White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-10-22

on may see me aSuns anu you may not
but on pain of my certain displeasure, never to
human being speak Of Or relate your past life
-you must forget Il sntirsly, Remember this,
and promise me you viii not again disObey my
commands"
Violet gave the required promise, and the old
woman continued:f aifiYl 0
"You have never bssn called BY any other
name than Yiolet-you must now have one. A
precious and darling child have you been to
my ED heart, and in remembrance, you shall be
called Violet Darling"
The next morning Nelly came in bearing a
bundle, which she handed to Violet, saying:
"Here, my love, are clothes more suitable for
you than the coarse garments you have On.
have seen Mrs. BAllantyne. the lady spoke of,
and, as expected, she is willing to receive you,
not as domestic. but as a companion. One so
new to the world as you are, she thinks she can
mould according to her own fancy, but be not
led, my dear child, to forget the lessons of truth
and vicle have endsavored to instil into your
mind. This afternoon, at four O'Clock, you will
be sent for" tL 1884,
Passing over the grief of Violet, at finding
herself about to be separated from the only
friend she had on earth, we find her at the hour
appointed, waiting the messenger of Mrs. Bal.
lantyne.
As her eye caught the figure reflected in the
old cracked looking glass, it was no wonder she
started with surprise. A neat white cambria
now took the place of the faded, coarse calico
she had previously worn; blue scarf yelled her
bosom, and little gypsy hat, tied under her
dimpled chin with blue ribbons, shaded her
youthful, modest face. Thus attired, poor Vic.
from offered freedom. "a
Mrs. Ballantyne was gay and handsome wild
ow. Her fOrtieth birthday had already passed
but 70 lightly had time marked these milestone:
to the grave, (as some one has called Them
that to all appearance, she was as youthful as Al
five and twenty. Her complexion, perhaps, had
suffered, but the brightness Of her fine black eye
was undimmed; her raven hair, still unsilvered
rested in rich glossy folds upon her lofty brow
her mouth was small-teeth superb, and her &c
Left widow at an early age, Mrs Ballantynt
for several years, secluded herself entirely from
the gay world. All her thoughts-all her affec
tions-centered in her only child, lovely boy
Report had said the married life of Mrs. Ballan
tynO had been far from happy; but, if so, she
certainly evi-ced all the grief of the most lffec
tionate wife, for, even after her son was ole
enough to be placed at school, she still persisted
in her seclusion, seeing none but her most init
] mate friends. and only relieving the monotony
Of her existence by daily habituating herself tC
the exercise Of walking, in which however, she
as constantly refused all participants. These
solitary walks, so regular, and in all weathers
at last gave rise to many ill-natured and unfeel
ing remarks, tending in the end to sulIy the purt
fame of the young widow. But even while the
world whispered and wondered, Mrs. Ballantynt
suddenly gave new impetus to their tongue!
and conjectural organs, by as suddenly renoun
cling Der former manner Of life, and, casting
aside - mourning weeds, stepped forth from
her darkened chamber q radiant, beautiful NO
man-gay-enchanting- spiritueLLe' ---
With taste as novel as it was exquisite, she
furnished her splendid mansion; the elega=ce O
her equipage was the topic of the day; while
balls, suppers, and parties, followed each othel
in rapid succession. .- ..
II tnas nOsc The dashing Mrs. ,BGlLantyne!
Her saloon was thronged with the elite of lear
ming and sristocracy. She patronized the fns
arts, befriended the unfortunate, and gave liber
ally to every charitable purpose.
The same mystery 10 be sure, still attached
itselfto her private affairs; certain hours of ev
cry day she was invisible; but nop the world
deemed it only an eeeentrieity, and a. such il
passed. Nor was she without her admirers
Statesmen and heroes would gladly have LAID
their laurels at her feet, and many youthful
lover Worshipped at her shrine; but materna
love shielded her heart from other ties. Undel
all the apparent frvolity Of her character, there
was much, very much, that was truly excellent
and noble. Her son was never forgotten-ht
was still the idol of her fondest hopes and affec
ton. With talents of high order brought into
development by judicious instruction, Eugene
/
completed his collegiate course, and had already
evinced a strong desire to enter the ministry
His health, however, having suffered from clos
application to study, it was deemed advisable
for him TO make the tour to Europe ere he cam,
to any definite determination.
Such then was the person who was to receiv,
the humble protese Of the Rag-gatherer. VIVA
transition from the wretched dwelling Of th
latter, to the luxuriant sbode Of wealth and fash
ion, where the very air seemed oppressed viii
its own fragrance. Yet the mind of Violet, ap
peared fitted for this refined sphere-so strange
" had old Nelly even in all her obscurity an
poverty cultivated this lovely flower. She va
like the sweet lily Of the vale opening its deli
cate petals in the dark Wild wood, yet whel
t t-znsplanted to the conservatory Of rare an
choice exotics, then only appearing tohaye foun'
its proper sphere!
II was the afternoon upon which Violet ha
r taken last farewell of her childhood's home
: WITH what sorrow has been shown. that Mr..
Ballantyne, seated in her private apartment
waited the arrival Of her pretsge. It WAS tn
: month Of June, and it would seem Flora hersel
: had showered this little retreat Of the wido'
!, With her most beautiful offerings. Vases Of tn
most tasteful designs were scattered around, 81
E ed with choice roses-wreaths OF fresh flower
/ were suspended over the mirrors, and the trans
{ parent window curtains were looped with tn
same. The floor was covered With an India mai