The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1871-11-23
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UGLY BARBARA
OR. al wOaAN,s HEART.


Upon my word, Barbara, think you
grow uglier every day ]" said Earnest
Etherington, coolly, as he lighted his cigar
at the softly shining light beneath the rose
colored glass shade, and surveyed his tall
cousin as he did so.
Barbara Moyle shrank back as ifhe had
dealt her an actual corporeal blow. Poor
Barbara She had been watching all day
for the tardy train to bring her handsome
cousin from college She had brushed her
hair so carefully, and selected the very
prettiest white dress, trimmed with blue
ribbons, from her whole scanty wardrobe,
because she had once heard Earnest say
that he liked white, and hung the coral
drops that Uncle Montague had sent her
from India, IN her ears; and this was his
verdict, after all.
"I can't help it tP' cried Barbara, pas
sionately, while every drop of blood that
was in her body seemed to concentrate it
selfin her burning cheeks. 81 know I'm
great, ugly, gawky thing; butyou oughtn't
to twit me with it, cousin Earnest"
Mrs. Etherington, kind, motherly soul
that she was, was in the dining room, busy
with preserves and tarts innumerable to
tempt her newly arrived sons appetite
when Barbara rushed in like whirIwind
"Aunt Efie, tell me; am so very
ugly?"
Goodness graciousP' cried Mrs Ether
ington, nearly upsetting a glass dish of
ounce Jelly in her amazement What
has come to the child? What on earth do
you mean, Barbara
Earnest says am ugher than ever"
sobbed the tall, ungainly girl, as she sank
| despairIngly on the cushions in front of
| the looking glass.
Hes only teasing you, dear"
mo, he's not. He is speaking the
truth But don't think he ought to tell
me so >" --
Barbara surveyed herself with dolorous
earnestness. A swarthy, not to say mud
dy complexion; heavy brown hair, ar
ranged very unbecomingly, and great
wine dark eyes; lips too thick for beauty,
and features whose heavy mould, however
much it might promise for the future, was
certainly grofesquely inappropriate for a
girl Of ffteen-all these returned no an
swering delight
81 am ugly" sighed Barbara, Fand
Earnest only spoke the truth. Oh, Aunt
EtfiA,; wish Iswere man. An ugly wo-
man is like a soundless instrument OF
colorless flowers. Men can fight against
their own fate, and make themselves q
place in the world; women are utterly
hopeless
And from that time Barbara Moyle'.
character seemed to undergo achange, i'm
perceptible yet entire. She withdrew more
within herself; she cultivated mental re-
sources, and depended less upon the com
panionship and approval of others.
"Dear me p sighed kind Aunt Ether
.NrllrT Rar ho ZEN
growing stroug-minded. If she shoulC
! turn public lecturer or artist or authoress
really don't know how could stand it.
"Let herSalone, MOTHER said Earnest
1 ,,All girls have TO undergo transition
state, and l always thought there wa
more than common in little Barbara.
r she wasn't so ugly. i really should get in
1 terested in her. Iaiways did ike TO stud,
character G.ssfl g. d. If
tWell," said Mrs -Etherington dubi
ously, "she isn't handsome, but for all tha
l don't know how I.ceuld spare Barbara
81 don't love him, !" said Barbara Moyl
Immediately to herself, "but shall acceP
him. l want to prove to Earnest tina
there Is some one who thinks me not al
solutely fIightful - 5Ea f---a
A dangerous. experiment, Barbara, an
one that many woman wiser than yo
has lived to repent. Marriages froI
pique are the marriages which suppl
&c divorce courts with sorrowful tales an
blighted hearts. ha -t sr ls cE.
But Barbara confded her secret sent
ment to mo- one and Mrs Etheringto
. wrote 8 long account to Earnest, no
n lounging among the ruins of Pompeii an
r. Hereulaneum, of what brilliant mate
d. Barbara awascabode~tO make. Earnei
= wrote back congratulatory letter, an
: sent a lovely set of pink Neapolitan cora
= which Barbara never once put on. Co
e Allston made an ''old mans darling"
le her, and she had no lack Of brilliant jewe
As to wear Ii ~ -7
j sEAnd yet Barbara was miserable.
7 Z ssCbild; = said Mrs Etheripgton Oh
n evening, as she sat in the room Wink
Mrs. Allstons had Just entered, dressed f
ID a party; in eream-eolored silk and di
!. mondsJ 5-dos you know how you ha'
!, changed during the past year? / never
"a my life saw such an alteration IN any one
ie "Have ?'' said Barbara, Indifferent
u Yet, as she looked in the glass, she cou
Is not help but see It herself
Il wonder if Earnest would think u
ugly now f' she said, striving to spe'
~ lightly, but with q concealed tremOr
no her voice OF eli
ugly P' echoed Mrs Etherington, ''wh
nd Barbara, you are beautifulP ss
She was. The large features were
. harmony now with the rest of the faC
NJ the complexion had cleared to cream
softness, with roses blooming on b
~ cheeks and carnations on her lips t
IN nut brewn hair dropped in satin waves
is either side of ker head, and the large win
on dark eyes were full Of shadowy, myste
to Gus depths, beneath their fringed liz
AZ Yes, Barbara saw that she was fair to To-
upon, and her woman heart rejoiced wit
e. IN her.
As she turned, stately ndjewel-deckt
like an oriental Sultana, she saw thai
- stranger had entered the room una
ll' nouneed, and stood as if rooted to t
floor, close TO the doorway. H
Eyes, am Earnest Etherington,"
answered, shading his eyes, as if dazzl
by some overnight vision" But ps
"@ don me; l was told my cousin Barbl
OUT lived here"
the Mrs. EtheringtOn started to her feet.
IVA