The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-08-09
THE LITTLE OLD MAID,
by MARY E. CLARK.

lluey lot haurd OF lOr mt! u w mere nave
you kept them hidden?"
The speaker,a pretty but rather insipid
looking blonde, held up, as she spoke, a
cluster of fine old ornaments for The hair
a sprig of wheat and striped grass, very
|graceful and pretty.
"They were a keepsake from an old
friend, and have been among my treasures
for thirteen years.
"But now they are for me- said the
young girl caressingly. "They will be SC
lovely for to morrow evening, and must
look my best, for the girls will all don
their most fascinating attire in honor OF
the occasion"
"Is it not rather marked to be so anx-
ious? In my young days ladies waited to
be sought and courted; but to judge from
what you have told me, this hero may
have any one in Silverdale for the ask
ing"
"Well, he won't know it. And. aunt
Fanny, he really is worth courting. lie
is so very rich
''Is that all that is required, Bertha, in
husband?"
"Well,it is the main thing anyhow now
a-days. But Lawrence Lano has more
than riches. Before he went to Austria
liza, report says he was one of the most
talented men of the day, and you know
Europe Old Mrs. Harding always bles-
ses him for true Christian gentleman,
so | suppose he adds charity to the best
of attractions, for she is not lavish of
praise unless one is willing to assist her. /"
| GA true Christian geutleman!"
| Aunt Fanny repeated the phrase in a
musing tone, while soft light came into
her dark eyes and smile hovered over
her lips.
Bertha, seeing that the gold ornaments
were not to decorate her hair went off
singing, while, with tender touch, aunt
Fanny replaced her treasures in her jewel
case.
The next evening Laura and Bertha, in
feecy white robes; with the blush roses
and other delicate flowers in their hair,
and looping the lace folds here and there,
stood before the long mirror in the draw
ing room, pouring. !.
az cant see what she wants to go for, .
said Laura pettishly. "She hasn't been
to party since mamma died, and that's
ten years ago! Little, dried up old maidr
''[ wonder if she is going husband
hunting at her age" said Bertha. "Why
she is thirty if she is day
And the beauty of thirteen shook hel
head eontemptuously at the idea of sucl
an advanced age been attractive.
In the meantime, the object of thei
ill natured remarks, the gentle aunt, wht
for ten years had filled a mothers place
to these, her sisters children, waited il
her room for the carriage. She had clat
her small, slight figure in black silk
whose simplicity was relieved by ricl
folds of black lace, delicately embroid
cred with golden clusters of wheat. Th
round white arms and throat were no
decked with jewels, but in the braids o
hair cleaned the golden ornaments whicl
the little old maid had cherished for thir
teen years. She was not beautiful, ye
: there was a charm in her sweet face,
: grace in her gentle movements and mu
a sic in her voice that was sought in vain
S her more dashing nieces. AS she waitet
a her eyes rested upon letter, yellow an
y worn, which had long been hidden unde
|: her treasured ornaments. Opening it sh
: read:
!" "since you will not disobey your faith
e er, and | cannot command thesum he d.
g mands to pay my dead fathers debts
: him, we must part Part for time onl,
d for though seas roll between, and we ma
6 not write, your heart and mine cannot |
s wholly severed. Trust mel trust me ,da
IS ling; for. though years may elapse, I wi
d return true to my pledge to you. Wi
e you keep the little gold sprig | dared
e offer on your birthday, that something
, mine may be yours? Oh! my darlin
Ia how I linger, dreading to write farewe
n. but it must be done. Your resolutic
never to marry clandestinely command
1t my respect, as your gentle sweetness 10,
at ago won my love. God guard you al
~ keep you from sorrow. Till we meet,
for LAWRENCE. :"
ht It was brilliant party that Mrs. Ha
n kins, the leader Of fashion in Silveida
en- gave to her returned nephew. He h
y left the village poor lawyer. struggle
to against fortune, and burdenod by know
It edge of his fathers large debts. Vain
ng striving to pay these, he had lived mean
he dressed with economy, and been W
an known as one upon whom the iron ha
IFS of poverty rested heavily. No farew
Id party had been made when he announc
N, his Intention of seeking his fortune
ho Australia. His relatives were rather 81
Id to be rid of him; and Of all Silvorda
n but one heart had ached for his loss,
ii one of his friends had watched for
he return. No word had come to any q
till letter to his aunt announced his
turn after thirteen years of travel. !
us his fathers debts were paid, and his Is
n yer spoke of large sums invested in va
): Gus ways. So Mrs. Hawkins consult
he her set, and the result was the brilli;
all assemblage which Laura and Bertha WI
he to honor, and where the ''little, dried
le- old maid" their aunt, was to appear
ee.J society after ten years of seclusion.
lie, The hero of the evening had not ;
al peared when the trio, under the escort
le- MIR. Leslie, Bertha and Laura's father
tered, but soon stir near the door
nounced his arrival. A tall, distinsui
u ed looking man of thirty6ve, with T
ished manners and well modulated vol