The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-02-01

her efforts to the contrary; for Jane was in
the habi, OF controlling her emotions, when
wounded and hear.sore, until safely con-
cealed IN her own room.
"Look :" exclaimed Isabel, opening her
large black eyes TO their utmast capacity,
.the child is really weeping. Why Jane
YOU are more like the picture than ever.
You would never do for heroine IN novel ,
for they are always represented as irresis-
tible in tears"
"Mercy how red your eyes are" ejacu-
lated azure-orbed Clara. "fou do look
frightful"
.The poor child can't help being ugly !"
interposed Fanny gazing complacently into
the mirror opposite, where her red lips and
auburn ringlets were adyantageOusly re-
fected.
"Tha, is jus, what pains me-" sObbsd
Jane.
because God saw e. to create me plain,
| do not see why should be made the butt
Of every coarse Jest. | suppose ] have
feelings like other people. Should my faults
Of temper or commissions Of duty be chosen
as subjects Of ridicule, am sure ] would
not complain; but to ridlcule my personal
appearance, | think, sayors coarseness and
ignorance.
IsabeI's black eyes flashed. Jane, the
Youngest Of them all, always so submissive,
always so humble to burst out 50 suddenly,
with so pointed declaration !
"Mr. Lee, in the drawing room, wishes
to see Miss Jane," announced the servant
at this juncture.
"Are you certain he said Jane? demand
cd Clara.
AYES, men," replied the waiter.
"Lottie is III again, no doubt" suggested
Fanny. .Jane is such an excellent nurse |;
and Isabel added, "I wish cousin Charles
had come in to spend the evening In So
ciable way"
II would certainly have been very agree.
able, for Charles Lee was rich, hne-looking,
and intelligent, a widower aud remotely
related TO the Milfords. No wonder the
Hall found cousin Charles an interesting
gentleman, his little daughter Lottie per-
feet angel, and his couutry-seat terrestrial
Paradise.
Jane oitered on the way to the drawing
room, striving to efilce all traces Of her re-
cent grief. ais Lottio ill.," in,errogc,ed
she, as Mr.. Lee approached her.
"No, Jane," he replied, "Lotiie Is well,
but in want
"In want !" Jane repeated.
ayes, in want OF mother, and OF
wife, and have come here tonight to Otier
myself TO little Jane Milford as her Valen-
tine for life, II she will accept man old
enough to be her father"
"Why,l Sm very plain, she fal,ered forth,
IL have Just received the most hOrrld carica-
ture you ever saw, in consideration OF my
claims to extraordinary ugliness."
III recollect thinking you plain when |
first saw you," he replied; "but now, IN my
eyes, you are the prettiest OF the four. Be-
sides | do not base my preferences on per
sonal beauty. You are good, gentle, aud
sweet-toned and | love you. But about
the Valentine do you consider me Particu-
larly ill-lOoking"
"You, Mr.. Lee" said Jane, innocently;
"why, you are handsome"
"Well, | received Valentine to-day
quite as grotesque as your own, III be
bound" aud he unfolded sheet, revealing
a lone widower shiyeriug over miserable
fire. "But this awakened me to sense OF
my desolate condition, and determined to
appeal to you, notwithstanding my fear Of your
reply, when consider my thirty-six and
your eighteen years. Is that barrier,
dear Jane z"
Dear Jane What a charm fingered all
around those two little words Who had
ever pronounced them so softly and tender
ly before? No one, she was positive; and
she naively replied.
"Oh should never think Of that"
"What eau keep Jane so long 2" said
Clara, restlessly, ii can't think for my life
wha, cousin Charles could want"
Jane entered the room just as she had
spoken these words.
"Where is cousin Charles?' queried
Fanny.
"ln the study with papa" was the answer,
and, taking a light, Jane glided from the
room to be alone with her new happiness.
The next morning, wonder, chagrin, and
disappointment could be discovered IN the
faces Of the three sisters, on hearing their
father congratulate Jane on the very eligible
match she made. "For," said he, ~ have
always hoped to see Charles Lee my SON
in-law, and, though you are no beauty, |
think he has manifested good sense in his
| selection"
Jane keeps her carics,ure. She says she
looks at il occasionally, for fear her other
Valentine (Charles) should succeed in max
ing her believe herself pretty.
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