Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-11-23

lace that had belonged 20 my mother,
together with a pearl necklace. She had
no other ornaments-no rings on the
white, slender fingers, no bracelets on
the rounded. exquisite arm. But, when
she was dressed, and the rich lace ar
ranged Spanish fashion around her, |
thought nothing so dainty or so beauti-
full had ever been seen.
Did think what foil I was to her
radiant loveliness, in my plain, sober
colored dress and pale worn face, worn
with the tears I had shed in the silence
of night for my lost, distant lover, Hugh
Gordon?
Squire Ruthers called for US In his
carriage. He was charmed with ClarIce.
and teased her all the way about the
eonquests she would make, despite the
warnings of his sensible wife. who OBJ
jected that she was too young yet to
think of such nonsense.
The first person | met IN the pretty
ballroom was Lady Horton. Her daugh-
tiers were elaborately attired-they had
sweeping satins and costly jewels, mar
vellous platings and ribbons and laces,
yet the general effect seemed to be heavy
and overweight.
The young baronet was with them,
talking to Adelaide Horton, the young
est, and some thought, the prettier Of
the Riversdale girls. He did not observe
our party at first, but a few minutes
afterwards, when Squire Ruthers led
Clarice up the room. be caught sight of
her, and l shall never forget the startled
expression on his face. He pointed her
( out to Adelaide Horton, and evidently
asked who she was, for that young lady
shrugged her shoulders in a way that
/ implied both Indifference and contempt.
1t did not vex me-my darling triumph
was none the less great. Men looked
with dazzled eyes on her graceful lowell
ness, yet no flush of gratifed vanity
marred the sweet, modest expression of
her face l think her great charm was
that she ignored herself, thinking only
of others
! I heard-and the sound was very
sweet to meow murmurs of admlra-
ton from the gentlemen: | saw how
each one strove to look at her, as at some
beautiful and dainty object Then, after
short interval, Sir Gerald Mayne left
Miss Horizons side, and coming up to
| Squire Ruthers, begged for the honor Of
an introduction to my sister. She did
not look in the least fattered or impress
ed think at that time all men were
alike to her-only useful to dance with.
She bowed to Sir Gerald, and then he
prayed her TO give him the first dance
Mrs. Ruthers started, and l felt rather
surprised; Clarice consented, and theI
turned to look at the fast filing room.
If there be such a thing as love a
first sight, Sir Gerald certainly felt it
He hardly seemed to take his eyes from
her face; he never left her side She
was Indifferent 10 him at first, but The
t sweet eyes frightened. and she talked
to him simply and gaily as child. Sh'
was very fond Of dancing. and he was t
be her partner-that was all the inter
est he had for her just then.
, ! watched her proudly during tn
I dance; she thought very little Of tn
: Baronet and great deal of her step:
When it was over, and l expected 81
Gerald to bring her back, [ saw hir
z lead her down through the long room
+ followed by the admiring and enviou
z glaDees of many eyes. In few minute
0 he returned with Squire Rutbers, an
S Immediately requested an introductio
! to me. He sat down by ny side, ant
IL although speaking to NE, looked eontir
l. ually and earnestly at Clarice He tol
: me that his mother had been preyente
+ from coming to the ball by a severe col
le and then asked how long my sister Ia
le been living at Deep Glen.
While the next dance lasted be s
;! by my side talking Of her; she was b
" sieged with introductions, but for Il
se fourth dance Sir Gerald claimed b
ii again. His admiration was 50 very es
n. dent that I saw several people lookil
ne highly amused Lady Horton, on t
n contrary, looked gloomy as possibl
Id Her daughters evidently solaeed thel
e. selves for their disappointment by spea
Pc ing eontemptuous words of ny darling
When Lady Horton saw Clarice dar
a ing again with Sir Gerald, she came
i'd to me, tanning herself violently. Aft
re exchanging a few words Of greeting. s
We said
ed Miss VIVIAN, you are lady
[ whom [ entertain great respect Hayi
he been your mothers friend also cons
'n- er myself entitled to express ny opini
ace Do you not think your sister far
yes young to be brought into scene l
ly, this !? She seems quite child-only
| for the school room. Take my ADV
"? and keep her back for year or /
ust longer; II is great mistake TO br
very young girls forward 50 soon"
was My sister Is seventeen" / said CT