Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-11-27

and jewelry to set Chillingham talking OF
her wit and beauty, although she was not
quite so good looking as Mary thought
her. She was older than Mary, aud
more assured in her manners, and she
had evidently set herself TO make con-
quest of the talented young solicitor,
whose new house on the other side OF
the town was beginning to make people
talk. Now, properly, Arthur Sandford
should have shown himself Indifferent tc
the London beauty, but he did not be
fell into the snare as readily as the silly
fish seizes the we'll baited hook. Or
some pretense or other, he was constantly
at the house, and always the gentleman
in attendance on the well fiedged coquette
and yet with a measure Of his old eau
ton, too, for he contrived to keep Mary
always in their near neighborhood.
AS the Chllingham ball approached
wonderful garments had made their ap.
pearance by coach from London to Isa-
bella, while Mary's more modest toilet
was doomed to disappointment.
Mary Mrs. Pembroke had said tc her,
your papa conlesses to slight embar-
rassment in money matters just now, and
has asked me to be very careful. know
he never says what is not true, or denies
US what he can spare,-dear child, can
you do without a new dress for the ball ?
Mary considered moment with blank
face, then cleared it rapidly, and said,
though with some little effort;
oh, yes, mama dear the one | wore
last year will do quite we'll
Gould we get it altered? anxiously
suggested Mrs. Pembroke.
1T will do quite well, mamma said
Mary; TO have it altered will be nearly
as expensive as getting a new one. do
not mind it in the least
So it was that when Mary sat in her
little room, pondering over life and its
difficulties, her last years dress lay on
the bed. There was a nice little fire, an
unusual luxury, burning in the CRATE, for
her mother, guessing, but not interfering
with, the struggle going on within her,
.l,u4 .lsss.-s.aas.s
.auu mad ordered il early.
It had been pretty dress, but the
trimmings were last years trimmings, so
were the sleeves, and that which had
been snow white last year looked rather
yellow now as it lay, reminding her of
pleasant dances when he, who must be
very dear no more, was by her side, lis.
tening for her voice above all others.
i must go down. Said Mary, YEARLY
and she went down to the drawing-room,
where she found Isabella aud her mother
discussing the merits of beautiful set of
pearls which the former intended to wear
with superb white lace dress over
pink satin petticoat.
Mary came behind them in the gentle
dignity of heart true TO itself, and ad-
mired the pearls, as who would not.
The door opened, and Mr. Sandford
was announced. He entered, carrying
two bouquets, one of white and exuuis-
tely scented flowers and the other COM
posed of different colors and evidently
Inferior to the other in beauty. With
'ourtly little speech of ordinary fattery
le handed the white flowers to Miss
Vaughan, and with kind gentlemanly
manner he offered the others to Mary.
She took them with gentle grace,
luietly thanking him, while Isabella
overwhelmed him with thanks and praise.
Mary she said, 'let me see if | do
lot like yours best,-I suppose l may =
ave which / like best, Mr.. Sandford p 8
i dare say Miss Pembroke will not l
bJect to give you hers, if you prefer it, Z
e said quietly; but think l have a
hosen the best for vou.' q
Here was an opportunity for Mary to Q
ay she did not care for either. but she v
My said: #
'The white one will match your dress
ith its white ornaments, and it is much "
le prettiest.' |
We'll, if it is the prettiest, will keen b
; said Isabella coquetishly and the o
ID roses will do best with your old dress. a
'ar, will they not ? W
Only a year DID, said Mary smiling,
r she saw her mamma was deeply hurt, b
lat the fact should be brought before NJ
Ir. Sandford's notice, and it is almost fo
good as new 'v
Fancy ? cried Isabella; hear her. nj
n. Sanford she says the dress she h
ore at the last Chillingbam ball is as in
'od as new d,
why did you not have a new dress p oil
ked Mr.. Sandford.