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

kinder or more Thoughtful. | would not
tease him for the worlG.'
Your society is SC very tempting,
said Arthur Sandford, that | almost for
get have business to DO. Miss Vaughan,
will you hold yourself disengaged for
the first quadrille to nght?'
We'll, as a reward for such a pretty
present think | must
Goodbye, ladies, he said, and hur-
ried off.
How beautifully you do your back
halr, Mary said Isabella, almost queru-
lously; 4 wish l could do mine az we'll.
Shall do yours to>night p said
Mary.
oh, l wish you would-with flose
beautiful plaits, and my black hair wNuld
look so nice with them, black hair al
ways dresses so much better than brown
You must go up early then, my dea's,
said Mrs. Pembroke, for anxiously she
saw Mary's pale cheek. Mary does aot
look very well tonight, and l should not
like her to look i'll at the ball.
Quickly and lovingly Mary looked up
she knew her mother felt for her, and
was the more grateful that she did not
force her into any confidence, which un-
der the circumstances would be painful
to both.
No sister decking another with care
ful hands could have braided Isabella's
hair more tenderly than did Mary that
night. Step by step she walked in faith,
not caring to question of tomorrow. Ar
thur Sandford loved her not, but she
must not be unkind or impatient to her
he did love, or judge her with over
careful judgment.
The evening came, and when all the
aristocracy Of Chillingham and its neigh
borhood assembled in the large dancing
room at the Angel Inn, Mary dressed in
her last years dress-which by the bye,
no one remembered, except few who
seeretely respeeted her for wearing it
followed Mr.. Sandford and her elegantly
dressed cousin into the room, leaning on
her fathers arm. Her father was not so
indifferent to what was going on as he
might seem, but deemed her happiness
so precious to him, and his dear child so
far above all price, that if a word could
have recalled Arthur against bis will, he
would not have uttered it.
The tide had set against Mary that
night, however; many who had looked
upon her as almost affianced to Arthur
pit:ed her, but wished to be merry, and
therefore did not ask her to dance, and
as the gay music ratled on, she sat yet
by her mothers side, although her gentle
looks and patient smile might have at
racted any one.
Arthur was dancing with Isabella,
md fiirting-ah, could such attention be
Presently they came to her-Isabella
aughing, and holding up her beautiful
ace dress which had long rent in it.
Miss Pembroke said Arthur (how
lappy and handsome he looked,) we
iced you-your cousin has torn her
iress-do you mind coming with US to
be cloak room?'
1t was said in that tone which implies
hat all the world must give way before
ne person.
Certainly, said Mary, and she rose
nd took his arm, that arm which used
lmost to belong to her, and accompany
lg them to the cloak room, borrowed a
eedle and thread, and mended the dress
carefully as delicate lace could be
tended in such time, Arthur standing
and receiving all lsabella's badinage
18th good natured smiles. Oh, Mary
1t, if she might but lie down and hide
erself in the cloak room until the ball
as over, and that dreadful music silent.
ut Ar.hur's eyes were on her, watching -
sr curiousy, she thought, and she drew !.
her gloves with steady hand, and r,
companied them back to her mother.
ith whom they left her. u
She had not danced once-she had
gged her mother not to seek for part.
RS, and none had come Of themselves
r that evening she had been perfect
all lower,' but at the end of the eve :,
nc Arthur himself came and asked :
r. She did not retuse-she had no
iention of showing 'pique, and she en- =,
avored TO talk in the friendly style of :
|. "
Once again his arm was about her :.
it be possible that it would a.
IN be a crime to love bin?
4 have a very great favor to ask you, wi