Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-08-02

selves justified in calling me fast"
said Kate.
"I know they do so," l replied !;
"but l fancy the reason is because you
are so different from what they were
when they were young"
"In what am l different ?" said
Kate. ais it because can ride Sal
adm without running the risk of
breaking my neck ?"
mo" l answered thoughtfully, alt
cannot be that. l ride well; so do
many young ladies | know; but no
one calls them fast for it"
"Then why in the world do | de-
| serve such a character ?" she said
again impatiently.
"Why," l answered, hesitating as I
spoke, "you shoot well, and say every
thing you think"
Kate laughed scornfully as she re.
piled:
$50 my title of fast is given me be-
cause l speak honestly, and know how
to use pistol properly"
Il suppose SO" | replied. "Those
are the only two things in which you
differ from the other girls l know"
"You must have some fine acquain-
tances, Madelaine, if | am the only
frank speaker among them," said
Kate.
ooh Kate" cried in distress, II do
not mean that. The difference be-
tween you and some others is that you
say almost all you think, while they
never say anything which politeness
forbids."
"Poiteness indeed p was the angry
reply; II dislike that word almost as
much as I do my mothers fayorite ex.
preston Of gentility."
"Now, Kate" | demonstrated, "that
is fast speech; well-bred young la
dies like both words, and use them
frequently
Thank Heaven l am not one Of
themI p was the abrupt comment.
What do you imagine any of those
| good ladies at Clifton would think if
they heard you say you did not like
anything because it was genteel? p ]
continued.
THAT will do, Madelaine," said
Kate. al care not to jot what any
of them think Of me-"
"But you should do So" | said
Each one of US owes Difference of
opinion and prejudices of others"
| "Madelaine, " was the next half an
CRY, half amused question, "are yor
lecturing me?"
NO. l replied; yet with a suspi
cion thai | was nearly doing some
thing of the kind.
Two soft arms were around M
neck in a moment, loving, laughing
bright face was lifted to mine, twt
rosy lips rested on my cheek. "Mad
dy, darling, forgive me | am so i'm
patient" said a gentle voice; anG
that was the worst quarrel we evel
had.
| Kate was too honorable to CORE
| spond with Raymond. At their las
interview she told him not to seek bel
presence again, or even write to her
until his parents had altered their de
cision, for she would never marry hin
without their approval. 1t was il
vain he entreated and stormed. Kat,
was as firm as a rock, and thougl
Raymond might think her decision
hard he could but respect her tn
more for it.
Our host, Mr. Denbigh, was ner
yous invalid. | should imagine hin
to be about fifty, but his delicate healtI
made him some years older.
Talk of old maids: Miss DenbigI
was one. Years ago she had lover
a gallant young officer, who was OIL
: dered with his regiment abroad. II
! asked her to go with him, but ho,
could she leave her blind brother an
; feeble old mother? Though the 10,
and brightness of her heart went wit
' him, she never hesitated for a momen
: to sacrifice the happiness and love o
: her life cheeriully; and she neye
r murmured. After her young love
| set sail she devoted herself to thos
who depended so entirely upon hel
No one who looked upon Margare
Denbigh's cheerful resolute face, Q
heard the gay tones of her voic
e would imagine that her heart lay bu
i led in an early grave. Upon her th
management Of the little househol
= devolved. She waited upon her mott
d er, amused her brother by readin'
singing and talking to him, superil
e tended the domestic affairs, and Wa
in short, a brisk, active, lively woman
e Her brother never left the house wit
out her. She was his right hand
g everything.
Q One morning while we were seate
l at the breakfast table, postGan bro
q large blue letter, the very envelop
n speaking of business. Miss Denbie
o read it, and seemed rather anxious ;
! she did so.
q "Here is news, Paul." she said
7, her brother. "That lawsuit comes {
e tomorrow, and we must be in Londt
'e by tomorrow afternoon" He locke
'e helplessly at her.
'r at is all right" she added, rea
suringly; "a train leaves Rottingde;
at eleven. We have plenty of tim
r The only thing that troubles me
20 leaving our young visitors alone.
am afraid they will think us rud
t. but it is unavoidable. You see. U
D. DEAR" she continued turning to Kat
~ "this lawsuit has been going On f
he years and years. If we win il,
~ will add five hundred per annum
'e our not over large income"
v, al sincerely hope you will do s
ao m Miss Denbigh," said Kate warmly.
40 : $50 do l, my DEAR" said Miss De
bigh; "it will be decided to-morro
IL But what will you do? Ihave no til
= to get any one to come and stay wi
~ ~ you. We must start directly"
he ave shall be all right" repli
90 Kate. II can take care of the hou
.lv Miss Denbigh, and all in it."
$50 l believe" she said, smiling
ne "It is of the night am thinking.
%. Shall you not be nervous at sleepi
here alone? 2"