Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-11-27
The Chillingham Ball:
HOW MARY PEMBROGES LOVE WAS TRIED.


him-I know myself at last; but will
not do myself dishonor, l will not let my
self be jealous, ill tempered, or mean, il
| can help it.
Mary Pembroke was seated at her
dressing table, looking full at the mirror
as if she would read through her own
eyes straight down into her soul. She
was not gifted with fine or over sensitive
feelings, or she might have followed up
these words spoken in her heart, by lay
ing out a map of her future life, all des>
olate aud waste, as poor disappointed
maiden's life would seem to be, until the
picture had become too much for endu-
rance, and she had buried her face in her
hands and wept passionately over fu-
ture before which the eye of faith wells
itself in silence and humility. She did
not do this-she merely wiped two large
tears from her eyes, and smoothed care
fully the soft brails of her brown hair
i will not do myself dishonor,' she said,
nor show that | am only a fair weather
Christian
She rose then and knelt herself down
by the white coverlid of her tiny bed
and asked for strength, meaning to use
| it.
II was the morning of the Chillingham
bali, and in the days which preceded the
railroad age, when neigh5orhoods were
confined in fixed circles, this was an event
of vital importance to the society which
looked upon Chillingham as its central
Town. For years past that society had
computed time by its ChilIingham balls,
as the Greeks by Olympiads. No young
lady was considered TO have reached a
marriageable age, until she bad made her
first appearance there, and woe TO her
aching heart as the years went by, if
they still compelled her to appear there
unmarried, for there Eas dreadful reck-
oning kept against her on the side seats
where the dowagers rested, dowagers
who well remembered her first appear
-t.t -'---' '-4.'e oeen eigttcen.
at least.
Dread as the ordeal was, and willing.
ly as many would have avoided it, it is
not to be wondered at If mothers led
their children there for the first time with
aching and anxious hearts, judging from
their knowledge Of the banking book at
home how little provision would be left
for them when the bread winners hand
should have ceased to work, and knowing
that this appearance would test the
worlds opinion of them. Good children,
they are perhaps educated to make care
tul housekeepers and dutiul wives but
what will the world say of them, they
wonder, as they glance round the room
with a Sigh: sinking of the heart, lest
when they have brought out the daugh-
tiers they love so we'll for a little limos
cent amusement, they may be suspected
of bringing their wares to market.
With feelings as keen as any other
mothers, Mrs. Pembroke had looked
forward to Mary's second appearance
and, until the last few days, she had
little triumph which should
renew the days of her own youth. Mr.
Pembroke was one Of the chief solicitors
ot the town, and one whose well tested
orobity had caused him to be received
where his birth and connections would
otherwise not have entitled him to no
ice. Some two or three years before.
he had t a k Arthur Sandford as a +,
working partner, looking upon him as a
'oung man of merit and industry but
Tery lately the connection between them
lad undergone change. A relative
lad lied, leaving Arthur Sand.ord a
ortune, of which he might have had
nst expectations, but which he had new :
r been foolish enough to reckon upon,
nd his place in the firm became very
ifferent one. From that time Mrs.
'embroke had fancied she detected u
hange in his attentions to Mary. For
ears his attachment to her seemed GER II
lin, and youth upon her side, and un- :,
srtain prospects upon his, seemed to far
,eing friends the only obstacles to their >
arriage. During these days of happy - ;,
itimacy, Mary had not cared to ask the : :,
lestion, which she had so bravely set
erself to answer that day, nor had she "
oted the change her mother had de- :,
cted until the last week, when a cir "
instance had assured her at once of her "
vn state of feeling, and the necessity of .
it.
Isabella Vaughan-her mothers niece.
ID the daughter of rich London mer- IL
come to spend the Christ ,h