The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-06-27

to find himself the coveted and fattered
favorite of the beau monde.
Tired at last, of the giddy rounds of
pleasure, he determined to seek out con-
genial companion to share his home and
fortune, and such an one he fondly i'm
agined he had found in the beautiful and
accomplished Edith Howard, and upon
the very same evening when we behold
him talking to Alice, he had made his
toilet with uausGal care, and turned his
steps toward "the Howard's," bent upon
hearing his fate decided by the lips of
the fair Edith, when his footsteps were
opportunely arrested as we have seen,
and his plans altered, for startled by the
display of the sudden and passionate tenn
per of Edith's in her treatment of Alice,
he deemed it prudent to wait a little
lcnger, ere he trusted his hearts happi-
ness into her keeping, so taking Alice by
the hand he turned about, and retraced
his way back to his own manson.
Six months passed away, when one
day as the steward removed the dresser
from the wall to dust behind it, the miss
ing brooch fell to the floor. Stung with
remorse, Edith would lave gladly sought
out the injured and innocent Alice, and
made some reparation for the great wrong
she had done her. but it was now toe late,
and SO time passed on, and the matter
was forgotten, but she could not under
stand why the rich Mr.. Pemberton never
proposed when he seemed so attentive
to her.
We will now pass over three years,
. which has slipped away, as all years do,
and enter a mansion fronting on Fifth
Avenue, that home of nabobs, where we
may behold Alice, now tall and stately
woman of eighteen, seated ou sofa, end
; by her side sits her noble benefactor, Mr.
Pemberton. Alice is mach changed
, since the night when, homeless wan
derer, she found friend in Arthur. Her
features, now no longer pale and sallow,
have assumed a rouudness that betokens
the enjoyment of health ; and her mind
that nobiest Of Gods gifts to mort;ls, has
not been neglected, SO that while beauty
ilONCIS lIEl AbS~iA$S'
sits enthroned upon her brow.
She las just returned from the semi
nary where Arthur placed her soon after
their first meeting, having graduated
,, with all tne honors the institution could
bestow, and at the final examination, had
the satisfaction of hearing and seeing her
beaefactor the loudest in his applause at
her successful debut, and she has now
returned to his homo to become its mis-.
tress and dispense its hospitali:ies.
Arthur's disappointment in his first
choice of companion, made him resolve
! not TO marry at ali, aud he has devoted
his time to study, keeping, however, an
eye to the interests of his ward, until
) they have beceme SO closely interviewer
J With his own, that the thought that some
one else might claim her, sooner or later,
! caused kim much uneasiacss but to
> night he has just proposed, as the world
calls il, and asked her if she would con
sent to stay with him always, and be the
d mistress cf his heart as well as his home
1 Reader, let US for once break through
y the rules of decorum, and draw near and
listen to her reply. Now then, be quiet
and yeu shall hear.
e L" Mr. Pemberton, yoN have been M
# bencfactor and friend, and the Only one
a have known since God, in His wise
s providence, saw fit to deprive me of my
/ parents, and it is through your mean;
n that am what [ am. If it had not beer
:, for you, shudder to think what [ Nigh
n have been, and if the life you have saved
is worthy of your acceptance, it is yours
e 1t is needless to say that he did accept
it, and from thenceforth their two live:
n became one. And, reader, this was the
reward of virtue. Go and do thou
l, likewise.