Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-07-17
THE DAY BOOK.
SATURDAY MoRNNe, July Il, 1869.
lContinued from First page ]

with an air of assumed gayety;
for gay she was not, since she
had heard Minnie Lansing
spoken of with commentator
by the one she had learned in
her own selfish way to love, I
am not sure that you will find
Miss Benton a very ready ac-
complete in condemning me, as
| am indebted to her for an in
PRODUCTION to Miss Lansing, he
said jestingly, and finally 81
fenced Florence.
Alice Benton and Minnie
Lansing were the best of
friends in spite of their differ
ent position in regard to wealth.
Alice was fatherless and rich
while Minnie was blest with
that kind and watchful parent,
though in moderate circum-
stances. They were almost con-
stantly together, and ever the
sharer of each others joys and
sorrows. There never did two
more congenial spirits meet
than those Of the two lovely
girls Alice Benton and Minnie
Lansing;the same style of dress
worn, the same friends were
chosen, the same books were
read, and the same songs were
sung, with equal pleasure by
both, After Florence and Ar
thur Percy started for their
walk, Alice and Minnie stole
away from the crowd, and seat
ed themselves in a carriage a
little way from the church to
have a talk all to themselves
until evening service commenc-
ed.
w hlle they were sitting
there, Mrs. Mooreley, the lady
who performed on the organ,
was forced to return home with
her little boy who was taken
suddenly i'll; before she left, she
had by the request of several Of
the leading members of the
church, sought out Minnie Lam
sing, and engaged her services
in her Mrs. Mooreley's) stead
Tor the evening. They were
still in the carriage when Ar
thur and Florence returned
from their walk. When Alice
saw them approaching she look
ed out of the window and called
to Florence to bring DR.. Percy
I'VE are ever so glad you
have come she said to Flor
ence, Sasss she wishedsto engage
DR.. Percy's vocal powers this
evening. Mrs. Mooreley has
lett with her little boy, who was
taken i'll Immediately after din
ner, and our little friend Min
ME has been appointed to pre-
side in her place, and we want
both of you in the choir
Il can no doubt answer for
Miss Crowder, as we'll as my
self, he replied, as he helped
her into the carriage and him
self took a seat by her side.
SWe are only too glad to &C
cept Of your invitation, since
Miss Lansing is to preside at
the instrument,
Thank you DR., Percy; but l
believe | must decline Miss Ben
toms iuvitation,' she said
laughingly.
And why, cousin Florence?'
Minnie asked,a little surprised
at her answer, in Arthur Per-
cy's presence.
Arthur Percy looked at Flor
ence in surprise when Minnie
called her cousin. Miss Crow
DER he said, why have you
not told me that Miss Lansing
was your cousin ?
Haven't l?' she said con-
fusedly; for she knew she had
not, and she feared the omis-
sion of doing so, and the man
ner she had spoken to him of
her; would lesson her in his es-
timation; at least she feared she
would lose him altogether, and
would willingly have sacrificed
half her beauty to have had
their relations to each ter
kept a secret.
You are mistaken. Miss
Crowder,' he said, you only in
formed me that Miss Lansing
was your seamstress.
FIorence's fac e now wore q
crimson hue; she was more be-
wildered than ever, and wisely