The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-02-12

ouTfeyou WIFI pledSuTe ner Snln10p treSSesi
the rich flow of her silken robe, the lace that
shaded her mili-white neck. She thought,
not without interest, of the probable effect
of this toilet upon Roderick. Lingering be.
fore the glass she now adjusted pin, lifted
a braid triae, or smoothed down rebell-
ious fold. Seeing it all, you would in one
breath have exclaimed at her vanity, and,
with the next, admitted that it would be
strange if SO exquisite creature did not en-
Joy the spectacle of her own beauty.
In high good humor at last she went down
stairs. Tea was just on the table, her father
aud brother about to seat themselves.
Seems to me Elsie, said the latter,
boy of seventeen, just beginning to be criti-
cal in feminine attire-"that you are got up
in great style tonight. What's on hand?-
ANY of your beaux going to happen in this
EVENING"
''No one is coming that 1 am aware of,
replied Elsie with dignity. ''Is it SO very
unusual for me to be respectfully dressedr'
'Oh you needn't tell MEr said the acute
youth. THAT blue silk wasn't put on for
nothing. say, Elsie" he added, viewing
her with admiration, 'you know what suits
you, if you ARE my sister. Blue is devilish
becoming to your style"
Frederick" said Mr.. Moncrift, reprov-
ingly.
beg pardon, father" replied the son,
with depreciating wave OF the hnca. II
always mean to respect the society of ladies,
but man sometimes forgets himself, you
know. Clara, my dear, another cup of your
good tea, if you please. These biscuit are
capital; made 'em yourself, did you? You
are jewel, and shall keep my house when l
have one. But Elsie" returning to the at
tack, ''you mean to finish off Dexters bust.
ness for him tonight, suppose?'
Erred, you are too absurd" replied his
sister, coloring.
Judging from Mr.. Dexter's own appear
ance," remarked the father, II should say
that any special cares in dress would be a
waste of ammunition"
Don't you believe it," said Fred, admon-
ishingy "These solemn fellows have eyes
in their heads; l know them of old. They
60 about as if they hadn't thought for any
thing but science; but they manage to pick
up the prettiest girls in town for wives
watch them, and see if they don't. About
this one Miss Elsie, advise you to nail him
at once or you may loose the chance. There's
young lady come to stay at Mrs. Barlow's
where he boards; niece, l believe. l saw
her getting out of the stage this afternoon.
| tell you she's stunner Eyes as black as
beads and figure like Di Vermont
Elses spirits fell a little at this intelli-
gence, nor did they rally as an hour or two
passed by without the familiar ring. She
fancied that her fathers smile, as he looked
mp from his newspaper was significant and
at'rical. She took her worsteds and crotch
eted industrously determined to appear as
unconcerned as possible; but her interest
tagged, her mind WOULD wander away to
Mrs. Barlow's parlor, and immagine the Di
Vernon niece usurping Roderick's attention
No donbt she would make set at him at
once! Elsie could tell from Frederick's de-
scription just the sort of person that she
was. Very dashing, very forward-these
black-eyed girls always were-ready to help
along quiet young man like Roderick.-
Well SHE should never put herself out to
court any one; if man hadn't spirits enough
to take his own part she shouldn't assist him.
Strange that any one could be SO silly, so
easily inveigled! Indignation against the
niece's arts and Roderck's stupidity were
about eaqually mingled in her mind. In the
midst of these uncomfortable musings the
door-bell sounded its welcome peal and
Elses face frightened as Mr.. Torrington
came in.
Clara looked with decided disapproval on
the scene which ensued. Roderick's defec
his rival. She was never lively even in her
best spirits; lveliuess would have been fore
ed, spasmodic, basdes her gentle, subdued
gayety; her manner produced an impression
of softness, of amiability, far more winning
than the sallies of the most vivacious. Ned
Torrington felt its charm. He had hirted
with Elsie hitherto for the pleasantness of
the pastime, but tonight he began to look
at the thing more seriously. lie wondered
if that salary which just kept him along in
comfort could by any possibility be made to
serve the wants of two, or if there were any
way of enlarging it, How the fellows at his
boarding house would stare when he present
ed such beauty to them as his wife! But
that was long way off yet, though Elsie's
smiles and kindness seemed to say that the
dream was not hopeless one.
At the death of her mother, some eight
years previous to the opening of our story,
the charge of the family had devolyed on
Clara Moucrief Though but girl Of four
teen she devoted herself with preserving en-
ergy to its duties, and, as her father had re-
NAMED widower, was now long habituated
to her position. In all household ways she
was expert; domestic comfort she could read
lily provide. Elsie alone, her pet and trial,
perplexed and disconcerted her. The differ
ence of five years in their age hardly gave
her authority enough to be respected by her
capricious charge. Often docile, Elsie was
occasionally deaf to reason and defiant OF re-
straint. Her temper was equally fitful, and
Clara sometimes feared that there was really
no solid substance in her character to which
one might appeal to regulate her conduct =
Yet people generally thought her sweet
girl-a little vain, perhaps; but who could
wonder at that? Even her father, finding
his every comfort cared for, did not bethink
him that it was always Clara who attended
to his wants To him Elsie never dared ex-
hibit her caprices, and he esteemed himself a
fortunate parent in possessing SO lovely and
dutiful child. Frederick sometimes pro-
claimed that he was the only person who re-
ally ''saw through" Elsie; every body else
was blinded by her beauty and way she had,
Yet even he, severe critic, was not proof
against this very ''way;" species of charm
that does not consist with beauty or any 9TH
=. l.. e. tna