New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-09
.IFor the Sunday Republican.
RUTH GREY'S SECRET.
BIZ ZOE.

Only heed my advice, darling, and all
s7sslI be well / beseech you do not encour-
are his attentions. / have never formed so
grIfavorable an opinion of any one before.
Now viii you promise me, Ruth! Eyes; and
DO calm your fears, my dear aunt, for he
7Ei1o wins my heart will be the very anti
pades of Harry SOmers." Aunt Kate re-
summed her knitting alter heavy sigh
which was the escape valve to her fears and
troubles. Ahl-well would it have been for
me had needed her injunctions, and re-
these weary, weary years which have passed
Since then, and she, the good and pure,
Wno passed away with them; she whose
life was woven in the fabric of mine. All the
vsofs and threads are parted now. And
vixen so many cares and troubles load the
wings of time, and memory sweeps with
electric power across the regions of the
past, in my hearts agony cry out, oh! the
gift of memory is too cruel and were
fairy to offer me the choice, would pray
instead for a brimming full goblet of the
waters of forgetfulness.
oaIs account of my former life, 1 will only
give a slight sketch of my birth, parentage,
and few other etceteras, which constitute
u persons individuality. My father died
when was quite young. The climate of
India, and too close devotion to the bust
arsss which called him there, caused his
death. He had, however, succeeded so well
that he bequeathed large fortune to his
wife and child. The shock which my mother
received was too much for one who had al
ways been delicate. She lived on some
years in silent suffering, growing more and
lrnre frail, until at last the silver cord was
BEasened, and 1.-THE Finger of God touched
Bsr, and she slept" So then, when l was
kaEt fifteen years of age, the kind aunt to
whom / was confided by my mother, was
a1y only comfort and protector. l knew |
vac an heiress, but, in my overwhelming
gEsef, that was no solace. Wealth is the
tytGchstone of friendship; so | had enough
fsD4cfer coincidence. Sympathy falls as the
dew from Heaven ON some hearts; not so
with me. ] had ever preferred to hug my
sexrsws in secresy. My dry and arid heart
-ssGs best alone with its grief. The season
spent in mourning afforded me great relief.
Al length | noticed desire on my aunt's
Rart that should throw aside my habili-
uzents of woe and mingle in the gay world.
She felt that II was too young to remain Sc
secluded and she also told me that society
had claims upon us, which inclination, how
ever strong, could not resist" Unwilling at
1frst'to obey flor had learned to love my
quiet life), l had at last to yield to the man
dates, and after being three years recluse.
Each day found me in consultation with
B1iIliners and dress-makers, in an effort to
make me presentable in the beaumonde. For
Bry the face which was reflected in my mir
pfr morning, noon, and night, l was com
piled to acknowledge that it certainly was
not one calculated to make mems hearts
ache-for was ugly-there was no denying
5a3- / could not discover anything smooth
az regular about my face, and l was too
much inclined to obesity to find any soft
sfuflines about my figure All these homely
truths cost me many sigh. My education
ard intellect were pretty fair, and my dis
Tpls5tion, all said, was amable. True, was
never thwarted, being the pet and idol of
NV aunt. l had not loved; but what was
that craving at my heart that nothing
fHTe6l A void which not even my
naHt's affection, nor my books, or
rhusic, could satisfy. / found out why
~ my sorrows The winter was one of un
zzsEal gaiety. Cards were received to a
Ia-ge party, and 1, plain and unattractive
Rlrth Grey, made expensive and extensive
preparations for the same. 1 felt too pain
fully conscious of my want of beauty, to
c5.E,,k of being belle. 1t was i'll vain that
Madame p. fitted me, as she raised her eyes
azd said "A me'peiHe!" for my unwieldy
figure uould run out erery'chere in redund-
sryrcies, and my parure of flashing diamonds
c,1,lH not set off my sallow complexion.
The rooms were already thronged with
.russts when / entered. A nervous and
sf,xiuking trembling almost convulsed me,
f;v- was a debutdnte. 1t did not continue
E.,yo. however. was soon surrounded, for
~ was generally known in short time that
So. Ia;ress had come One after another of
AS. gnests were introduced. Oh, money!
.rv,.,ep, What magic there is in that word.
xxyhsxf a combination of fantasies float upon
ga, brain at the mere mention. How much
v5ss crowded within the shadow of that dis
zuIqahye. accidentally overheard sharp