Middletown transcript., 1871-03-25

suUcr WurtyIuoh.
And f--your humble scrvant---was
the plaincst Of them all. My form. my
dark grey eyes, and my abundant glossy
chestnut hair, were all the attractions |
had to boast Of. But my fathers broad
acres made up what was wanting in my
personal appearance, and, perhaps drew
more admirers to my feet than beauty
alone could have done.
Lucy and ! had spent n vacation with
each Of our associates. and now that the
grand holidays had come. when we could
throw aside musty books forever, and bid
last adieu to the old prison walls, We re-
solved to carry Fan aud BERTHE of home
with us, to stay until Christmas, at the
shortest calculation. After some dcmur-
ing on their part, they finally agreed to
our plan, BERTHE going with Lucy, aud
Fannie with me. But, as usual, We were
all together, and mostly roaming over
some part Of belmont Grangc--my home
where our visitors could ever find some
thing new and amusing. My father. too
devoted himself to our entertainment
With Harry Nevin, ,--Lucy's brother. and
Berties admirer George Bcrkley-J.u-
cy's adorcr-and Charles Graham, who
divided his attentions between Fannie and
me, W. passed the summer months de-
lightfully But the most attractive fea-
turc of all ,liut pleasant season--to me, at
lcast-was Philip Dunbar. lie was max
ing tour through the n England
States, aud while stopping at the town Of
". which was but short walk from
our home. George Berkeley became ac-
quainted with him, and brought him out
TO belmont Grange, How well do | re-
collect the evening he was introduced to
our merry circle George had described
his appearance to MS in what We consider
ed n very highly co!1red light, and warned
us to be very careful of our hearts: but
we assured him they were iron-clad, and
consequently proof against Cupid's most
powerful assaults in that direction. But
We were totally unprcparcd after all for
the fascinating power Of the stranger, aud
George little thought that he had onrriod
the knife which was destined to cut his
own throat at last.
It is impossible to describe Mr.. Dun
BARI wonderful beauty cannot even
now tell wherein il chiefly lay whether
in the jc.,y curls, the high, lofty brow the
massive chest, the heavy dark beard, the
full red lips. with the white pearls ever
peeping between. or In the large deep,
iathonlcss eyes, that seemed to penetrate
straight to the bottom Of ones heart q tha
first glance With graceful bow he nc.
knowledged the introduction, aud through
politeness to me, the hostess, sat down
beside me, aud entertained me with va.
rious interesting topics. For an honr or
more | was spcll-bound by his great con.
yersational powers, forgetting everybody
else around me. When | recovered my
senses little, found all SO ! in the
room that could almost hear the quick.
heavy throbhings Of my own heart. whose
depths were stirred a. they hal never been
before. ] looked around me half timilly,
half uneas,ly, 10 see what had become Of
the others. Berthe and Harry were in
one corner, bending silently over sheet
of music Fannie in another. beating
nervous, but almost inauiihle tattoo with
her foot, aud yawnng slccpily at the san.c
time Charlie was sitting at the window.
gazing quietly out into the moon light
night; Lueys eyes were fixed eagerly.
intently upon the strangers and George
with an expression Of sorrow and annoy
ance upon his frank open countcnance,
was looking at her
Bcholding the state Of affairs. and think
ing Of my inhospiiality, arose with
flushed face, and begging him to excuse
my impoliteness. asked him to allow me
to present him to some u my friends. He
offered me his arm with n graceful bow,
and We walked leisurely across ,hc room
TO where Fannie was sitting. nnu then to
Bcr,ic's corner lie talked a few mo-
mcnts with each, still keeping my hand
gently, but firmly within his arm, aud
then ! lead him to where Lucy and George
were now conycrsing in low tone. There
l left him aud went over to the window
to mako some light remark to Charlie.
Presently he arose aud bade US all good
night, apologizing for trespassing so long
upon our time, but attributing il all to
our pleasant society. which had had I'm
irresistible charm for him.
Aiter that he became frequent visitor
At our house. for he seemed 10 have for
gotten his travels altogether. For while
be devoted bis attentions equally among
Us girls; but it soon became apparent that
Lucy was his choice. aud 1t was equally
plain that he would have little trouble in
winning her. Fannie yielded him up with
quiet nonchnlance. saying " there we're
plenty more ish in the sea as good as he,
aud she would rs soon firt with Charlie
q while ~ any body. for she hadn't the
slightest idea Of marrying until shc was
too old to waltz and polka. and too feeble
to 6ght her own battles in the world"
Berthe had been true to Harry from the
beginning. and so found it no hardship to
to be deprived Of Mr.. Dunbar attentions.
But I--oh. the struggle was bitter indeed
with me! That mask Of Indifference was
lorturing to wear, when the 6res Of jeal.
ousy and unrequited lo,c were burning SO
Iicscsly 10 my soul. But I saw thcrc was
-