The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-06-24
CHAPTER Y.

~AAAA1 AASAS ~
After her friends arrived in MiIlwocd,
Charlotte'svisits to tbeparsauage ceased;
she became cold and studied in her
manner to MIR. and Mrs. Percival, avoid.
ing them if possible. Her conduct to
Mr. Reichelm was still more Marked
scarcely a bow Of recognition when
they chanced to meet The Percivals
felt surprise and regret at the wayward
behavior Of this spoiled girl, but were
too independent to notice it. Their
own manner was unchanged. Paul
made no comment on her absence,
though, doubtless, he missed her more
than the rest. Her music and vivacity
formed large part of the evenings
pleasure ; her sudden Withdrawing from
the little circle lett q void that could
not be filled.
Charlotte was indeed changed. A
few days Intercourse with her worldly
friends swept away the good seed lately
planted in her perverse heart. She
was again Miss Hildreth; vaic, proud,
anxious to impress her friends with her
exclusiveness. She began to regret her
intimacy with the Percivals and the
evenings spent in Paul Reichelm's So
cicty, and reproached herself for SO
soon forgetting his first presumption
and her purposed revenge. She did
not reflect on her own dishonorable
conduct towards the Percivals, but
speculated on the probability Of her
brothers trie pds learning the extent Of
her intimacy with them.
Suppose Miss Cburchill-thc village
newsmonger-discovered how frequent
ly she met Mr.. Reichelm at the par
eonage! With what deli ght SIZE would
magnify, and circulate, tale calculated
to bring her into ridicule! The fear
Of ridicule was Charlotte's weakness.
She could easily endure Charles angry
frowu and concise lecture on her proper
selt-respect ; but her friends s"rcastic
remarks and jests at her expense would
be hard to bear.
If she could only avoid Miss
Churchill as she did the Percivals and
Mr.. Reichelm
That was impossible. She would
consider it her duty to be oaciously
friendly to Charles visitors, and all her
tact would be required to ward of the
disagroeable subjects introduced on
every occasion.
For son . time her fears were ground
less. Sue Churchill had nothing disa.
greeable to relate, and Charlotte began
to hope she had, for once, escaped Mill.
wood curiosity, till one unfortunate day
they met at Mr.. Charles Hildreth's.
A dinner party at Mrs. Charles Hill.
dreth's was always dull, and the pres
ence of Miss Churchill rendered it al
most insurportable to Charlotte and
her friends.
Mr.. Hildreth, naturally dignifiee
aud calm, became restless and irritable
| under the inliction Of her long, ram
bling speeches. She severely taxed hi
temper and Mrs. H,ldreth's politeness
They were sitting in the drawin,
room. after dinner-Miss Churchill
unusually silent: calm before
storm.
Charles venturcd a remark, but wa
interrupted by a new idea of Mis-
Churchill
"How do you like Mr.. Reichelm
Miss Hastings !"
~ never met a gentleman of tha
name," replied Miss Hastings.
"Never met Paul Reichelm p re
peated Miss Churchill; "why ! I sup
posed he had called on you at frs
He is special friend Of Charlotte's.
| Charlotte's face grew scarlet beneat
her brothers look Of angry surpris'
but her manner was unconcorned, ,
she answered:
II cannot imagine, Sue, Why 20
, Considep Mr.. Raichalm nv frianf