The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-09-22

girl uow A-days has no chance At all
Aud poor Lizzie Nortoa had learned
consider her vant oi beauty almost in II
hight Of rnisiemeasor.
woman has no night 10 bc ugly, b,
father would Say; and her mother woul
glance at her own reflection in the glai
and murmur;
Very odd that Liszie takes after neiths
her father nor me.
So II is easy TO imagine that Lizzie In
looked forward 10 her first ball with mine
led feelings
1t is very little matter after all. what yo
wear my dear. her mother had said. Wit
your complexion anything will suit equal
we'll
And yet, when Lizzie was dressed ant
oAme down The broad staircase in he
whi,c dress, with its trimmings Of carnA
tions aud her crimson cape over her shoul
ders, she was by no means altogether un
lovely.
Her eyes had soft, mild expression
and the little hesitancy and shyness made
her lower the heavily fringed lids which
many a beauty might have envied.
These heavy eyelids had been trouble
to her all her life Her brother had ridi.
culed her for her sleepy looks, and she
had been accustomed to hear sharp con.
trasts 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
light and waiting servants and general APP
pearance OF festivity.
Mr.. and Mrs. Morton were cordially
greeted by their friend. Sir Henry Wells.
and, being among the earliest arrivals, and
upon footing OF the closest intimacy
Lizzie was claimed by the younger mem
bers Of the family and carried off to see
the decorations in the snpper room.
She had time to recover self possession
bofore the guests filed the ball room and
the dancing began.
Sir Henry's second son came and claim.
ed her for the first waltz-he could scarce
ly do less-but, that ordeal over, she was
left to sit quietly by her mothers side.
She had been sitting still for long
time, when suddenly her ear caught few
words something about taking compas.
sion" aud she was startled a moment af
ter at hearing few rapid words OF intro.
duction and finding gentleman standing
beside her, soliciting the pleasure OF a
dance.
Poor little girl how shy she is, thought
Lord Pelham to himself as'she gave
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 well bred courtesy placed
Lizzie at her ease, and, much to her own
surprise, she found herself chatting to
him all about her home, her scarcely dis
carded school days and this very ball.
Isuppose, said Lord Pelham, you were
very much excited about your first ball.
when my sisters came out what
0 fuss there was! II was good many
years ago (by Jove, they wouldn't thank
mo for saying that, though, and everyone
thought they would take the town by
storm. You can't guess, Miss Morton, he
'aiG warming to his subject, you cant
guess how pretty they looked. can see
hem now, dear girls! How proud was
If them bothl really don't know which
vas the prettier, he added, rehectively.
Lizzie sighed.
Why, continued Lord Pelham, as II
,nce started in his recollections he found
I difficult to stop, remember almost
with my cousin because Lily
rould dance the first waltz with him How
bsurd it seemsl
Are they married? asked Lizzie, timid-
Married. Wull--no, said Lord Pelham
eaectly, and, come to think of it, it's odd,
DO, that they haven't married, such pret-
: girls as they were
/ thought, said Lizzie, impulsivel,, that
retty girls always married-at least L
You what? asked Lord Pelham, rather
mnsed at her aroused tone; then, As she
hrauk back 10 her shyness, he continued,
'ughing:
Well, i thought SO, once, that pretty
iris always married but they don't you
vel Why, half the old maids were pretty
iris oncel s>
| wish ! was a pretty grill said Lizzie, in
sudden burst Of confidence, but SO naive
that no one could have suspected any
esire for unmeaning compliments
Her simplicity amused Lord Pelham
astly. He glanced at her unconscious
lce, and, after moments hesitation,
skai in manner that put her quite at
er ease: ~
Would you mind telling me why? Are
retty girls such enviable thingsf
l think they are, said Lizzie; I'm so
red Of being told how plain am. Every
pc seems to think can help il. but
mt you know
No, said Lord Pelham, | suppose not
cu were not consulted about II were your ,
Fell. never mind, Miss Morton, I'll tell
on something to comfort you. I've got
lain sister. and love her better than
9th the others put together. snd be look
4 20 kindly at her. even with little ,