Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-04-22

the supper
With little nod of farewell, which Sey-
mour returned with polite bow, she went
toward the house. He took her seat and be-
gan to wonder why he had not heard that Mrs
Mortimer had two daughters.
Though I'd never mistake this one for the
dashing beauty. She is hardly pretty. bur-
somehow, she has the most attractive face
ever saw anywhere.
So ran his thoughts until the tea-bell sum-
moned him 70 the dinins-room. Here he met
Miss Lizzie again.
any youngest daughter, Mr.. Bowen said
Mrs. Mortimer, indicating Lizzie with an 10
different nod.
Before Seymour colud speak the young girl
said hastily, Il net Mr. Bowen in the garden
mamma"
And Seymour farcied that there was some
thing of entreaty in her glance toward himself.
1t certainly made him forbear the remark he
was beginning, about having surprised her in
her favorte retreat.
Before many days i; became Seymours re-
treat too. But he did not meet Lizzie there
again, or anywhere else, for that matter, ex-
cept at tie table, where nothing more than
brief word was exchanged.
On Thursday Miss Augusta returned from
the city And as she swept into the room to
he introduced, in a costume which was FAULT
less Mr.. Bowen acknowledged that she was
royal beauty, as far as the outside went, any
way.
But he met 60 many of that sort in bis cir
Gle that il was almost refreshing to turn to the
simple freshness of Lizzie, who could not
make the smallest pretensions 70 "style, or to
the elegant selr-possession which would have
aided Miss Augusta to meet the President
himself with entire coolness, while Lizzie
would have blushed, futtered. aud probably
been unable to speak at all.
After trying to pursue the bellies acquaint-
ance for few days, Mr.. Bowen decided that
she was hardly so well informed upon general
subjects as even his acquaintance had shown
Lizzie to be. But be readily saw that Miss
Mortimers time was fully occupied with
fashionable society and its amusements, while
Lizzie, who seldom trent anywhere except to
church, had time for reading and study.
One evening, about a month after lie went
to Mrs. Mortimers, Mr.. Bowen sought his
retreat in Lizzio's arbor Some whim prompt
ed him to seek the inner seat, and when, short
ly after Lizzie herself came into the arbor,
singing low song as she sat OF her work, he
concluded not to disturb her.
Itwas rather pleasant to have her sitting
SO near, singing so softly, and Mr.. Bowen was
rather enjoying ii, whom tho sweet voice OF
Augusta was heard, not quite so duleet as
usual, as she said:
"0h, you here, Miss Liz Has anbybody
been with you ?"
Nobody but my thoughts" answered
Lizzie
Mamma thought she saw Mr.. Bowen come
down this walk" said Miss Augusta.
at mus. have been with her spiritual eyes,
then. haven't seen him with my bodily
ones" laughed Lizzie.
"Oh, well, it's no matter since he isn't here
But warn you, Missy, | won't allow you to
get up Irritation with Mr.. Bowen"
al shouldn't know how. You never gave
me lessons" returned Lizzie with some spirit.
at will be time enough for you after am
settled" continued Augusta, not condescend-
/ ing to notice Lizzies remark. "And / mean
to get settled this time, for Mr.. Bowen is i'm
menscly rich, and may not have any more
chances. am determined not. to let such
fortune slip"
81 would never marry him for that if did
not love him" said Lizzie with more fire than
usual in her
Well, I would and perhaps | shall
only mind you keep well out Of my way" re-
turned Miss Augusta, loftily, and with that
walked away, leaving Lizzie quite silent, and
Mr. Bowen utterly amazed at what be could
I not help hearing. If it had not been for
sparing Lizzie's feelings, be would have step
ped ont and confronted Miss Augusta-be
felt Just like doing So But be was beginning :
to learn some things, and he resolved to keep
quiet little longer and see how the enigma
would work itself out.
Lizzi, sat quiet for while. Mr.. Bowen
hoped she would not discover him, and re-
solved, if she did so 70 be fast asleep! But
before long be heard her putting up her work
to go. AS she rose from her seat she drew
long, deep sigh, and be heard her say to her
/ self:
Pm willing Gus should have all the mo-
ney. but oh if only had somebody to care
for, or somebody to care very little for me =
"Poor, lonely child wouldn't be sur
prised if somebody did care for you" thought
Seymour, as her footstep, died away upon the
garden walk.
After that his eyes were even quicker than
common to see the true state Of affairs, but he
did not pay Lizzie one single attention which
could rouse Miss Augusta's ire. And though
he was politely attentive to herself, he was
careful not TO let fall word or look that she
could coustrue into meaning more than polite
ness.
Atlat. however, his stay at Mrs. M0rti-