Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-05-25

unpleasant pages of his character
Maud said little, but thought them
rather unjust in their estimate, and
very much predjudiced. After little
more conversation, Mrs. Stanley made
her adieu and left them alone again.
"Well, Maud, you see l was right
in my judgment, and wish you would
not accept any more attention from
; Herbert"
But, dear mamma, like him; he
is SO handsome and agreeable, and
cOnverses SO pleasantly. Then you
know, he has money and good posi-
tiOn; what more could you desire for
me! There are plenty of young ladies
who would willingly exchange their
name for his any hour.r
$50 there are p.enty of foolish ones,
Maud, who do not look beneath the
surface until 10 late, and SO often are
mistaken made that render, in after
!. years. their days one long regret. You
know there are many examples of this
kind, and SO / would tain have my
daugter look deeper than mere exter-
nails, if she. desires happiness."
Mrs. Hamilton was wise woman,
and knew when enough had been said,
so she dropped the subject. trusting
to Maud's good common sense if her
words had been said in season.
Maud went mp to her pleasant cham
Der, and, sitting down by the window,
thought over what had been discussed
below, and, after long debate in her
OWN mind, concluded that they, her
mamma and Mrs. Stanley, must be
prejudiced, for she could not see why
such little blemishes of character should
materially affect ones happiness. She
would watch more earnestly, aud en-.
deavor to avoid danger.
But her fancy for Herbert Kingsley
was deeper than she had realized, and
when, in the pleasant gatherings, they
were often thrown together, aud, more
and more, his devotion became evi
dent and marked, Maud forgot the
caution, or thought it absurd. and be.
iieved that the few faults She perceiv-
ed could be easily remedied. SO she
driited into the bewildering dream
that colors all things with the purple
haze of beauty, and, day by day. Her
bert Kingsley Is influence grew greater,
and Maud would not hear one word
against him now. 1t was useless to
reason; she must learn that delusions
are the fairy scenes of ores life, but |
how often, and, sometimes, how soon,
the dream became a painful reality as
the years ran OH.
Maud knew Harry Browning was a
fine fellow, and fayOrite with the few
that he chose to make his friends.
Very plain, and sometimes almost
awkward, and wanting in many Of
those little graceful acts and ways
that charm before marriage, but speed
lily vanish in the practical world ofev-
cry day. He would make his way in
the world, while the other would never
rise above the position his fathers
money bad left him in.
But you cannot reason girls into
wisdom, if they won't be reasoned
with. So it was With my heroine.
Among her gentlemen acquaiutaues
these two seemed to be more serious
than others in their attentions, and,
as the days passed on, Herbert Kings
ley become more and more a visitor, ,
and gave Maud to understand that he
had never really been engaged to Alice /.
Rupert, and had cared to much for
to keep up the affair longer. There
had been some arrangement between c
The older ones, when he and Alice
were young that if they grew up, and
Jared for each other, they should mar
y L
Herbert Kingsley soon asked Maud
o hecome his wife, and she c0Dsenteh.
She had ceased to think OF her man
mas prejudices, and knew she would h
lot refr Sc what her heart was set mp :,
IN. Harry Browning's calls had be !,
,ome less frequent, as he noticed how :,
much more gracious she was to Kings ;,
ey than himself. So kind Mrs. Han- >,
lton ceased to speak of the matter s
vhen she saw it was of no use, and, n
utting her wishes aside, entered into :,