The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-03-09
NUMBER Sc.

long"
81 am not offended, only surprised
for an instant, that that gay young
mind of yours should have thought it
worth while to rest its thoughts ON me"
said Miss Mortimer, with smile which,
instead of lighting up her face, appear
cd only to sadden it still more; $50
!. speak on, Helen, and tell me what it 10
T you wish to ask: there is question in
your very eyes"
"There is" said Helen, "and am
going to be bold enough to ask it, be-
cause 1attel myself 1 am little biz
of pet of yours. / want you to let
me be friend" 10
':No, no." cried Miss Mortimer quick
| ly, as if a serpent had stung her,
clenching her hands and contracting
her brows as if from acute pain; "No,
no, no, Helen F! anything in the world
but friend! Be my pet, my sole
companion, my self-invited but always
welcome guest; but never, never friend.
Now, child, go on"
The words were uttered with mo-
mentary sharpness, but the tone was
one to which the young girl was ac-
customed; she took but little notice Of
it beyond quick glance, half fearful,
half ,nterrogative, and then continued.
"Then l will tell yon my thoughts,"
she said. 81 have been wondering to
myself, and have often wondered ever
since / knew you, how it ever happen
ed that you, with all your acquire.
ments; your accomplishments, your
worldly position, and, dear Miss Nor
timer, above all things, your appear.
ance, which, without shadow of fat.
terry, only fascinated me just as it has
fascinated all whom you ever allowed
to have the privilege of your acquain.
tance--how did it ever happen that
you never-that you still an mean
s'Seize the obnoxious word braveiy,
Helen," said Miss Mortimer, smilingiy.
"Say at once, soid maid = The sound
conveys no annoyance to me. I have
borne the title for many a long year,
. and shall carry it to my grave. But
you are young, Helen; so young, that
you have yet to learn that there IL
scarcely a single woman in the world
who is not SO more from choice than
necessity. All, or almost all, have
had their Opportunities, and either re.
jected or suffered them to escape nay,
more than this, most of them could, II
they chose, attribute their state to one
pervading cause"
"To disappointment" said Helen;
under her voice; as if she felt she were
treading on tender ground.
Sometimes; but more frequently to
some episode in their lives, !" replied
the elder lady, as she closed her lips
firmly, as though the words. had called
up some very pitifulmemory. At last,
suddenly tohsing herself, she turned to
the young girl, whose eyes wee still
fixed upon her with much of curiosity,
and something of awe. "Would you
like to hear one of these episodes ~
she said. "Would you like, child a.
you ore, to sit at my feet this Christ
mas Eve; and hear; for once in way,
a real true. story, one Of many that
could tell you, but the one Of all others
for the veracity OF which can vouch -
An eager look of assent passed over
the soang girls face, and words trem-
blcd on her lips.
"Iknow what you are going to ask, {"
continued Miss Mortimer, with nervous
rapidity; '!but ask nothing merely
listen. Iwarn you that it is love.
s,ors !; and it has this advantage, that;
until this moment, It has never been
told to a mortal soul"
SIT is your own story" Whispered
Helen, ard she clasped Miss Mortimer's
hand eagerly within her own.
81 don't know why tell you," was
the evasive reply, except that you
have unselfshly insisted on spending
dhany an evening with one who had
neither amusement nor conversation to
offer you in return, and ALSO" she
added, with faint smile, "because I
believe the young find a sort of NOR
bid enjoyment in love story, of which
not even the most painful details can
rob it. So now you shall hear it. ]
will slut my eyes, and try to live back
! again at least fige-and-twenty years,
and begin when was girl like you
like you in youth, Helen, bat not in
!, spirits; for yon are quiet and staid
: and, was the gayest of the gay"
"Gay!" echoed Helen, in tone o
surprise. W 81
!, eyes," said Miss Mortimer. HStrangs
4 1t seems, does it mott BnB few girl
. were ever more full of life and buoy
ant gaity than when + was first intro
;. duced Icame out Helen, under til
most favorable auspices. l had
l.. mother. long since deads Who va