The Van Buren press., 1873-04-29
MISCELLANY.
Proving Her Friends.
BY FRANCES HENsuAW BADEN.

"Who is that girl that has just passed
Miller Her face is very familiar. Ant
| really believe sho knew either you q
me; for although she did not look to
ward us, noticed the color deepen oil
her face, which is very sweet and pretty
Where have | seen herr
"Come on, Annie. declare, you ar
forever publishing the tact of your being
"a young girl from the country 1t il
drsadfuly rude and vul gar to turn rounC
and stand staring after any one Dc
come There is Mrs. st. John. l woulC
not have her see you acting so IN The
street for anything" answered Mille
walking on, leaving her friend still stand
ing gazing after the retreating form which
had puzzled her Another call from Nil
ie brought her along, and saying
"Who is Mrs St John? I'm sure
don't care q snap for her. But do want
to remember where I've known that
young girl. I've mind new to take af-
ter her, and find out
"You must not | would not have
Mrs. St john" began Mile.
"Oh, pshaw! Mrs St Fiddlestick
What do ! care for her? l don't know
her, and don't want TO- Dear me, how
that girls face bothers me Don't you
know anything of her, Mllie ?"
"Yes and to stop you before Mrs. st
John comes up to speak to US, will tell
You. Don't you remember, five years
ago, when you spent the Christmas yaca-
ton with me, the little blonde that lived
next door, and used to be quite fond
off,"
WHAT Flory Courtland' You can
not mean her."
"Yes, that was Florence Courtland "
Then why on earth did dyou not speak
to her ?" Annie asked, with great sur
prise manifested in her lock and tone.
"Oh-why-Well, you know all my
friends are very aristocratic, and if any
ona Of them should see me speaking TO
Florence, they would wonder so at it.
And Of course could not very well en-
ter into am explanation OF what her fami-
" used to be; so thought it better no,
to recognize her And
"What is the matter with her? What
has she done = Annie asked.
"Oh, she has done nothing wrong. Ol
course not | thought you knew how
very much they were reduced. At the
time You met her, rumor said her father
had lost nearly everything. But
he managed to keep up pretty good ap.
pearance until he died, about four years
ago Then everything was seized by
creditors Flory had to leave school,
and go to work to help support the fam
ily. She has brother two years older
they are both in Blacks. ! used to
deal there; but after Florence was
employed by them ceased going, 1t
was SO very embarrassing. Wo were so
very intimate at one time But Of course
one has to drop acquaintances some
times. Why are you staring At mo so,
Annie. I'm sure il does not improve
your appearance to open your eyes SO
wide.
"Millic Morton, did not think You
were so heartoss wish l had known
that was Florence CORTLAND. Dear girl
| shall certainly go to Blacks to see her,
before leave town.
"Indeed hope you will not, Annie.
In fact must insist, that while my guest
you will not attempt
Z" Do stop this nonsense, Millie, know
just what you are going to say, and !
don't care a straw for your aristocratic
friends. Perhaps the time may come
when you may deem it advisable to drop
me. had better prepare myself for it.
Five years ago l should have thought il
Just as probable, as your ever ceasing to
visit and be friendly with Flory Court
land. Now you may like it or not, but l
am going this very afternoon to call on
her; though can not invite her to visit
me while in town, perhaps | can in
duee her to come to me next summer. F."
"Annie, Annie you surely are not in
earnest ?" exclaimed Milie.
"lndeed ! am. | shall try and make
some amends for the cruelty Of her form
cr friends, re,urDed Annie.
Before Mile could entor another pro.
test, her friend Mrs. St John came up,
much to Miles annoyance.
Annie, after being presented to that la-
dy, begged to be excused and left them.
Where she went, Mile knew that eve.
ming, when. in the midst of half dozen
Of her aristocratic friends, Annie asked
of young gentleman near:
"Do you not remember that lovely lit
tie blonde, Flory Ceurtland She was
in a tabloau with you and me, five years
ago.
"Indced | do, - he answered adding,
" and have often wondered what had be
come Of her Howard De We're inquiries
concerning hor every time we meet
which is not often, however. You know
he has just returned from India We
thought sometimes he was very deeply
interested in Flory-Mss Courtland, /
suppose | should say. She must be
quite young lady now"
Oh, yes, and very lovely one But
she is not as beautiful as | thought she
would be She Is pale, and looks sad.
But hope VIC shall be able to win the
roses back to her cheeks She has prom
ised to visit me the coming summer, y
answered Annie, glancing across to where