The daily gazette., 1881-04-06
The Village Beauty.
BY E. A.


Lonsdale-and she knew ii Her
whole time was monopolIzed on her.
self. Every look and gesture and
even the carriage of her head was a
subject of study with her. When
she was at party she was contin-
ually thinking of the effect she pro-
duced, and when she was at home
she was planning some new orna-
ment to wear in public. AT church
she spent her time in glancing from
under her bennett TO see who was
admiring her, and if any one was
not.
Of course she had many beaux.-
She could never walk half the
length of the principal street with
out being Joined by some gentle
man; and at dancing assembly she
was sure to be engaged for every
set before she had been in the room
ten minutes. In the Summer there
was almost brisk competition for
the honor of her hand at a picnic
In word, she had five beaux where
other young ladies had but one.
And yet, somehow, she was still
unmarried. Her school compan-
lens, one after another, settled in
life, and most of them advantage
ously but she was left single, alone
of all the number, if we except rs,
ther Raymond, who, from shyness
and excessive plainness, was gener-
ally set down to die an old maid.
If truth must be told, Mary was
excessively particular. Her notions
of herself were 30 high that she
thought but few suitors good enough
for her. At last, however, when
Horace Delaney returned frem Eur
ope, and settled down in the large
old mansion OF his family, the vii
lage agreed that the beauty had
found at last lover equal to her
ideal; for he was both rich and tai
ented, and belonged beside to the
most aristocratic set of the county.
Horace seemed to have been con-
quered by her charms the very first
night they met. He danced with
her as frequently as he dared; and
when not dancing stood apart steal
ing glances at her; he hung over her
when she sang, and he accompanied
her home. The next day he called
at the Gordons' as soon as etiquette
permitted, and on Sunday appeared
with Mary at church. Everybody
SAID it was an engagement, for if he
was fascinated, she appearded not
less so.
But all at once, Horace Delaney
ceased his attentions to the beauty
of the village, and was soon beheld
as assiduous In his attentions to Els.
ther Raymond as he had ever been
to her more beautiful rival. Every
body was astounded, except few
elders of the place, with whom Esq
ther had always been a favorite who
shook their heads, saying it was just
what they expected, for that Es-
theirs amiabllity was a thousand
times better than Mary's beauty. =
Let US look in on Horace, however,
as he sits chatting with contiden-
tial friend, and hear the real cause
OF the change.
"You must know Esther" he said.
'She is modesty peIsonified, yet her
.aleDts are extraordinary, and her amia-
Dili'y and accomplishments as great
Indeed, her modesty, by causing shyness,
makes many think her plain; but plain |
The is not, at least to those who know
Ter; for in familiar conversation the en-
husiasm OF her soul kindles her coun
snance into spiritual beauty that is
"You were soon off with the beautiful |
Mss Gordon, OF whom you wrote 50 |
apturously the first week you spent
lere."
Horace blushed little, for be felt how
oelish he had been, as he replied:
"Yes. She da2zled me for a while, but |
soon found my error; though cannot
'et forgive myself for being 0uped, even
or week, by pair of fine eyes and
artificial manDer."
"Is she beauty merely ?"
"Merely and entirely beauty; never
vas woman more so. All she thinks
bout is how she looks. Her mind is a
mere blank, or rather shallow stream
4 which one gets the plummet immedi-
tely."
"Yet you seemed so snrapturei at first
hat fear she may have begun to like
ou."
Horace laughed. "No fear of that, my
ood fellow. She loves herself too in
ensely ever to love any man. Ah what
contrast between her and Esther. 1t
] like passing from crowded, close
all-room, with Its glare of gas and its
um Of meaningless conversation, to the
zee air Of heaven, with the birds sing
lg, the waters gurgliDg, and the sun
nine sparkling around you"
"iou are poetica !"
"And so you will be, too, when you
now Esther. But come, put on your
at, IL Is time to go there; and want
on TO be quite intimate before you re-
lrn to be my bridesman."
A month from that time saw Horace
'elaney married to Esther Raymond.
he bride really looked beautiful on
lat auspicious morning; and, what is
ore, has been growing more lovely ever
nee. Would you know why? Because
D intelligent mind, united to a generous ,
cart Is the creator OF beauty, even
here 1t does not originally exist.
Miss Gordon Is now faded old maid, !
ith sunken eyes, skin like parchment,
"A Al Il. xf.I. /