Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-04-22

"Yos never looked better in your life,
Adele. Here let me fasten this rose aud
a few geranium leaves in your hair.
! And she plucked the single tea rose that
was blooming on the little bush in the
china flower pot that stood by the sitting
room window. u
| 4 Tho parlors we're tastefully hung with
green, and the long Freach windows,
opening. .on porches and lawns, were
thrown wide open, and perfect flood Of
light streamed out and lighted up the
tastefnlly laid out grounds. u .
Nellie May was radiant in perfect
cloud of rose colored tarletan, and by
her side stood Clarence Hope, to whom
she introduced her guests as she received
them. t.e.on r.n
An hour passed by, aud all the invited
guests had arrived. Many a glance OF
surprise and naughty pride was cast
upon Adele Graham, as she moved
gracefully through the rooms, apparent
ly unconscious of the remarks her pres
enee occasioned. fl Itl1l
Julia Gill, naughty, imperious
beauty, the daughter Of retired pork
merchant, rushed up to Nellie, exclaim-
ing; f
"Well, Nell, what in the world pos.
sessed you to invite that Adele Graham
to your party2 You know she is not in
society,""
II know 1t, T" replied Nellie, blushing,
but my cousin insisted upon it, be-
cause her father happened to be known
to him years ago; and he could not be
convinced that there was any, difference
between Adele, the dressmaker, and
Adele, the bankers daughter.
q "Ill put flea in his ear, said the
naughty beauty, tossing back her curls
with well affected grace.
Adele Graham, as she hung upon the
arm Of Clarence Hope, and promenaded
through the spacious halls and parlors,
was a pretty picture of innocence and
enjoyment; and Clarence brought into
requisition all his fund of entertaining
conversation. Many an envious glance
was bestowed upon Adele and many an
unkind epithet more than whispered as
the evening passed by, and Clarence still
fingered at her side, apparently oblivious
to the beauty and grace around him,
striving TO attract his attention and IA
vor. That evening when be bade Adele
good night at her mothers door, he said:
Miss Graham, / am about to, claim
the privilege Of calling to see you often
during my stay in Clinton, Your father
was an esteemed friend Of mine, and his
daughter and widow must be the same.
am sure my mother will be happy
to welcome you at any time" replied
Adele And they parted for the night
When Clarence returned to his aunts,
be found his cousin Nellie in fit of the
pouts.
Heydey-what's the matter here ?"
he said, as he flung himself into an easy
chair. '
Matter enough, l should think. The
party has been an utter failure. You
have spoiled everything by your exclu-
sive attentions to that vulgar dress
maker Then, all the girls came out in
new dresses, and did their best to attract
your attention, and draw from you one
approving smile, but you we're blind to
every one and everything but that Adele
Graham"
And why not2. What do care for
set of chatteriug fools like Julia Gill and
her followers? l tell you Nellie, Adele
Graham has more sense than the whole
of them put together, and you would do
we'll to cultivate her acquaintance, for
her friendship is something of which any
sensible woman might well be proud"
SO saying, he arose and left the room,
and Nellie burst into passionate flood
of tears. To think that he, the cousin of
whom she was so proud, and of whom she
had boasted so much, should call her
dear friends "a set of chattering fools. "
1t was too much, and poor Nellie went to
sleepless pillow that night.
Z Six weeks few by, and during that
time Clarence Hope was frequent visitor
at Mrs Graham's cottage, and almost
daily Adele and he might be seen riding
and walking together. nE
At length Madame Rumor said that
they were engaged, and the 'giddy girls
who had tried in vain to attract his at
tention, cody wondered what the man
saw in Adele Graham, their dressmsker,
to admire; but they treated Adele with
increased attention and courtesy. If
she was really to be the wife of wealthy
Mr.. Hope, it would not do to slight her.
At length Adele gave up work. She
was too busy, she said, to accommodate
her old customers, and then they were
satisfied that their conjectures were true.
Nor were they wrong. Three months
after Nellie Mays party, Clarence Hope
and Adele Graham we're married, quietly
and without display. and after rather an
extended wedding tour, they returned to
Clinton and took up their abode in the
stately mansion that had been the home
of Adele before her fathers failure and
death, which with some difficulty had
been purchased
Adele Graham was not, however, a
peuniless bride, as many at tfrstsupposed
her, for few days after the party, she
became the possessor of quite a hand
some fortune by the death of q distant
and almost unknown relative. This she
kept to herself until the day of her mar
riage, for she wanted fully 10 test the
depth of Clarence Hopes love. And
when Il became known in Clinton that
Adele had fortune in her own right be-
sides the handsome fortune Of her hus-
band, all wondered at her eccenlricity,
and by redoubled efforts of attention,
enaeavored to wipe out the memory of
past neglect But Adele was happy, and
cared little for the attention and hattery
showered upon her She loved her hus-
band, and the days glided by freighted
with joy and sunshine. nl
Napoleon at worhip.
par;s corresnnndent thus describes