The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-04-27

AS the pretty niece and probable
heiress of a wealthy man, Fanny might
have commanded a pace in the first
circles OF the city. Her own simple
taste, and her Uncle's quiet bachelor
habits, like prevented and ut the time
of which we write, her circle of ac-
quainrance was somewhat limited
She sat now thonshtfully considering
her Uncle's questions, until her decis-
ion was taken.
The next morning saw her in close
consultation with the fashionable dress
maker of whom she had procured her
own city outfit, which Uncle Johns
liberality had made very expensive
one. Without revealing her object,
she yet obtained all needed informa-
tic n in carrying out her plans. For as
Madame D. remarked:
"These wealthy young ladies have
so many whims!- but then they have
nothing else to do!'
Early one bright morning after, a
very plain but neatly dressed young
lady appeared ut the residence Of Mrs.
Melville, and timidly announced her
self as being the seamstress whom
Madame D. had sent from her +stab-
| lisliment.
| Seated. in the little sewing-room,
Fanny had plenty of leisure tn repent
her temerity, and consider the chances
IF detection during the day of .diligent
labor which followed.
She was, perhaps, more than COM
pensated by hearing from Albert's sis
ter that the dress she was making was
to be worn at his approaching mar
riage with the wealthy Miss Fitznoo-
die, and heiress in her own right, and
one of the bellies of the city.
''AlSert has been paying attention to
her for "a long time," said the young
girf, quite delighted with the respect
full silence OF her listener; ''she never
give her consent, however, until last
week, and now we are hnrrying the
thing up, for Albert has seemed quite
fascinated with listle country girl he
met somewhere recently. / have new
er seen her, but her prospects are not
near SD good as those of Adj" Fitznco-
die. Ada's fortune is all in her own
right, while Miss Roberts is entirely
dependent upon the will OF her uncle.
So as Albert is afraid the old gentle
man don't like him very well, he has
concluded that ga bird in the hand is
worth two in the bush !"
The lively talker was called away l,y
visitors, leaving Fanny plenty of time
to reflect upon what she had heard
and to remember that the free bird in
bush was much happier than the one
caught in such a snare.
She dreaded tie dinner hour. II
asked down into the family dining
room, what excuse would she give p
She would be too busy, size was really
not hungry, and could truthfully plead
u headache. She was relieved from
all such fears, however, by the servant
approaching with a lunch, which wa.
served upon the little work table i,
the midst of her sew ng materials. TIL,
Melvilles were altogether too geptee
to admit seamstrcss to their own ia
BILE, and Fanny was to" lady like il
her appearance, even though plainl.
dressed as she now was, to be asked tt
eat with the servants.
1t was long day to Fanny; and sl,
|, felt inexpressibly relieved when, llav
ing taken her own quiet observation
, OH the habits and manners of the tami
ly, and the relations thereto Gifts hope
;, full, straw hat and thick vail to de
part.
4 AS she passed down the steps sh
t encountered Albert Melville, IN earn
y est conversation with one whose M
t pearance was anything but PROPOSES
u sing. There was no fear of recogni
s ton i'm her plain dark dress, and cf6s
n veil, so she walked quietly mp tn
: street, and as she did so overheard til
II words.
e. "Yon shall have yonr money, Smitl
q as soon as that little affair comes of
u II my creditors only knew what / a,
:. sacrificing for them, they would wa
u patiently he added in an underton
: of bitterness, and then the speaker
II were out of hearing.
. Fanny rather flew than walked, NJ
- til she reached her own room, fro
'e which she emerged in a w0nderfi
!" short space of time completely tran
formed in attire, to be enc of Il
. brightest ornaments of her Uncle
y tlrawing-room.
:, 1t was several days before she h;
= the opportunity for another expel
ment.
ID Mrs. Grey and her daughter usual
did their own dressnlaking. A Dire
II was to be fitted however, for gre