The Shoemaker's Daughters CHAPTER 7.

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When Anne retired to her bed that night, it was with a new feeling about her heart. The information which her little friend had conveyed to her respecting Mr. Marshall, wasunexpected — and yet pleasant in a degree that she could not account for. She had passed but half an hour with him, and had only been led to think of him, since that time, it seemed to her, in consequence of her interview resulting in a serious rupture with Mrs. Hardamer and two of her daughters. But, now, to hear that he had expressed an interest in her, was strangely pleasing. The more she thought about the matter, the more confused became her perceptions, and the more excited her feelings.

"This is not right," she at length murmured to herself, and, with an effort, endeavored to throw her thoughts off from the too absorbing subject. But, like the needle to the pole — they would return, and continued to return, in spite of every effort, as often as she attempted to force them away. Sleep finally stole over her senses; but, in slumber, she thought ofhim still, and awoke more than once during the night, from pleasant dreams, in which his presence had made the chief delight.

On the next evening Marshall again called. He had dropped in regularly almost every evening for about a week. Through a little management, Mrs. Flathers had thus far succeeded in preventing him from meeting with Anne, though she felt her desire to see them together, daily increasing. She was fully satisfied of Anne's pure and noble character, and esteemed Marshall as one of the few in society who are above reproach.

"You said you had a very nice young lady here, I believe; did you not, Mrs. Flathers?" he asked soon after he came in.

"Indeed, Ralph! Have you just remembered it?"

"I must confess a great lack of gallantry on my part, but, I suppose, extra attentions to her will atone for past neglect," he replied, smiling.

"You've grown tired then, in your chase after an unknown charmer? Well, that is encouraging. I shall soon expect to see you as rational as ever."

"No more tired — and twice as ardent as I was a week ago," he said with animation. "But tell me of this young lady, with a sight of whom, I have not yet been favored."

"You must promise, first, not to fall in love with her."

"I promise."

"Quite willing to commit yourself, I declare!"

"Now tell me her name, Mrs. Flathers."

"Don't be so impatient, Ralph. Why, what's the matter with you? You have grown very suddenly and very strangely interested in this unknown lady. You don't think, surely, that she is your pretty sewing girl?"

"Well, I do think so — and I know so!" said Marshall in a positive tone.

This was more than Mrs. Flathers had expected, and she looked surprised and confused. Marshall continued —

"How could you hold me in suspense so long, Mrs. Flathers, when you knew that I was half crazy to find her! But is she not all I have described her?"

"Yes, Ralph — and more too. You know not half her worth." Mrs. Flathers spoke with feeling.

"Heaven bless you for saying so!" exclaimed the young man, seizing the hand of his maternal friend. "But I am impatient to see her. In mercy, relieve my suspense."

"Be calm, Ralph," returned Mrs. Flathers, seriously. "Remember that all this enthusiasm is on one side. She is not as much interested in you — as you are in her; and, if I have read her aright, thinks rarely of you, and with no feeling. You were to her an intruding stranger, and caused her much pain of mind. Except for this pain, I am inclined to think that she would hardly have thought of you again. You have got to win her, if you would have her."

"And win her I will!" said the young man with enthusiasm.

"Do not be so sure, Ralph. Unless she can see in you, the beauty of moral excellence — she will never yield you her hand."

"Do you think I have anything to hope, then, Mrs. Flathers?" he said in a more serious and concerned tone of voice.

"There is no one I would rather see the husband of Miss Webster, than yourself, Ralph; and no one whom I think so worthy of her. Even, already, I love her as a daughter — and if you win her, and your mother approves the choice, I shall have a double claim on your regard."

"You make me too happy, Mrs. Flathers. But does she know of my visit here? Is she aware that I am now in the house?"

"She has not the least suspicion of it, Ralph. I have carefully concealed from her, for good reasons, the fact that I knew you."

"Well, this need no longer be," he said. "I am impatient to see her face again, and once more to hear the music of her sweet voice."

Mrs. Flathers rang the bell, and, to the servant who entered, said —

"Tell Anne that I would be glad to see her in the parlor."

In a brief time, Anne entered.

"Let me introduce you to Mr. Marshall, Anne, the son of one of my best and oldest friends," said Mrs. Flathers, taking her hand and advancing with her.

Anne startled a little when she heard the name, and there was a slight exhibition of internal agitation; but in a moment she was calm, and received him with the easy politenesswhich was so natural to her.

It is needless to detail the particulars of this interview. Marshall, of course, continued to be a constant visitor, and soon awoke a deep and trembling interest in the heart of Anne Webster. She no longer held towards Mrs. Flathers the relation of one whose services were given for hire. That lady had dissolved this connection, and had elevated her to the position of a daughter and a companion. Anne accompanied her when she went into company, and was introduced into a select and valued circle of friends, whose rank in society was fixed upon the basis of real worth. And she soon became known as the choice of Marshall, a young man universally esteemed for his high moral principles. He was the only son of an old and wealthy Virginia family.

"Whom do you think I met in Market Street, today?" said Genevra Hardamer to her sister, coming in from an idle stroll, with an expression of astonishment upon her countenance.

"How would I know, I wonder?" said Gertrude, moodily; for, as usual, she was in no very amiable humor.

"Well, you'd like to know, I'm sure."

"Who was it, then," asked Gertrude, brightening up a little. "Was it Mr. Marshall?"

"Yes. But there was somebody else with him."

"And who was it?" asked Gertrude, with an expression of lively interest.

"You wouldn't guess in a dog's age, and so I'll tell you. It was Anne Webster."

"Who?" exclaimed Gertrude, jumping up from her chair.

"That trollop we sent off for not knowing how to keep her place!" said Genevra, indignantly.

"You must be mistaken, surely."

"Indeed, I am not, Gertrude. The insolent hussy looked at me with an impertinent grin, and made a motion as if she were going to speak, but I turned up my nose at her, and could have spit in her face, the bold minx!"

"But what in the world is the meaning of her being in the street with Mr. Marshall?" asked Gertrude, greatly disconcerted.

"I've got my own thoughts about that," said Genevra. "I never had much opinion of him — and as for her, I don't believe she's good for anything."

But this insinuation by no means quieted the feelings of Gertrude. A cloud settled upon her brow, and she sat, for some time, in gloomy silence.

"He needn't think to come here again, after having been seen in Market Street with a hired girl! I'll insult him if ever he sets his foot in this house, or speaks to me! I swear I will!" This last elegant expression for a lady's tongue, was enunciated by Genevra with peculiar energy, while her face warmed with accumulating anger.

"Don't make yourself a fool about it, Genevra," responded Gertrude, testily, for she could not make up her mind to relinquish all hope of Marshall.

This direct thrust called into active play, the unruly member of each of the young ladies, which continued for half an hour or more, until one of them was driven from the field.

There happened to be some unusual attraction at Peale's Museum, in Holiday Street, on that same evening, and Gertrude and Genevra attended, accompanied by a couple of young shopkeepers. The museum was well filled, and the company made up, principally, of those who moved in good society. Among these, Gertrude and Genevra were quite conspicuous by their loud laughing and talking, and their excessive show of finery. Excepting themselves, there were few who were not plainly attired; and few whosemanners and bearing did not stamp them as superior.

"I declare, I never saw such a company of vulgar people together in my life," remarked Genevra to her spruceattendant. "I would really think there were none here but journeymen mechanic's wives — if some of the men did not look so elegant. Now, isn't that too vulgar a looking person to be allowed admission here?" she continued, half aloud, directing, with a toss of her ridicule, to a very plain, but neatly dressed lady, who was gracefully leaning upon the arm of a gentleman, and examining with him some beautiful entomological specimens.

"That lady!" replied her attendant, in a tone of surprise. "Why, that is the elegant and accomplished Mrs. Ashton!"

"It can't be possible!" responded Genevra, incredulously.

"It is certainly none other, Miss Hardamer, for she is frequently in our warehouse, and is every inch a lady. If pleasant manners, a perfect freedom from all affected airs of superiority, and a gentle and amiable disposition, are any indications of a lady — then is she one. I never see her in the place that I do not find my admiration of her character increasing."

The young man spoke with warmth, and Genevra was silent for a short time, and seemed offended.

"If there isn't Mr. Marshall, with that sweet girl on his arm again!" exclaimed Gertrude's young companion, thrown off his guard in his admiration of the face and form of Anne Webster. "I wonder who she can be? As I live, the other lady on his arm is the rich and highly accomplished widow of the late Mr. Webster!"

While yet addressing his companion, Marshall, with the two ladies, advanced towards the lady and gentleman — Mr. and Mrs. Ashton, just mentioned, as they were examining a case of entomological preparations, and, after a friendly greeting between them, Anne was introduced, and received with a cordial smile from Mr. Ashton, and a warm pressure of the hand, and a welcome word from his lady.

Upon all this, both Gertrude and Genevra looked with the liveliest astonishment and chagrin. The former was, however, speedily aroused from her state of surprise by her companion, who again said —

"I wonder who she can be?"

"I can tell you," said Gertrude, with a sneer upon her lip.

"Who is she, then? — for I would like of all things, to know."

"Why, she is no other than our cast-off servant girl," replied Gertrude, maliciously.

"Impossible!" said the young man.

"I tell you it is possible, though," said Gertrude, in a low, but excited tone, "and her name is Anne Webster. We turned her out of the house for improper conduct. She's a deceitful, insinuating piece of goods, and has, no doubt, imposed upon Mrs. Flathers, who will get herself into trouble with her." All this was uttered in a tone expressive of the strongest dislike and enmity towards Anne.

Just at this moment, Anne turned her face towards them, and the young man read its pure and lovely expression.

"You must be in error, surely," he said, earnestly. "An evil mind, could never fill so innocent an expression as that now beaming upon her face!"

"Let me show you some of these beautiful specimens, Miss Webster," said Mrs. Ashton, at this moment, in a voice distinctly heard by both Gertrude and her companion; and, placing the arm she had disengaged from that of her husband, at the moment of introduction, within that of Anne, she drew her towards the case of insects, and was soon busy in pointing out to her the rarest and most beautiful.

"So you see that I know her!" said Gertrude, with an expression of contempt.

The young man was silent, for he could not understand it. From that moment, it so happened, that neither Gertrude nor Genevra could go in any direction, without being thrown near Marshall and Anne, and finding the latter in familiar association with those in the highest station in society. Mortified and irritated, they left the museum at an early hour, and returned home.

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