Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-07-17

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Arthur had good view of her
face; there she sat, cold and
selfish in her magnificent beau
ty ,attired in the most gorgeous
apparel, jewels flashing upon
her arms and around her beau
tiful neck. What a contrast to
the sweet and unassuming Min
ME Lansing, attired in a plain
figured muslin dress, no jewel
except brooch to fasten the
delicate collar, land a little plain
gold watch which she always
wore; no costly mantle that
! adorned the royal shoulders of
a queen shone with more beau
ty and loneliness, than the
rich golden hair that fell in
soft luxuriant circles over her
slender neck and shoulders.
Arthur thought he had never
met with one so beautiful before.
| When she took her seat at the
organ Arthur stood by her
side and sang from the same
book; nor did this mark of at
tention excape the vigilant eye
of Florence. He shall vet
learn to hate her. she thought,
as she saw his eyes of dark
splendor resting SO lovingly on
her.
After the meeting adjourned
for the evening they waited at
the door for Florence. Alice
was a lively girl ever ready
for sport. When Florence
joined them, Arthur had step
ed aside to speak to some gen
tlemen; Alice touched Florence
on the arm with her fan and
said
shall call you and Minnie
Rival Cousins, and | am going
to see who shall win
Florence replied with q
naughty air, and said do you
think Minnie Lansing can sup
plant me- nor did she wish
the remark to escape the ear Of
Minnie.
'The contest will be a warm
one no doubt, Alice replied
warmly.
IF Florence has mortgage
| do not wish to enter the
field Minnie said laughing,
Arthur joined them, made
an engagement with Minnie,
to see her after tea, and all re-
turned to their separate homes.
According to promise he
called; the evening was spent
with pleasant conversation
singing and music; he found
she possessed pure rich mind,
untainted by the foolish and
worthless things of the world.
| IF he had ever admired her he
worshiped her now, and his
love was as bright and pure as
the unchanging stars that be-
deck the aerial heavens above.
The next morning Florence
dressed herself with unusual
care; every thing was arranged
about her toilet to suit the
taste Of Arthur Percy, and she
never looked more beautiful in
all her life than on this particu-
lar morning; and Arthur was
half inclined to love her after
all; but when Minnie Lansing
made her appearance and took
her accustomed seat in the
choir, the thought of his loving
Florence fed.
The convention continued to
meet day after day, and when
it came to a final close, Min
ME Lansing was the betrothed
of Arthur Percy, much to the
displeasure Of the beautiful
Rival Cousin, Florence Crow
der, When the parting came,
Arthur pressed a kiss upon the
fair brow of Minnie, and said
lovingly, when / return again
to your beautiful home, | shall
claim my bride.
And thus it was, when the
earliest of frosts had come and
autumn was putting on her
saddest of CARDS, Arthur was
true to his word; and there in
the rustic church where they
had met and loved, they were
united for eternity, either for
the one or the other.
What lovely pair as they
stood at the altar; how noble
Arthur looked; his raven locks
brushed back from his broad
and noble brow, and his splen-