The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-10-18

Wnllc In InlS mOOu. therefore turned
to Mr.. Mellor, and inquired if Miss Stan
ley was acquainted with the contents of
the will.
"Yes," replied Mr.. Mellor; "Mr. Stan
ley. had described your friend in such
glowing colors to his grand daughter. that
She, anxious to fulfill her mothers dying
injunction to obey her grandfather in all
things, promised that, if Mr.. Lancewood
wished to marry her, she would raise no
objection
"What are you going to do with your
self, Harry?" said Charley, "for my part,
the sooner l leave this place the better.
I suppose my belongings can remain here
for the present. he said, turning to Mr..
Mellor. "When have found aresting
place, will send for them
"You had better let them remain alto
gether, think was the reply; to which
Charley did not vouchsafe any response,
but turned to me-, seeking reply to his
first question.
''I must go at once to my fathers, /
said, "and shall only ssbe too glad if you
will stay with ne as long as you feel dis
posed SO to do
My invitation was at once accepted; but
we did not remain long in England. as by
my fathers advice we determined to finish
the course of study we had commenced in
Paris. L tried several times during our
journey to shake Charley's antipathy
to Miss Stanley, but it was useless. At
last our studies were concluded, and we
once more returned to my fathers house,
which he had begged Charley to consider
as his home until he had decided on his
future line of life.
We had not been at home very long
before l received an invitation from a
Mrs Archer, a widowed connection of my
mothers, to spend few weeks with her,
and participate in their Christmas amuse-
ments. She had two children-one boy
of twelve or fourteen, the elder one a
daughter, about twenty-one. There had
been sundry tender passages between
Helen and myself: but nothing quite final
had been permitted in the way of an en-
gagement until such time as my studies
were completed Hence this invitation
gave me great satisfaction, especially as it
also as it particularly included Charley
Lanccwood, who, Mrs. Archer said, she
understood was staying with me.
The invitation was therefore accepted,
and one bright winter day we arrived a:
Brennan Lodge, where we received hear
ty welcome from Mrs. Areher hose kind
cordial manner at once won Charley s
good will. She led the way into the Ii
brary, saying, as she went, You are just
| in time for dinner l had almost begun
| to fear you would not come till the last
train.
"The snow has made the trains all
late" said Charley: shut l had some
difficulty in preventing Harry from start
ing last night, for fear he might not reach
Brennan to day; remark which made Mrs
Archer smile, but brought bright colo
to Helen's cheek, who was waiting t.
greet us in the library. IA
1--WE are only small party said Mrs
Archer; ''my old school-fellow, Mrs. Oak
ley, and her companion, Miss Faucett
are my only visitors besides yourselves
| but as we are four ladies, you two gen
tlemen will have to be extra attentive t,
us all.
The dinner-bell now rang loudly, ant
Mrs. Archer desired her son Ralph, ;
fine, noble boy, to show us to our rooms
which we were not dispieased to find com
municated by door.
When we descended to- the drawing
room we found the ladies all assembled
/ Our hostess introduced us to her friend
| Mrs. Oakley, a comfortable matronly
| looking lady, who looked as though sh
always made the best of everything, anc
went through the world as easy as posi-
BILE. She then slightly named younl
lady. who sat rather in the background al
Miss Fawcett, and who blushed deeply a
we acknowledged the introduction.
/ Dinner was announced, and Mrs. Ar
cher requested me to lead Mrs. Oakle,
and Helen into the dining room, and t
take the seat opposite to herself. Thi
was thing she had never before done,
felt that it was intended to mark tn
place / was henceforth to hold. | thank
ed her with look which she understood
for she smiled and nodded; and ther
turning to Charley, took his arm, but sud
denly checking herself, as if she ha
forgotten something, she said to her sor
,sOh, Ralph, you must take Miss Fawcet
, in.''
Isaw Charley turn and look at th
young lady, as if half disposed to efft
his other arm, but Mrs. Archer motione
to her son to pass on, and We took ou
places at the table.
, Dinne; was merry meal, all, with th
exception of Miss Fawcett, being in caE
ital spirits, and the conversation neve
, tagged. I noticed, however, that sh
rarely spoke unless directly addresse,
aud then simply and shortly replied.
I came to the conclusion that the compar
Z ion had been tutored to remember tina
= though "among them" she was not =
q them" and rather pittied her. She was
: fair, delicate looking girl, with large dar
y grey eyes, and profusion of soft brow
: hair. Though not by any means beaut
f full, she was still attractive In appearant
I and extremely lady-like, although, as
have said, she shrank from taking ar
place in the society in which she appear
/ ed. As soon as the ladies had will
drawn, eagerly inquired what Charlie
d thought of my lady-love.
y 81 think she seems very nice girl
he replied. "She is a very pretty, st.