The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-06-28
$50 VERY PLAIN.-

"lf only she were not so Very plain,
sighed Mrs. Morton, as she discussed hel
daughters future with her friend. c"
plain girl n ow-a-days has no chance at
ALL"
And poor Lizzie Morton had learned tc
consider her want of beauty almost in the
light of misdemeanor.
GA woms has no right to be ugly
her father would say; and her mother
would glance at her own reflection in the
glass and murmur: "Very odd that Lizzie
takes after n either her father nor me.''
So it is easy to imagine that Lizzie had
looked forward to her first ball with
mingled feelings.
"It is yer little matter, after all, what
you wear, my dear,' her mother had said.
With your complexion anything will
suit equally WE'LL"
And yet, when Lizzie was dressed and
came down the broad staircase in he1
white dress, with its trimmings of carna.
tions, and her crimson cape over her
shoulders, she e was by no means altogether
Her eyes had a soft, mild expression,
and the little hesitancy and sbyness made
her lower the heavily-fringed lids which
many beau uty might have envied.
These heavy eyelids had been trouble
to her all her life. Her brothers had ridi-
culed her for her sleepy look, and she had
been accustomed to hear sharp contrasts
drawn betw cen 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 Bra andon Hall, with its blaze OF
light and waiting servants and genera
appearance of festivity.
Mr.. and Mrs. Morton were cordially
greeted by their friend, Sir Harry 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 decora tions in the supper room.
She had time to recover some selfpos
session before the guests filled the ball
room and dancing began.
Sir Harry's second son came up ant
claimed her for the first waltz-he coult
scarcely do less-but, that ordeal over
she was left to sit quietly by her mother
side.
She had been sitting still for Ions
time, when suddenly her ear caught few
words-som mething about taking compass
sion "-and she was startled a momen
after at hearing few rapid words of in
PRODUCTION and finding gentleman stand
ing beside her, soliciting the pleasure of
dance.
"Poor little girl how shy she is :
thought Lord Pelham to himself, as sh
gave faint response and rose from he
seat. "Well, one must do good-naturet
thing once in a while"
The good-natured thing did not prov
very unpleasant.
Lord Pelham's well-bred courtesy PLACED
Lizzie at her ease, and, much to her owl
surprise, she found herself chatting t
him all about her home, her scarcely dis
carded SC hool days and this very ball.
81 suppose" said Lord Pelham, "yo'
were very much excited about your frs
ballP / remember when my sisters cam
out what fuss there was! 1t is gooi
many years ago (by Jove, they wouldn'
thank me for saying that though, AM
every one thought they'd take the tow
by storm. You. can't guess, Miss MOI
ton," he said, warming to his subject
"you can't guess how pretty they lool
ed. l can see them now, dear girls
How proud was of them both reall
don't know which was the prettier," h
added, rsfectiyely.
Lizzie sighed.
"Why I" continued Lerd Pelham, as
once started in his recollections he foun
it difficult to stop, "I remember almof
quarreling with my cousin because lii
scOuId dance the first waltz with him
How absurd 1t seems p
Are they married p asked Lizzie
timidly.
Married Well--no," said Lord Pc
ham, refectively, "and, come TO think {
it, it's odd too that they haven't married
such pretty girls as they were"
"I thought" said Lizzie, impulsiyel,
"that pretty girls dlscGys married.
least-It-"
ssYou- --whatp'' asked Lord Pelham, rat
er amused ct her aroused tone; then
she shr2nk back into her shyness he 90
tinued, laughing:
swell | thought too once, that pretl
girls ALWAYS married-but they dom