The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-15

she did 50, that u week of such weathe
would be the ruin Of her-it would really b
q privilege to change her morning wrapper
and take her hair from its quaker.like folds
Not having any good looks to care for,
can sit at the window andenjoy the prospect.
said Margcry. glancing up demurely at m
graceful sister, who truth TO tell, was mo-
lacking in her quota Of womanly vanity.
Il do not pretend TO be handsome-lik'
you, Madgc, rctorted Alice, glancing ove
her shoulder at the speaker. L am onl
rather pretty. neither more nor less, an'
perfectly willing to own it-while you ar
too proud to be vain of your magnifcence
but YOU need not lay claim to humility, W
all know you hayn't any
Have you finished, my dear!' asked he
cousin, provokingly. You look uncom
monty well with that flush on your cheek
What pity that only Ellinor and are her,
to admire you. When your toilet is made
will try what art can do for myself be
lieye.'
As Alice good humorcdly resigned hc
post, and leaning from the window surveyed
the change which few hours hnd made
her quick eye discerned through the swayins
trees more attractive feature than Mar
gery's dreaming gaze had beheld, and turn.
ing with sudden animation she exclaimed
Girls, what will you give me IL l tell you
that see-not a solitary horseman, but
two or three coming up the lane I! Oh
Madgc, perhaps Peyton is ono. You re
member he told us bc should come to Ridge
tom
And am not half ready Nelly, Low,
please help me, and you. Alice, keep watch
of thcm-you may be mistaken Margery't
want of readiness for moment absorbed
the ecstasy which the sudden event had
elected from usall.
Sister Ann. Sister Ann, do you sec any
thing coming ? once more demanded Madgc
as assisted her to her discomfort and my
own modification, us to the result Of oul
unwontod haste.
Here they are,' reioined Alice, beating q
hasty retreat from her rather prominent
point of observation. / am 30 delighted
girls, am all right, Nell " turning slowly
as she spoke, after the fashion of milliners
dolls, displaying thereby slender. muslin
robed figure, surmounted by head and face
which were well-shaped, and capable OF test.
ing by the most exuberant light. She was
called pretty piquant,' lovely rs the
taste of individuals ran (: to me she was very
attractive, hut then was her sister.
Three young gentlemen below, inquiring
for you ladies' announced Mrs. Ellery =
small maid, Maria and with proper aston
ishment the news was received and respond
cd to.
Don't hurry-let Ellinor smooth her
hair fortunate that she was dressed for
dinner, like Christian remarked Madge
the wise.
But I'm expiring to know who they. all
are. put in Alice, impatiently; to which as
elder and more experienced, replied,
| dare say so, and We are quite US eager;
but remember, my dear, flour stronger broth
ers can be said to possess any little weak
ness, it is that Of supposing that we are dy-
ing daily in their bebalf!' Concluding
which grand peromtion, with final touch
to laces and hounccs, lead the way down
stairs, followed by two modest and digni6ed
young ladies, who extinguished as they
went the lingering echoes Of merriment.
The trio in waiting, who arose ut our en-
trance, proved severally to bc Peyton, our
ncishbor and beau general when ut home,
his classmate, and Margcry's admirer, Will
lis, and stranger, who resemblcd, in per.
sonal appearance, the horseman who had
passed us on our last ramblc.
To the entertainment of this individual
I, as n matter of necessity, devoted myself,
Alice and Margcry having been Immediately
plunged into u sea of questions and replies
which oyerran and oyerthrew each other in
the eagerness Of meeting.
But, alas for good intentions! vainly my
best Efforts at sprightly conversation were
tossed out to careless hearer. AZ often as
politeness would allow, the flow Of his indii.
ierent responses ceased, during which brief
interval he seemed absorbed in studying the
effect of light and shade upon the little
group, over whom the sunny ripple OF the
tree shadows wayered and played Agrea-
BILE, ism I it, to be handsome and fascinating,
and TO attract the three beaux in the room
80 us to leave one lonely female to play au-
ditor in corner. Well, it's best to get
used tn it and with this poor consolation.
which was all | could gather for present
emergencies. sank deeper into tho easy
chair, and abandoned the unsateful son OF
Adam to his fate.
Nelly, DEAR Alice leaned forward to
make her appeal, why ,annot we make
that expedition to the Cave We have 50 long
ed to undertake, tomorrow. Mr.. Pcyton
would like to 60, and the Others would con-
sent, presume (What delighted assur'
ances from the stranger, what ii 1 had invit'
ell him p Nothing could bo moro agrea'
bio to my taste,' and saying this very gra'
ciously, | thought of n certain good Aunt
Martha who was occasionally jolted out O
her maidcnly retirement to act rs chaperOne
at the seaside or mountains when Two oi
thrccwild girls demanded such oversight. Tn,
most oficiOus ciyility could not have per
suaded me that was looked on in any othei
light by these gay cheyaliers. OF course nj
satisfaction can be greater than that of gaz
ing at the enjoyment Of others, and being a'
amiable US most Of my sex, received tn,
lingering adienx Of our guests as though they
had called especially on me, and were look
ing forward to reunion on the morrow, mol
alone with my sister and cousin, but will
myself.
In spite of anxious fears for the weather
and running commentary upon every topic
that could bear discussion. Margery ant
Alice were finally overcome by sleep, on th,
night following that eventlul afternoon. Ant
doubt not the kindly God who showeret
poppies over their bed, scattered with then
many pleasant vision folded in the dreamy
heart of those flowers.
Morning dawned at length, clear, and sof
and golden. Earth arose from her baptism
Of tears to rejoice in the sunlight of Heaven
At an early hour we set forth upon our ex
ploring expedition, guided only by the di
rcctions of our host, who sketched, as def
nitely as might bc, our path over the hill
and lar away to the famous Cave hidder
In the depths Of the forest, difficult Of access
hut a very miracle Of beauty when Iound.
Peyton and Willis came loaded with apol
ocies and regrets. Parkman had suddenl,
been obliged to leave Ridgeton, and mus
foreco the pleasure he hadanticipated. Th'
c.:..,I,,, r,,.der NAV imagine the relief which