Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-07-26
Vol. 66.-33SO. No. 40.

the day before the ball that she should expect
her to favor the company with singing Not
that she anticipated any lack Of musical char
acters. On the contrary, she expected quito
as many as It would be convenient to give an
opportunity of showing Of at her piano. Bot
Edie's singing would be something new. Her
simple, unaffected manner, and her lack Of
operate airs, could not fail to please the more
intelligent guests Elie put the best face on
the matter possible. Her limited wardrobe
did not permit her to waste much time in Sc.
Letting what she should wear.
We will take one glance at her as she
stands in front Of her mirror before descend.
ing to the parlors, which were already begin
ming to be crowded Her dress is plain
white, without ornaments Of any kind her
rich brown hair was fastened in heavy coils.
A wreath Of myrtle was tastefully arranged
around the shapey head. Eyes of the same rich
brown as the hair-one need only to look in.
to them to read there energy, aud will to
succeed in all her undertaking. The rich
bloom Of health mantled her cheeks, and al.
together she formed lovely picture TO care
upon. At least, many seemed to think so
that evening as, seated at the piano, her clear
fall voice seemed to fl every part of the
lofty room. Every murmur Of conversation
was hushed, and all listened with an eageruess
that showed Mrs. Howard had judged rightly
when she thought Edie's singing would add
to the pleasures Of the evening. Several
times she half rose from the piano, but was
as often yehemently urged to sing " just once
more !" and Edie half forgot her critical au.
dience, aud played and sang with as much
GOODNESS and self.possession as if she had been
in her own home, singing for the pleasure Of
her loved friends. When at last she left the
piano, murmurs of admiration were heard in
many parts of the room.
In the further part of the parlor was
distinguished looking man of about twenty.
five-rather taller than the average, with
black, piercing eyes, that seemed to read your
inmost thoughts at glance Around a
broad, white forehead, clustered wealth Of
short, jetty curls. The face, but for the
firm, hard lines, might have been called wo.
manly. When Edie had finished her singing,
and the hum Of conversation had again began.
his eyes followed her with a half surprised,
half pleased look. His survey of Edie must
have been quite lengthy-at least the stately
blonde by his side seemed to think so-for,
after several little demonstrations Of impa.
tience, which we're entirely unnoticed by that
absent.mnded young man, she said, rather
petulantly,-" Pray Mr.. Howard, are you
trying to stare Miss Carlton out Of counte-
nance ~ Phil Howard-for such was his
name-started quickly, and apologized to his
fair companion but her vanity was piqued
that Yankee govcrness should ever for a
moment have caused her presence to have
been forgotten, and she determined to punish
him for his rudenes "Mr. Howard" she con.
tinued, in low, scornfn voice, shave you any
idea who the person is, upon whom you have
just now bestowed SO much admiration p
Howard replied that he never had the honor
of seeing her before as he had arrived at
home only late that evening, and as yet had
been so much pleased with old acquaintance
he had not thought of forming new ones.
Miss Clair pretended not to notice the
implied compliment but went on" Then
, warn you not to waste your admiration on
| Miss Carlton, for she is your mothers gov
erness, and understand that she is perfectly
. fitted for the situation. So presume your
mother would object to your falling in love
= with one of the servants, as it might have 4
,. tendency to make them forget their place"
o Howard flushed hoty for an instant, anC
8 even Miss Clair thought she might have gcn'
o little too far, when she noticed the fash o
$ the dark eyes but he quickly recovered hi
c composure, and said, somewhat coldly, I" Mis-
e Clair, think you are rather hasty in you
IS remarks; but | see they are forming for
1t dance, and beg that you will favor me wit
Is your hand for this set"
ID They were soon moving lightly in tn
h mazes of the dance. Edis watched the fair
E. forms, fitting lightly about, until he
g head began to whirl, and she was about I
10 retire to her room, when voice At her aid
N pronounced her name. Edie quietly shoe
n hands with Mr.. Cranky, gentleman tbs
t. she had often met at the Howards since b,
g, stop with them. He asked Edie to favor hi
tie with her hand for the next dance, but 81
ut Informed him that dancing was not one Of hi
'n accomplishments Mr.. Cranky looked slight
g, disappointed, but said" 1t is dizzy wor
Is watching others trip the light fantastic foot
to will you please accept my arm for walk
m Edie complied without any hesitation, ar
the two were soon enjoying one Of the mo
er beautiful of even southern nights,
IS The moon, now at its full, threw a sol
ID mellow light over the earth, making objec
re as distinctly visible as at midday. Th'
70 wandered about among the beautiful walks
lHc SdIhCu eSAhh hhtt .A1 ~ ishS
w. paused before the summer house. Dir, Granl
VIC proposed that they should rest for fe
moments upon one of the benches, but at th
as moment they became conscious of the Presen
be of others, and glancing into the summer hous
at Edie saw tall, graceful stranger, bending
u catch the low spoken words of Miss Clai
tn She needed not to be told that this elegal
's' stranger was Phil Howard, for the portra
IT. of him that hung in one of the parlors was
lie correct likeness. Rapid as was Edie's glanc
he she could not help Noticing the scornfnl loc
in of Miss Clair as it rested on her face. Ed
by walked on rapidly to the house, and biddiI
Mr. CRANKY good night, Immediately retire
GO to her own room. ... b-.
A. 1t was late the next morning before th
nd family made their appearance Ed's foun'
- a., aolaavor,ns, - .;sa that sha Waa Al " aa