The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-21

thing, eot0 eugr1ly 20 ~ rnoouon ~ sno mhfor'
ing me, but alas, In my tremulons eagerness to
arrange Il, snappsd The stock OF short and 1t
would not STAY among the soft limp tresses Of my
hair. think could.hsys cried With yexstion, II
lowed Hseeie 70 the drswingroom. II was bril-
lianty Lighted, and bright fire blased in the
chimney, throwing glory Of brightness over the
masses Of gliding and amber draperies-the most
dsadvantsgeoos sckeround 10 the .ori6 for me- :.
that at the fst glance how could II be otherwise
/ remember her 90 we'll that evening entered.
reclining languidly in low amber fautsuil, her
face. ell but her splendid eye, shaded from the
fire by large black fan. She dropped Il slowly,
90 came toward the group, bat did not stir from
This is Kstie,r said Mr.. Calvert. coming for.
ward and kissing me, /" Yolands, this Is Cnsrlie's
Then she rose and put out one slender hand
covered with jewels, and smiled. It seemed to me
% If there was tnge Of disdain 10 her we'll Bred
courteous manner, not an atom OF warmth certain
ly. Let me paint her picture for you, little mo-
sss. and p1sody Sssd as1
we're not regular, but abe had bright complexion,
and more varying expression than any one else
/ saw. She wore black velvet dress, cut square
and trimmed with point lace, and In her dark hair
Q cluster Of scarlet pomegranates--I understood
at once Why Charlie wanted nae to wear white and
pink that evnning. Was 1t my oversentiveness, ,or
did detect o shade of disappointment on his
handsome face as be saw Us standing side by side
In the full blaze of the wax-lights. at
/" Charlie 2, I whispsred. .anxionsly. ~ he eame
TO my side AFTER dinner, do you admire her very
much," 81 Af4.t Ltfl
mo, darling, I can fancy some men being crazy
about her, but she il not the sort OF woman care
for" .
81 can fancy some men being crazy about her."
repeated to myself many q time afterward, and
then wild longing to be worshiped surged up in
my heart. No, that was not for me. could never
have learned the pretty airs and coquetries that
m en- find 30 charming. could have caressed and
fattered and piqued them by turns, and loved, or
seem 10 love, half Q dozen in quick succession.
No. could only love dearly and faithfully and
love only once my whole life through. watched
made herself to every one. She was full of tact,
and knew how to interest and fatter each. She
seemed to read their thoughts-to divine at once
what was nearest to every ones heart. could
Maggie watched her with undisguised admiration;
even papa frightened when she talked to him and
looked more eager and interested than had eyer
seen him before. She scarcely spoke or looked
at Charlie-if she did. 1t was with pretty little
appealing manner, as II spologizng for intruding
herself on some one to whom she had no right.
at dinner she led the conversation; afterward she
sang so sweetly we all listened enthrslled. the
tears coming in our eyes, and when she rose from
the piano, stately with glistening eyes, her neck
lisrly her own, and smile Of corscious power
on her lips, trembled and shivered. For myself,
was silent, weighed upon with hesviness; deeply,
painfully conscious OF my own inferiority.
30 utterly unattractive. and an agonizing fear
filed me that Charlie thought so too.
Even was fascinated by YoIande Pelham
Intensely as / feared her, i could not hate her,
not then at least God forgive me all the pas
sionste anger of heart have felt her since. Day
IL H. Nj
watches the snake. Papa used to say was
wonderful judge of character for young girl,
and think read hers through. You would have
thought, little mother. she possessed passionate,
impulsive nature her red. full mouth and SPLEEN
did eyes seemed to hide volumes of suppressed
FIRE. She had that open, steadfast gaze you could
not have helped but believed her true and honest,
and yet that was ell false, mothers lie written
on q fair page. She was as cold and self-con.
tanned ss ice. She could simulate every feeling,
every passion. that makes men worship woman,
and yet keep the most perfect mastery over her.
SELF She never knew what Ii was TO feel love !;
she only cared for power and the vanity of max
ing men her slaves; they must come at her beck
and call. fetch and carry for her like dog, and
when she had done with them she cast them of
like an old glove. And you would have believed
her, and men did believe her. the softest gentlest,
most loveable creature in the world; as depend
ent on them as child; as loving as trusting, as
the purest, most tenderhearted woman God ever
made. Oh, mother why is falseness allowed to
triumph like that! Why Is mere selfish vanity
permitted to reign supreme, while faithful, loving
hearts are despised and condemned.
There were unusual festivities at the Hall during
the month that the Pelhams stayed there, and
Yolande made the conquest Of every man who
came. They all hung over her chair fattered
her, sought her society, and she had smiles for
them all her eyes were bright for each in turn,
her voice low and caressDg. was also there too;
as matter of course, was invited, and could
not keep away. Charlie came very seldom to the
Rectory after the first ten days there was always
some excuse; when he did, his manner was Inst
too my heart was full. dared not speak lest he
should hear the tears in my voice. Oh, Charlie
when think now, to-day, how loved you. how
my heart was torn with anguish when saw your
love slipping slowly, surely sway from me. my
my darling! my darling IL you could only have
known how true and faithful my heart would al
ways be to you, would you have cared so much
more for bright eyes and q brilliant wit than the
love that never would have failed you till your
life's end or mine. .--.ss fa.,t
At the Hall l watched breathlessly, my very
soul In my eyes, saw him growing restless,
moody, miserable, when Yolande talked with
other men; saw him brighten and soften when
she turned to him, and then / saw her let her
maddenDg eyes Il felt they were maddening TO
men) dwell yearningly, lingerngly on him, and
fall slowly. sadly, consciously away, and she
would sigh littls low sigh. then smouldering,
stified fire would blaze up Suddenly 10 his face.
Then hated her-oh God how hated her.
Do weary you. little mother, sitting there 30
patiently, your hands folded, your eyes still wet
with divine pity II am to the end now.
II was one afternoon in February, clear cold
day with q bright sky. bad been expecting
Charlie; be had promised to come down and
fetch me; but Maggie came instead. We sat to-
gether for some time. and then fetched my hat
TO go with her up to the hall. II was almos, dark
when we reached the door.
"Go into the drawing room. Katie" she said,
al want to see Stevens; I will be with you
The door was sjar, and entered. The room
was nearly dark, and l went up to the fireplace
and put one foot on the fender. Suddenly
started-I was not alone-the sound of voices
came from behind the half-drawn curtains that
covered the embrasure Of the window.
"Yolande, must go away; cannot bear this
torture any longer IL drives me mad TO see other