River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-07-21
so VERY PLAIN.

ga plain girl nowadays has no chance
at all"
And poor Lizzie Morton had learned
TO consider her want of beauty almost
in the light af misdemeanor.
"a woman has no right to be ugly, y
her father would say; and her mother
would glance at her own reflection in
the glass, and murmur:
every odd that Lizzie takes after
neither her father nor me-"
So it is easy to imagine that Lizzie
looked forward to her first ball with
mingled feelings.
1T is very little matter, after all, what
you wear, my dear" her mother had
said, with your complexion any
thing will SUIT equally we'll.
And yet, when Lizzie was dressed and
came down the broad staircase in her
white dress, with its trimmings of car
nations, and her crimson cape over her
shoulders, she was by no means alto
gether unlOvely.
Her eyes had soft, mild expression,
and the little hesitancy and shyness
made her lower the heavily fringed lids
which many a beauty might heve en-
We'd.
These heavy eyelids had been a
trouble to her all her life. Her broth
ers had ridiculed her for her sleepy
look, and she had been accustomed to
hear sharp contrasts drawn between
her mothers wide open, large gray eyes
and her own heavy look.
So she followed her father in much
trepidation to the carriage, and her
heart beat high as, after their short
drive they reached Brandon Hall, with
its blaze Of lights, waiting servants and
general appearance of festiyity.
Mr.. and Mrs. Brandon were cordially
greeted by their friend, Sir Harry Wells:
and, being among the earliest arrivals,
and upon footing of the closest init
macy. Liz was claimed by the young
er members of the family and carried
off to see the decorations in the supper
room.
She had time to recover some self
possession before the guests filled the
ballroom and dancing began
Sir Harry's second son came up and
claimed her for the first waltz-he
could scarcely do less-but that ordeal
over she was left to sit quietly by her
mother side.
She had been sitting still for long
time, when suddenly her ear caught a
few words-something about taking
compassion" she was startled a
moment after at hearing a few rapid
words of introduction and finding gen
tleman standing beside her, soliciting
the pleasure of dance.
Poor little girl how shy she is, -
thought Lord Pelham as she gave a
faint response and rose from her seat.
"Well, one must do a good-natured
thing once in while"
The good natured thing did not prove
very unpleasant.
Lord Pelham's well-bred courtesy
placed Lizzie ut her ease, and. much to
her surprise, she found herself chatting
to him all about her home, her scarce
" discarded school-days and this very
ball.
II suppose" said Lord Pelham. "yOu
were very much excited about your
first ball? | remember when my sis
ters came out what fuss there wasl 1t
was IL good many years ago (by Jove,
they wouldn't thank me for saying that
thought and every one thought they
take the town by storm. You can't
2ubNS. vi lSN 1lOIAOllf liz Sdlt w III III
TO his suhject-''you cant guess how
pretty they looked. | can see them
now, dear girls! How proud l was oil
them both | really don't know which
was the prettier, he added, rellectively
Lizzie sighed.
''Whyr continued Lord Pelham, as
if once started in his recollections he
found it difficult to stop, II remember
almost quarreIing with my cousin be
cause Lily would dance the first waltz
with him." How absurd it seemsr'
care they married?' asked Lizzie
timidly.
Married. Well-no," said Lord Pei
ham, reiectively, "and, come to think
of it, it's odd, too, that they haven
married, such pretty girls as they were.
II thought, said Liz2ie, impulsively
that pretty girls always married-at
least -'
'You-what o. asked Lord Pelham
rather amused mt her aroused tone
then rs she shrank back into her shy
ness he continued, laughing:
''Welll | thought too, once, that pref
~ girls always married-but they don't
YOU see! Why, half the old maids were
pretty girls onceri
y wish was pretty girln' said Liz.
zie. in sudden burst of confidence
but so naively that no one could have
suspected any desire for unmeaning
compliment.
Her simplicity amused Lord Pelham
vastly. He glanced at her little uncon
scious face, and after a seconds hesita
ton asked, in manner that put hel
quite at ease;
Would you mind telling me why
Are pretty girls such enviable things ?
4 think they are" said Lizzie, I'm
IN tired Of being told how plain am
every one seems To think | can help 1t
and | can't you know"
Mo- said Lord Pelham. Il sup
pose not, You weren't consulted about
1t. were YOU? Well never mind, Mis-.
Morton, III tell you something to com
fort YOU. I've got plain sister, and
love her better than both the others pu
together" and he looked so kindly Il
her. even with little amused smile OF
his lipS, that Lizzie reserve melteC
quite away.
rs She married. she asked, in
hopeful tone.
Married, Yes, indeed. married tn,
very first season she came out, an,
such a plain little body YOU did neve
see?'
How did she manage it, asked Liz
zie in tone of amazement.
Lord Pelham fairly laughed-h,
couldn't helPit, This girl, this plail
little girl amused him vastly.
oh" he said, at last, Il suppos
somebody was wise enough to know tina
beauty Is only skin deep, and my siste
jamie had an angels soul"
Lizzie sighed again, then with & re
newed outburst of confidence, she said
Il don I think beauty Is only skin
deep. l think it's heart-deep. | woul,
give all | have to be pretty"
And as she spoke, such wistfu
child-like look grew on her face tina
her companion was touched.
Il wouldn think about it if | wer
you" ne sand after q pause. TRY an
nut it out of YOUR head. There ar