Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-11-24
Selected S}yisfellauv,,
Charlotte Liston
OR,
THE PRICE OF A HEART.
ny HENRY F. HARRINGTON.

"Well, Margaret, what have you now?''
asked Mrs. Liston. of Bond street, of
her maid, upon her return to the parlor
from answering the door bell the second
time, within ten minutes of the first.
"Another note, ma'am," replied
Margaret. placing it in tho extended
hand of her mistress
80, SO For Miss Charlotte, too, as
well as the other. DO you know the
person who delivered it, Margaret? p
eyes, maan," returned the maid
sit was Mr.. Cords footman
Take it up to her" said Mrs. Liston,
after she had sufficiently inspected the
exterior of the note. Margaret disap-
peared, and Mrs. Liston, graceful wo-
man, with a very round head, bright
expressive eyes, regular features, and
possessed of very insinuating, almost
stealthy manner leaned her cheek upon
her hand, and was, for few moments
absorbed in cogitation; then, rising and
placing the lace collar, upon which
she had been engaged, upon the work.
table beside her, she went mp the stairs
to seek her daughter.
Charlotte was rapidly walking hel
chamber in much agitation, when hel
mother softly opened the door. Her LIP
was trembling her cheek flushed and hei
eye sparkling. The two missives, APP,
parently most important in their contents
to be productive Of SO much excitement
we're lying wide open upon her bed
Mrs. Listens entrance arrested her pro.
gress midway in the apartment, and, as
she caught the peculiar and meaning
smile, which pervaded her mothers fea
lures, the crimson on her cheek spread
like the lightnings flash, until it suffuscd
forehead. face and neck, and tho poo
girl, half gasping, sank upon her bed
concealing her face within her hands
Mrs Liston glided to her, and, PARTIAL,
removing one hand, kissed the portion
Of forehead thus revealed then passing
one arm around her daughters wais
and seating herself beside her, took witt
tho other the letter which had firs
arrived
Charlotte had not seen the gesture By
which this was accomplished, but she
intuitively recognized the action and
suddenly lifting her head, while tina
blush, almost fearfully deep, clouded hel
clear complexion again, and her bosom
heaved, and her lips were fully parted
in the intensity of her emotion, she ex-
tended both hands for the letter; and AZ
her parent, to retain it, held ii at the
length of her arm, clasped them i'm.
ploringly, only articulating, in grear
emotion,
mo, no Dear mother, no p
II am your mother, Charlotte" an.
swored Mrs. Liston, soothingly, yet in a
tone that implied her maternal right te
be the confdant of her child. Charlotte
submitted without further expostulation
and Mrs. Liston proceeded to perusc the
letter
AS may have been anticipated, both
the letters which have been brought ir
question were surcharged with the pro.
testations and implorings of love | They
were from gentlemen possessing very
diverse characteristics, as might have
been predicated upon the dissimilitudc 0
these epistles-thelr representatives
The one that had first arrived and which
Mrs Liston was now about to read, wa
on white fine letter sheet, neatly, bu
plainly folded-thc impress of the sea
being the initials Of the writer's name
the second on the most delicate not
paper, highly perfumed, gilt edged, am
having full blown rose painted upoi
its corner; ; while its seal was two cupid
bearing transfxed heart, The write
of the former was young merchant, G
comparatively humble but respectabl
parentage, whose birtb-place--and tn
home of his youth--was in the interio
of this state he having sought the cit,
for fortunes sake. He had been wei
educated, and with industry perseverance
and economy, was slowly but securely
winning his way to success. He ha'
never enjoyed the benefits Of intercourse
| With polished society, until Mr.. Liston
whose store was near his own, and will
whom be had had some business transac
tons, pleased with his conduct and adj
dress, invited him to bis house. Possess
cd of strong powers Of observation, ant
those Unborn graces Of character which
distinguish the natural gentleman, b.
was guilty. in the beginning. of no very
observable .fa1r pas, and speedily as
simulated his manners to those Of the 50
cicty into which he was thrown Tht
result of his frequent visits at Mr.. Lis
tons had been the enkindliDg Of fefgea