The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-03-09
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CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.
nrst season. in my second these were
doubled; but as year after year passed
saitor after snitor was rejected, and
although had been three years ont,
was still unmarried. In vain my
mother reasoned with me, and my sis
ter scolded me; was not only diff
cult but impossible to please l saw
no one the least likely to make an i'm
preston on me, or rather, | never
allowed any to have the chance. Helen
can you guess why this was? Can
you guess why l was so apparently
callous7 I will tell yon to what my
mother and sister angrily imputed my
insensibility, for the cause is not likely
TO occur to you; it was, that 1 saw the
world through other eyes than my own,
] had no powers of decision, | had no
iudgment-I was under an influence.
which as never felt it oppressive, was
rather pleasing to me than otherwise,
for loved the friend who possessed it,
and yielded implicitly TO her opinion
and her advice on every occasion. -
''Not good enough HESTER she would
constantly say; that man is not wor-
thy of You. Do not be in hurry, you
ought to do much BETTER and so she
said continually, till, completely own
ing her as the master mind and spirit,
] did nothing without her advice, adj
mired no one on whom her verdict had
not first been passed. 1t was foolish,
my dear Helen it was weak, and it
WAS childish; but such were my feel
ings; such is infatua:ion such it is 20
have O bosom friend"
For the second time this epithet was
pronounced by Miss Mortimer with an
information of bitterness and scorn
which, however, was but momentary.
10 another instant she regained her
self-command, and proceeded.
at is u well-known fact,' said she,
"that there are beings in this world
who seem born with the power of ex-
ercising the most singular influence
over others. Perhaps, had l known
this, should have been more on my
gnard, and resisted the spell; but it
was so quiet, so unohtrusive, so i'm
perceptible, that well, | placed all
my trust, aud poured ont all my heart
into the bosom of Edith Gresham,
without the remotest thought of doubt
or distrnst. As for her-how shall l
describe her friendship7 She was the
spirit that walked day and night by my
side, wordless. invisible, yet al!-power-
full to guide or to impel. Sometimes
/ felt her sway, and was half inclined
to rebel, but then, again succumbed."
allow singularly you have described
her." mrrmnred Helen. "You make
me creep, for she gives me the idea of
q vampire"
'.My mother" continued Miss Morti-
mer, chad seen this intimacy grow
from childhood; but it was not until
we were young girls out in the world
together that I saw she did not cor
daily approve it, and could not i'm
Rgine her reason. Edith Gresham was
plain, SO it could not be that my mother
Feared q rival for me; but, certainly.
had my mother had any fair excuse, I
am sure she would have broken off
he intimacy. However, it went on, as
t had gone on always, for years and
Tcars, and the power she was wont to
exercise over the choice of a ball-dress
oon began to be exerted over my love
fairs. Perhaps you may ask if she
lad not any of her own to occupy her? !
Yes, she had her opportunities as we'll
8 l had, but she used laughinglv to
ay she had never yet seen the being I
fanltless to suit her ideas !
s husband 'and besides, she would =
item say. i shall never marry till you !
o, Hester, l will not desert you till /
ee you safe in some good guardian a
nip
~ remember being much touched by
lis proof of Edith's devotion, and
lrprised that my mother was not 7
lually impressed by it. However, to
sss on. {
a
no BE Continued il
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