The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-01-23
LAURA GREENE.
By MRS. ELLEN FINALLY.


the parlor of the Yonng Ladies' Home
Board School, gazing down the long, shady
avenue, and chetting gaily with each
other.
Il declare, cried Belle Passmors, do
look at our assistant teacher coming up
the walk. Isn't it shame she dresses -
shabSily? If lwere q poor country eirl
and had the wages she has, would dress
decent, at least. hate to see people tisht
and mean.
The speaker was a gay, brilliant looking
girl richly dressed; and, a. she stood with
her Lands clasped upon the window-sill
her short upper lipa was wreslhed Wigk .
naughty disdain she spoke. sHse cdijr :,
psioien vas > pals, intel 80 = :
|! ei.L aan , = Drown shouss..,Iul eye, and,
.l,nough he. aress and manners indicated
80 was q child Of wealth, her ap-
peararcc was modest and retiring Sne
started as from 4 deep reverie As she re-
piled She is very plain in her dress.
wonder myself at it. But what a thorough
scholar she is, and she is So attentive
and lovely in her manners that | really
love her.
Humphr was the response Of Belle, as
she cast another scornful glance at the
teacher. vino stepped a fsw moments OF
speak with a scholar she had met
Do let me hayea peep a. your rustic
teacher : exclaimed Edgsr Roseter, a tall,
dark complexioned gentleman, who had
been louugiug in the room reading the
morning paper
He rose, and, stepping forward, placed
an arm around each of the slender waists.
Half way dosn the walk stood Laura
4 ,..tt uIrl ha
with DOWN cas-, eyes, slowly plucking the
leaves from rose she held III her hard.
She was arraye,l In a muslin dress, wh ch.
though ou; OF date fitted her figure, which
was of good proportions, quite neat
~. Her ha.ds were encas-d IN pair Of
cotton gloves. and her hat was trimmed
with fad.d blue ribbon which looked a.
though it had seen service for a. least two
summers lrforc
Edgar no e,er looked for few II oment,
at Ihc ,sbieau before him, and then as he
glanced upon the scorHiul face Of Belle he
laughed outright; aud turning upon his
heal, walked away, and, seating himself
upon the piano stool, commenced Z lively
waltz
There vas brilliant party given the
following evening al the house Of Pr. Bay
ard. and the whole school was invited
happy throng va. nloyIng about the bill
l!-ntiy lighted parlors Anon, them was
Edgar Rosotor his cousin Marian Grey,
and her friend Belle Passnlorr Rcse;or
"as the son Of avery wealthy PhilAI-i I,l,,a
lawyer. no w4s On p snort visit TO h.-
cousin Marian, and Belle pas,lnore Was
ma king tA> utmost eaertions to c.ptivate
the heart Of the handsome visitor
Tner~, LAURA Greene here, as live,
Ia that rusty tlacN six Oh. She IA,
worn t,.ai v".y dress 10 every place OF
Aruu-.,u.ut since ] knew her | would
STAY 4: home if | va, in her place, or have
4 change OF dIe,s once in while. The
words sounded Lar>hiy in Ro>etor ears,
'rr lie Gjs.ihsd, above ali things. those
niedaIe.ume CRITICISMS. So often practiced
among the seutler sex; so he passed Oh ia
silence Soon after "A master hand struck
the note. Of = piaso in the adjoining par
lar, and sev, "a! difficult pieces were dasht q
eli and brilliantly performed. Then rich,
heavy voice uctsJmpaIIei the notes Ci the
piano
WLo ; tina, brilliant Musician? inqu:r
cd Kosc.1r WHO L..d stood like one en- =
tianced.
LAURA Greece, answ red Mar:an, !
told vou she was a perfect scholar aud very
much accomplished
Indeed T..s the RESPONSE. There .
some hing remarkable in her hi.tory, J
will warrant. he added mus!Hsly.
IN hour af;crward Ro.etor and Marian
wsr. s: .u.!I.g alone IN the conservatory
examining Ia. plants, when voices seuhd>
IN. near them they turned and stood al
most face II face with Laura q. eeue ana
Ms Bayard Marian shook her teacher :
hand, and, turning, introduced her TO he.
cousin.
Rase,or Pressed her hand warmly, e1-
pg s.iIg his pleasure in making her ac-
auaintance, md the face which was raised
crew pale for n moment as she looked in
to the deep, dark eyes which looked 30
search'ngiy at her shrinking figure. 1t
was Cn.y to1 q moment, then she became
calm, self possessed, dignitied as she ever
was Mrs Rayard was summoned 10 the
other room, and soon = gentleman came
along and engaged Marians attention "a
the other side Of the room, leaving Rose
tor and the teacher alone.
iIow have you enjoyed this evening =?
asked Rcsc:Ur. trying 10 study the face be
fore liiaI.
Very well, for one of my sober tastes,
she replied. Tune has over been SO i'm
+ portani to rle that seldom find time fol
| iecfeation.
/ she turned and pressed her face to the
! flowers as though she would turn the con
! versatien Rosetor looked long and ear
nest at the face before him. Ii was not {
! common one There was intellect Of the
/ first order there, and she seemed pure anC
chas,e as the Virgin Mary. There was ,
r,gidness about the face compressio,
about, the lips, and a sadness in the ey'
which seemed to express ,ha: life hat
been real and earnest with her; and
| though the promises were sweet, the bur
den was snmetim' grievous to he borne
He knew not why 1t was, but his who'll
| heart went cut to her, and he lCnged L
take her by the hand and listen TO tn
story Of her life.
There had been long pause, whel
Laura Greene looked up and caught tn
thoughtful gaze of her companion. Sh
colored deeply Rosetor started and OF
fered her his arm for a promenade, whlcl
she modesiiy accepted. The conversation
became general concerning the diife. en-
branches of scientific studies, and Rossts
the young collsgian. WAS completely aston
/ ished and put to shame ty the superio
knowledge of the rustic teacher.
About a week after Edgar Rosetor wa
riding along smooth. quiet road on hi
way to a village about ter miles distant
see man npon some important business
when loud clap of thunder aroused hin
frem the reverie into which he had faller
He looked up and was surprised at tn
dark, threatening clouds above his heaG
lie spurred on his horse, but before he ha
! ridden far the rain began to tall in Srea
large drops Ga he flew, when welcorn
sight met his Wow. just before him w
a small, red farm house almost covere
with flowers. and climbing shrubbery.
. happened that the big barn doors wer
open. and he cantered his horse in upo
the floor. A tall sickly looki youth ws
j putting up grain few yards frsM him.