Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-14
Tales and Sketfhes.
For the Journal.
TwOFoLD.

Diamonds fash and rubies glow,
Rivers sparkle as they flow,
White rocks CLEAN, though tempests blow
Across the main.
Virtue shines with purest light
Patience gaineth wondrous might,
Courage dares, for what is right
The world to brave.
A brilliant assembly had met at the
mansion of Richard Barely, Esq, in New
York. on midwinter evening. Lace,
silk, blonde and tulle foated and shim-
mered like crested waves. on the sea of
fashion; jewels sparkled beneath manifold
jets Of gas; flowers, fragrant gifts from
| natures treasure-store, works of art,
chiseled and polished by mans creative
| skill and music, vibrating with dream
| like harmony, inaudibe at times, amid the
hum of voices, made the elegant suite of
| rooms almost a scene OF enchantment.
Grace Horton. Lizzie Archibald and
Harry Lester were among those guests,
who were friends OF the host and hostess
they were not included within the cere-
monious pale OF etiquette.
The cOngenial temperament of Grace
Horton impressed others with a sympa-
| thetic unison, by which she attuned her
| self to- an intensely subtle accordance; yet,
| expressive black eyes. mouth with deli
cately firm curves. and the graceful poise
of a stately head. all told of one who
would not brook opposition.
Lizzie Archibald had less individuality
of character, and her plant nature vas
easily influenced; she was tall and SYM
metrlcal in form, but the naughty contour
of her handsome face lacked decision.
There was quiet dignity in the gentle
manly bearing, which showed he need
not battle with the world, to make there
by fortune for himself; hitherto his life
had been mere pastime, wealth and po-
sition shielding him from struggles with
adverse fate. He had just finished his
studies at a foreign University. Miss
Archibald was his cousin.
The conversation of these young peo-
| pie referred to Mary Barely, who was at
home after an absence of several years at
the seminary of N.
1.-The happy Mr.. and Mrs. Barely are TO
have their daughter with them again."
said Lizzie, glancing at Mary; "but she
does not resemble them in the least, her
parents are dark, but she is as fair and
delicate as an anemone"
Il have noticed it myself" Grace re-
| piled, and"
Let US not discuss physiognomy at a
party" Lizzie interrupted at is too tire
some and personal" she concluded,
with an attempt at pleasantly.
| perhaps" said Lester, "cousin Lizzie
thinks more trifling subjects appropriate
to the present time, and that custom die
tates fashionable topics, as well as those
suitable for the lecture hall to the latter
| place we will leave the discussion of q
science. so remarkably treated by Lavater
and at this moment consider, with due in
terest, the last new novel, the merits of
the next opera, and close with general
summary OF gossip; as far as the last item,
| will DC listener, imbibing thereffom .
vast fund of knowledge"
| His sarcasm was too good hnmored to
offend. and Lizzie asked with mock gravi-
ty and quizzical mirth,
"Who shall determine the respective
calber of our brains in dissertation upon
so important IA themep"
Il will have the cousins to settle so
weghty a matter" said Grace, turning to
another group.
Ere long Lizzie Archibald was sought as
partner for dance, and Lester wan
dered about, till he stood near Mary Bare
ly. whom he had seldom seen since their
childhood. Advancing towards her, he
was unobserved, 80 absorbed was she in
the novelty of watching people; too un-
sophisticated to criticise them. she saw
every one through the imaginative lens of
an ideal vision. formed by her own i'm
pulses and perceptions. 1t seemed to
her sincerity must prompt the courteous
words, spoken so politely, and that the
mask of hypocrisy could not conceal ILL
will and deception.
"This gay company presents quite q
contrast to your lite at school," Lester
said, somewhat interrogatively.
Eyes" was all the reply Mary vouch-
safed
(Which do you like best p' he said with
more assurance of definite answer, than
was warrantable, since Mary only said:
II do not know, | was happy at school,
and shall doubtless enjoy society with
equal zest. fH-
l. But while they were conversing, the
young man could not fail to admire the
calm deiberation with which she balanced
opinions, broached, oftentimes, with dip
lomatic Difference to her judgment f.-
Evening had merged into midnight be-
fore the family were alone, weary, 1t is
true, but satisfied, however, with the sue
cess of their entertainments
The winter sped away with unusual
rapidity at the Barcly's; the mother tried
especially to analyZe her child's dIsposi-
tion, so entirely different from her son !:
she could not understand that intuition,
which scans everything so quickly aud ac-
curately. Mary was sensitive to censur or
injustice. not infiicting on other people
what she was unwilling to bear herself.
Mrs. Barely and Mary found much
pleasure IN attending, together. concerts
and lectures, and many long evening
was shortened by reading and music
Spring had come, and even in New
York, the trees were budding into fresh
green tufts about the glaring brick walls.
and the sky was sunny above palatial
homes, and over the dusty. busy marts of
traffic; but there was not that lubilant ex-
hilaration, which is felt in the country, al
belt Central Park enfolded wealth of un-
dulating verdure and massive beauty of
foliage within the city precincts.
Harry Lester had spent his winter In