Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-10-15
MISCELLANY.
Mabel's Rirst Season at Newport.


Mabel Graham had Just arrived at Newport
1t was her first season at any fashionable sum-
mer resort. She was only seventeen, and had,
two or three months before, finished her edu-
cation at a fashionable boarding school She
was an orphan, and had been adopted by a
wealthy lady, Mrs. GEeyille, her mothers
most intimate friend.
Mabel grew to love her dearly, and called
her mother. She very soon forgot her own
mother, who died when she was four years Of
age and hardly remembered she had had any
other than Mrs. Greyille.
Mabel was very beautiful. She had lovely
complexion of rich, creamy olive; eyes grey,
with violet lights, and hair Of golden brown
ripping back from broad, low brow Her
mouth showed that she possessed great deter
mination and strength of will, aud that she
could battle bravely through life for herself
and others; but to soften this masculine trait
in her character, the lips had great sweetness
in their expression.
She wac very gracefu! In figure. No matter
how she was attired, everything became her,
and she carried it all of with a grace and style
that was wonderful. There needed no exter-
nal sdornment to add to 1t. She was quite ac-
complishcd, played brilliantly on the piano
and sang like bird She possessed one Of
the most beautiful hands, small white, and
with taper fingers tipped with pink rosy nails
This was, as | said, our heroine's first day
at Newport. As soon as her trunks arrived
she busted herself in unpacking them. Asshe
was seated On the floor before one of them
some one knocked at the door, and moment
after a young girl entered the room.
ooh. Mabel" she exclaimed, " am so glad
Won have come to old Newport, in preference
to any other place. We will have grand times
together"
Il am glad, too, said Mabel, smiling bright
ly. Rising from her knees, she embraced her
friend Carrie Wray warmly. "Ilook forward,
she continued, "to my soiourn here withsgrcat
expectation and pleasure | am glad you arc
here, for your face is the only orc familiar to
me here. You know this is my first season at
any of the summer resorts
Yes, l know" replied Carrie "and there
fore shall take you in charge, and initiate
YOU into the ways of society here. The hous-
is crowded with strangers some Of them are
very distinguished There are twoo or three
senator's from Washington, and Governor Of
one Of the States, and four or FIVE handsome
looking foreigners There is young English
man here. all the young ladies are in love with
him. It's no wonder, for he is reported to be
very wealthy, and besides, he is strikingly
handsome. But he does not take the least no
tice of their homage But what are you going
to wear this evening, Nabel?' she asked alb
ruptly.
a don't know, replied Mabel. Il thought
would wear my white alpaca trimmed with
bands Of blue satin. Won't that do, Carrie p
she asked, taking it out of her trunk, and hold
ing it up for her inspection. You are a bet
ter Judge than |.
"Of course 1t will do, ," she replied, "and you
will look lovely in it. Blue is very becoming
to You. Suppose I help you uupaek; the
dressing bell will ring in half an hour, glanc-
ing at her tiny Geneva watch.
THANK you; l would be glad Of your as
sistance"
In short time the large trunks were un-
packed and placed away for the time being in
the closet
81 will go aud dress now, Mabel, " remarked
Carrie. 81 viii stop for you on my way down.
As soon as Mabel was dressed, she sough;
her mothers room.
Mamma" she said, approaching the 'of'
on which Mrs. Greyille was sitting and reading
a novel, do you not admi:c my evenings
toilet p
AZ do, my child" she replied, glancing of
from her book, and surveying Mabel with fond
admiriug eyes. "It's perfect. l have Away
thought you had good taste, and you show Il
in your attire Of tonight"
Mabel did indeed look lovely; the dress was
very becoming The usually pale cheeks were
tinged with a aflush Of excitement at the thought
of meeting so many strangers FOR the frsttime
and her eyes were lighted up with anticipated
enjoyment. A moment after, Carrie Wray
knocking at the door, they went down to th'
drawing-room. Mrs. Greville meeting son'