Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1870-06-22
Written for the URBAEA UNION
THE FORTUNES OF
FLORA ST. JOHN,
A TALE OF VICISSITUDES,
BY MRS. ANNA WILLS PRICE.
CHAPTER VII.

A MORE inclement winter, had been
rarely remembered by the oldest settlers
of Penway. Flora enjoyed the long in
vigorating sleigh rides, and with Aurelius
as a driver and companion wiled away
many an hour in visiting different IOcali-
ties around them. She had taken a
great interest in Reel from the first, and
spent all her hours of leisure in instruct
ing him. He had a taste for books and
there was soon a marked change in his
appearance and manners. Flora would
not allow him to continue his avOca-
tion as a day Iaborer. I have enough
for the present she said, and if Uncle
Charley does not come to look after us,
we will go to work together
Mrs. PettibOne's triumph was complete,
and no Emperor ever took more pride in
a conquest than she did, in introducing
her,niece to the aristocrats ofPenway. In
her good work of regenerating the fami-
ly of her aunt Flora had little time to
waste on the memory of her late lover
Fitz Hugh. Sometimes a spasm of pain
would seize her heart at the recollection
of the hopes SO pitilessly demolished by
the insidious deceiver, but time and ae-
ton wore even them away. I will nev-
er have another lover she thought
Men are too treacherOus.' So she turn
ed her back on the young men of Pen
way, not haughtily, but giving them no
room for hope other favor. She said one
day to Kate. Don't let them come to see
me, tell them anything! that Pm engag-
ed If you will. I can't be so annoy
ed 'Kate circulated some such re-
port, and many an aspiring HOOsier
beau felt his heart sink at the an
nOuncement, for Flora was too beau
tiful and engaging to be passed by
with Indifference. After a few weeks,
she deemed it a duty to inform Mrs. st.
John of her whereabouts. She wrote
describing infinitely the position of her
self and those she had befriended, beg
ging to know the instant of her Uncle's
arrival from England. With warm ex-
pressiOns of regard for her beloved cOus-
in, she closed without referring to the
Unprincipled conduct of Fitz Hugh or
the sister of Mrs. st. John. A few brief
lines, sent in answer by ArabelIa we will
tTanscribe.
Mss 81. John.
Your unparalleled effrontery in dar-
ing to address me, after your shameful
fight from your Uncle's house, merits
severe punishment. Capt. st. John will
not return perhaps for months yet, and
I am sure your conduct will dispIease
him. As to those creatures, you call re-
latiOBs, rest assured that I have no de-
sire to know them. You have forever
forfeited my esteem and the love and
confidence of your cousin, who is deeply
grieved with your behavior. Expect
neither money or favor from me.
Your offended Aunt,
ARABELLA ST. JOHN.
Hey day exclaimed Mother Pettibone
as Flora, handed her the missive. Pret-
ty airs indeed for miIliner's gal to put
on! he! he! think we'd be coming
down to know her. Creatures indeed :
he! he
"I dinna waste my mind on her un-
canny ways, said Katrine turning to the
old lady. Ye're poor soul, it's true,
but what time I've kenned We. I've
seen no mean act in ye. Dinna mind
it!'
Katrine had attended Flora in all her
purchases for the family. In looking to
the future every cent had been made to
tell and half of their means had made
the great change. But Flora had deter
mined not to leave her work half finish
ed and she sought to beautify the out
side as well, of the old tenement which
was surrounded by fine large shade
trees. By some magic unknown to any
one but herself, she had brought out a
love of flowers in poor Meg. She en- !
pIoyed a gardener and had a flower gar
den laid off at a moderate price, and af- |
ter visiting public conservatory in the
neighbOrhoOd, returned with quantity |
of shrubbery and pot flowers. Meg was
called from her accustomed corner, and |
Flora led her into the garden saying
'These diamond and star shaped beds
are yours to tend and keep as you please.
Here are the verbenas, migronette, fus-
chias which the gardener has brought
in these little crooks for you to trans
plant. Let me show you how to get
them out without disturbing the earth.
Here are the bulbs, tulips, hyacinth &c,
and here are flower seed, china pinks,
&c, all of which will fill
your beds nicely. I have spent twenty |
dve dollars to make you happy, and if