ill.tempered."
"The carriage is Mt the door," cried the
footman, entering very opportunely.
Mr.. Bnybrooke left the room, and Allce's
maid came in with warm cloak of white
and chcrry-colOred silk.
"GOOd-night," said the little lady. Then
this was charmingly put on, and black
veil thrown over her head.
Mr.. Waring looked up. She stood beside
him, holding out a tiny white gloved hand.
He took it, saying-''Good night: hope
your first BALI will be n merry one, Alice"
The hand fingered in his.
"If you were only coming, Cousin Jona-
than
lie interrupted her quickly, almost harsh
ly.
"But I'm not 50 good night"
She went away silently, but turning at
the door to say "GoOd night" once more, he
iancicd he saw tears glistcning through the
shadowy black veil over her face.
He started to his feet but thought SEEM
ed TO strike him and he sat down to his pa
pers again, mutterinS-"She'll make me
make fool of myself, whether will or no,
with that voice and those pleading eyes.
Pshaw! man at my aSe-ridiculous w
And his pen went faster than ever.
Hour after hour passed on, and still he
was busily at work. One-two-three
O'Clock struck. There was q hustle IN the
hall below. He heard Alice's clear ringing
lauGh-that laugh that was like no other,
Mr.. BraybroOkes hearty voice, and another
"A voice he did not know.
They came up stairs-Alicc, her father,
and tall, elegant looking young man in
uniform.
"Nlr. Waring, Captain Ray? said Mr..
BraybrOOke: and then the three began to
talk over the ball, and apparently forgot
the very existence of the writer at the soi'I-
table.
Jonathan Warnings heart grew full of Bit
terness. Alice glanced once towards him,
saw him pale and with compressed lips.
Her eye grew brighter, her laugh more
Joyous. Captain Ray thought her each mo-
mcnt more and more lovely.
Refreshments We're brought in, and soon
after tho captain took leaye-not, however,
before he had promised to call on the NOR
row, and bring Alice book he felt sure she
would like.
IL am sorry you sat up for u.s." said Al
ice, as Mr.. Waring was leaving the room,
letters in hand "you look quite tired out. F"
"Thank you, but do not feel so."
at must have been lonely evening for
YOU"
"Not at all l was too busy to find it so,
Good night"
Good night, cousin. How do you like
Captain Ray"
81 think him very elegant man,"
80 do 1; very fascinating, too"
IL can well fancy it,"
"Good night"
She ran up the stairs halfway, then turn
cd and ran down to him again.
"Cousin Jonathan, will you tell me if you
think looked nice tonight? Really,
mean
"To me you looked just as usual"
"Well, many people told me p
Looked lovely, no doubt and rs plenty
of Others told you so, there is all the les'
need for me to do it, Now, good night.
Go up stairs; you will be quite tired out to-
morrow, if you do not"
Alice. when in her own room, wept bitter
". "lIc sees you care for him, and shuns
you. lie wants to guard you from yourself" "
whispered pride.
Some weeks had passed since Alico's first
ball. Ii was the height of the season, and
of all the beauties chat fluttercd nightly from
one scene of gaioty to another, none was
more admired, more ceurted than the lovely
Alice Braybrookc. People said she was n
"bit of a lirt"-and perhaps people were
not very wrong; certainly it seemed 50,
"Iegion " was the name of her lovers,
and she apparently enjoyed their admiration
to no small degrcee.
Sometimes ..that quiet Mr.. Waring" was
seen with hersclfand her father, but not often.
No one took much notice of him, and he did
not keep with Miss Braybrooke much, unless
she happened to tire herself with dancing too
long or resting where there was chill
draught; then Cousin Sonathan was sure to
be near with kind word of warning, or her
scarf ready to put on.
One morning us she lay buried in the
cushions OF luxurious sofa, trying TO read
n newly-published novel, Mr.. Waring came
into the room, and struck with the wcaried,
listlcSs expression OF her face, stopped, and
asked her il she had a headache.
"No, not much, thank you. What time
is it?"
"Nearly two. May sit with youa little,
Alice? have great deal to say to you"
The weary look was gone in a moment; it
was very unusual thing for him TO ask to
stay with her, and it only make her color
come.
."who sent you this, Alice! Which of
the adoring swains ~
"Mr. Craven sent il to me-"
"Did you ever hear an old song, 'Heigh-
ho, no I'm afraid too many"'-
"Hush :" cried Alice rather pcttishly. "lf
YOU talk in that way shall send you away"
He took her hand and held il in both his
own. "My dear little cousin, will you take
word of advice from one who really has
your good'at heart"
She neither spoke nor withdrew her hand
"You have no mother TO watch over you,
dear Alice, aud are placed in what | know
must be n very trying position. am sure
you always wish to do right but it is very