Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1869-11-03

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and cared only for that which cOntribut.
ed to her pleasure and happiness.
This memorable night she stood be-
fore her mirror, radiant in jewels and
laces, smiling cOmplacently at the i'm
age there reflected. She had heard Of
Ned's return and of his attentions to
Alice Brownfield, and determined to
bring him to her feet. As she gazed on
her own beautiful person in the glass she
felt little doubt of gaining his affection.
She was transcendentlyb beautiful, while
Alice was only good looking, compara-
lively speaking; she was rich-AIice
was poor, and then she sOlilOquized. ]
can be q very angel when try, l will
never allow him to see my temper ruff
hed-welI, think the chances are i'll
my favOr-T'I be mistress of that villa
yet.
With what different emotions did gen.
tie Alice BrOwnfield array herself in heI
simple white muslin; her gems were ma
ture's sown beautiful and fragrant flowers,
twined in the rich braids of her golden
hair; while her countenance beamed
with youth and innocence, and happy
anticipations, as she waited in her mo,
theirs sitting room for Ned Clsyland
who had engaged to be her escort to the
brilliant scene of pleasure.
As they entered the gay assemblage
Fannie Ray, flushed and triumphant
received them with the grace and bear,
ing of finished lady of fashion. Ned
was perfectly amazed at her transcend.
ent Ioveliness; if in the afternoon he
had been fascinated, that night he was
entranced. She greeted him with q
smile which almost took the poor fellows
senses away.
"AlIow me-" said she, to congratu.
late you on your safe return home; and
I do sincerely hope, she continued, that
our little village may not become tire.
some and dull to you, after the delights
of Paris and the combined attractions OF
the Old World and the New"
"The attractions of both the Old
World and the New mustfalI into insig-
nificance in the presence of the Queen
of Beauty" exclaimed Ned, with looks
of undfsguised admiration.
ga truce to compliments, Monsieur
CIayland, or we will not be friends"
"Excuse me, Miss Fannie" said a
exquisite, approaching them, the cOtiI-
lions are forming and the first set is
mine.U
"And the second set is mine" ex-
claimed Ned. She nodded assent as she
was led away, very sorely vexed and
disappointed that as Ned came with AL
ice, he was in etiquette bound to dance
the first set with her; 'but once amt al
ways she thought.
Ned was her most devoted cavalier for
the evening, watching narrowly every
motion and turn Of her countenance.-
Her whole energy was bent to eclipse
Alice BrOwnfeld, who was the only riv-
al she feared, in his estimation.
"Alice is such nice girl" she said,
don't you think so, Mr.. CIayland%
~ admire Miss Alice, very much, I"
he answered.
''DO you know, Mr.. CIayland, she is
a great favorite with all the gentlemen?
when the heregimentwas stationed here the
soldiers all seemed to be in love with
her. Lieutenant Gray was almost her
shadOw-we girls used to joke Alice
about wearing him to shadow. never
saw man so devoted in my life-be-
ieve they correspond now"
Ned's cOuntenance became very seri-
Gus as she told this tale which was true
to the letter. Lieutenant Gray, a very
handsome and attractive officer had fall
len in love with Alice at first sight, and
had seriously addressed her, as her at
tention and services to his sick soldiers
had convinced him she was as good as
beautiful but Alice rejected him decid-
edly, and at the same time so kindly as
to make friend of him for life. They
did correspond and he in his last epistle
informed her of his engagement to
lovely Southern girl. Fannyknew this,
but she had, tried all her arts on the young
Lieutenant herself and had never for
given Alice for depriving her of an adj
mirer, besides she knew the sUrest way
to deprive her of Ned's esteem, would
be to convince him she was a cOquette.
Fannie quickly noticed his detection
and exclaimed with well feined artless-
ness:
"Oh, Mr.. Clayiand, am 50 sorry you
don't like the round dances"
"Inever dance them," said Ned, 81
dislike waltZing very much.
Supper was announced and Ned was
compelled to leave Miss Fannie and at-
tend to Alice, but very soon after their
return to the ball room, the bright eyes
of Fannie Iured him again to her side
and he apparently forgot all else in the
wide world while contemplating her
wonderful beauty and 'witching grace.
Alice did not lack for attention, but
towards the close OF the evening, she
withdrew herself to secluded corner,
and sat seemingly in deep meditation
seeing her alone thought now Is
my time.