The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-04-08
MisrelIaneOns SeIertipns
THE UNEXPECTED RIVAL.
By KATE CLAIR.

Brightly glowed the fire in the
polished CRATE, and brilliant flashed
the light from a dozen gas jets,
throwing through crimsoned curtain
ed windows a rich glow upon the
snow-covered pavement wi .hout;
speaking to the weary-hearted,
toil-worn children of poverty, pass
| ing by their cheerless home, of
warmth and comfort and blessing
which might never be theirs.
Within that curtained room, where
naught seemed wanting of beauty or
luxury, young girl stood behind
the drapery, gazing out into the
stormy night, and tapping her little
foot impqtiently on the floor, while
an expression Of angry discomfort
shadowed a face perfect i'll its out
line and coloring, marring sadly it's
otherwise exquisite loveliness.
The snow fell thick and fast, and
but few pedestrians we're abroad !;
none but those who were compelled
by necessity to brave the chilling
blast and the binding storm.
Suddenly, with gesture of vexa-
tion and disappointment, she dashed
the folds of crimson, and advanced
to the fireside, exclaiming;
1t is provoking intolerably provok
| ling. Here l have been watching for
that girl one hour. What does she
mean by this delay? 1 shall be rag.
ing if l am disappointed of my dress
this evening of all others.
"Why surely, Ella, you are not
going out in this tempest?" said a
lnoble-looking silver haired man
who entered the room just in time to
catch her words.
"Indeed, but 1 am, Guardy. Doc
tor Geo. B. Hunter, is coming for me
to go Mrs. Eirston's ball, and
would not miss it for the world. 1
am determined to crown me reign
ing belle of the season, by bringing
him to my feet, if possible, before
another day daWns. He is the best
match in the city, and l mean to Sc
cure him at once. The girls are era
zy about him, and long to triumph
over them.
"Yon speak confidently" said Mr..
Revere, $50 I shall expect to wake
up in the small hours Of the morning
with tidings Of success"
Turn we now to another home,
the abode of poverty, where Mary
Grey, the young seamstress, is ben
ding over work, a richly embroider-
ed dress, whose silver lilies of the
valley, with richly tinted blue bells,
are artistically wrought in graceful
patterns on q ground work of white
silk. 1t is the dress for which the
beautiful heiress is waiting-the
dress in which she is expected TO
capture the best match in the city.
Very lovely is Mary Grey, though
no rose bud tiut blooms on the pure
white Of her complexion-though
her glorious eyes, shaded by long
silken lashes, are dimmed with watch
ling and tears. Her fingers fly MIN
IDLY over her task nearly completed,
the payment for which is to bring
needy supplies to those who for two
days scarcely tasted food-her inva-
lid mother and little sister Lucy,
who is now nesting at her feet, cry
ins with hunger. The work is COM
Ipleted at last, and Mary drawing the
child TO her sides says soothingly;
Hush darling, hush sister is
going to take home the dress and
bring you a nice little feast. Twen-
ty-five dollars we'll have for this,
won't we be rich my pet
Tears filled her eyes, but she
brushed them hastily away, as a well
known rap at the door was heard,
followed by the entrance ofan elegant
looking man; who, holding out his
hand to Mary, said pleasantly;
Il am earlier than usual this eve
ming, hut am obliged to escort a
fair lady to ball at 10 o'clock, and
thought l Iwould look in on my pa
tient before making my toilet"
"Oh, Doctor how can / thank you
for your kindness?" said Mary, rails
ing her sparkling eyes to his face,
but dropping them again instantly
as she met the warm gaze of admir-
alton in his. while crimson bushes
frightened her face into new beauty
"AIother is worse, l fear, said
Mary. She seems quite exhausted
this evening"
''Has she had proper nourishment
to-dayr'
Mamma has had nothing to eat
to-day, DOCTOR" broke in Lucy, and
sister and l hav'nt had anything
either but dry bread, and we are very
hungry, but sister is going to get
some money tonight"
"Hush! Lucy" said Mary, while a
painful look of embarrassment fell
upon her before bright countenance.
"docter excuse her, she talks too
fast"
An anxious inquiring gaze rested