The Van Buren press., 1875-11-09
MISCELLANY
Loves Transformation

Ernest Courtney in dressing gown and
slippers, sat thinking-thlnking deeply.
Although but eight-and- twenty years had
passed over him, his face wore a restless,
tired look, AS though he had no sim, no
end, no interest in life. In shert, he
seemed TO be remarkably handsome
gentleman of fashion, whom wealth, fiat
terry and ease had spoiled for all the ear
nest purposes of existence.
By-and-by he arose.
Il have decided" he said, as he extin-
gushed his light, must marry the heir
ess who is coming here to morrow" And
with light laugh, and u curl of his hand
some lip, as though he scornsd himself
for his resolution, he betook himself to
his slumbers,
Ernest Courtney was the son of a
small farmer. Whcna mere child he had
been adopted by wealthy uncle, and ret
moved to the city, where he was taugh
to consider his unclc's wealth his own,
and where every wish was gratided as
soon as formed. No wonder that the
manly energy which distinguished his
brothers, and which might have been his
under other circumstances, had been un-
dermined and almost effaced from his
character.
A few years before the opening of our
story, his uncle had tried to force him
into a marriage which was, in every way,
distasteful to him A quarrel ensuea,
and the nephew was dsnherited. lie
would doubtless have been restored to
favor III time, but his uncle suddenly dy-
ing, he WAS left with a very small legacy,
and very expensive tastes and habits, dis
appointed aud aimless His friends
and he had many, for he eonversed bril-
iiantly, was well educated and generous
we're unanimous II tAe 4os. s2glnlon that i
do and be anything he chose. But as yet
when the most energetic among them
tried to STIR him up to action and to help
him in the way of wealth and eminence
he only said, +" 1t is too late now; have
neither the strength nor inclination to
build up a fortune" throwing all the
blame of his indoence upon his cduca
ton. SO at last, they left him to nurse
lis white hands and his disappointment
in peace.
Do not think him elfeminate or utterly
r worthless. Remember, he had been taugh
! to consider himself the heir to certain
vast wealth, and to look upon all labor
whether Of hand or brain, as unnecessa
ry; had been flattcred and petted, and, a,
l have said, apparently utterly spoilec
for any other condition in life.
No, although not possessed Of an in
come to enable him to make what be con
sidercd respectable appearance in socie
ty, vet he never ceased to be favoritt
with the ladies of the highest circles fo
his chvalry, his tenderness, his deep ad
miration for tho other sex, as well as hi.
handsome person and pleasing manner
were irresistible; so far, however. b,
seemed to sh: ink from matrimony, al
though he knew that many hearts as vel
as fortunes might be his for the asking,
Thus he had lived for nearly two years
inwaraly despising himself for being
content with his poverty, yet having NJ
ambition to improve his condition, when
finding debts slowly but surely accurnu
lating, he had come down to a pleasan
seaside resort, where he resolved t.
choose between marrying money or SC
lecting some method of earning it. III
had been here but few days, when, as i
G fate had decided for him, he heard from
his host that an immensely wealthy aLt
very handsome young orphan had writ
ten to engage rooms in the very hote
where he was stopping, His final re.o
luton has already been told.
A group of men, among whom was Er
nest Courtney, were smoking on the We
randa as the carriage drove up, and from
it alghted lady in the most stylish o
travelling costumes, followed by slen
der figure also tastefully but more quietl,
arrayed Ernest glanced up eagerly, a
the first ascendcd the steps, and caught .
glimpse of pair of brilliant dark eyes
rich complexion, altogether hand
some face, and resolved to WOO and VIII
her if possible.
That evening there was hop at TIN
hotel. The newly arrived had not ap
peared ct dinner, but in the course Of th
evening, Ernest, who had been watching
for her, saw the dark beauty in a larg
recess, already surrounded by admirers
and talking with ANIMATION. lie sough
an introduction, and was received as gra
ciously as heart could wish. She begal
a pleasant chat with him, and Ernest con
graduated himself that he was making
favorable impression. Presently she tur
! ned to Il lady who stood at little dis
tance, and called " Alice!' softly Tn
lady turned. and the dark-e eyed Miss In
gersol presented her as My cousin
Miss Haywood"
And Ernest bowed but his delighted
eyes rested upon the sweetest face b
thought he had ever seen. A pair o
deep, half mournful blue eyes, looked a
him from beneath their white. droopin!
lids, fringed with long, brown lashes. |
was indeed beautiful face, gloritied b.
the wondrous eyes and the shiny wave
of dark brown hair above the pale, pur
forehead. The slender form was clad il
some white, gosssmer fabric, and he