The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-06-06
NUMBER IS.

NUMBER Is.
a message was brought her shet Miss Lester
would be glad to see her up stairs. She found
her friend at little writing table, Id sort q
boudoir between their rooms, whore the girls
used to work and read In the mornings, and
receive calls from their iStimote friends.
"There" ssid Msrgaret, rising as abe en-
tered ''sit down there, Jessie, and read what
have written; you are TO copy 1t In your
answer to the doctors letter. Road 10 aloud
to me; want to hear how 1t sounds.p
Jessie read as follows: s-.f
~ highly approve Of your wish 10 marry.
and think can help you In the meter.
have some one In my mind that comes pretty
well mp to your different requiremerts-at
least those yon have speoi6ed; Tor Of course
more things which you want, but have NOT
mentioned. Moreover, this young woman is q
dear friend of mine and ID willing to marry, if
she can be satis6ed. She says she win 60 to
shellbeach and stay with . relation, i'm
order to see and to be seen, on condition that
you will be at her disposal TO reason able de-
gree during her visit, which che will limit to
you will write her true statement Of how YOU
stand affected toward her. On her part, abe
Will promise to marry You, If by that time you
both desire 1T. may as we'll tell you shsther
name is Margaret Lester, and that che will
stay with old Misc Spelman, with whom you
are on suoh friendly terms. This whole matter.
yoq will understand. 10 to rest between you,
Miss Lester, and myself"
(, Jessie was too, much accustomed to her
friends eccentricities to be very much aston
ished by this unexpected termination to their
morning's conversation. She disapproved,
however, of the whole affair, and demonstrated
as strongly as she dared; but she he'd grown to
defer to Margarets stronger will, aud now felt
II impossible to oppose her. Besides" 90
Margaret eaid, "what could be more natural
than that she should go to stay with old Auut
Selinaf 1t was only what she ought to have
done BEFORE And, to crown all, Jessie was
informed that letter had been already writ.
ten and sent to Miss spelman, and Margaret
intended to 60, at any rate. .-...
The discussion lssted some time, and ended
by Jessie's unwillingly placing herself ut the
desk and writing letter, which, though it
contained the exact words, of the copy given
above, also enlarged, in Jessie's own affection
ate language, on her friends good qualities,
attractions, and popularity, and had nearly AL
uded to the very handsome income, which
would SO far exceed the doctors not unreason-
able demand. Bat that Margaret cut short it
her to have little pin.monsy; for Of course
le would expect to support the family, If he
ad any spirit, and II he had not, she would
have nothing to do with him. Poor Jessie,
yroaped over Margaret's downright speeches,
'ut did not attempt to change her decision.
rhe letter was at last sealed and sent, and
Jessie could only wonder at Margareps high
piritS for the rest of the day. She had never
ooked handsomer, or been more amusing, or
'layed more finely than on that evening, when
frs, Edgar gave little party. She was so
ind to the young men, that they all were
harmed With her and with themselves, and
ute expanded under the warmth of her
right smiles. .t .......... ..a-
Jessie, on the contrary, was preoccupied and
She felt uncomfortable at what
he had done, at the thought of tho seoret she
ras keeping from her mother, and troubled
yhen she remem bered the approaching separa-
ion from her friend. How she wished Marga-
st were not 90 hard to please Why could she
OF like that pleasant Mr.. Lotbrop, WhO was
, handsome, 30 rich, and who wouid 80 gladly
ave awaited himself of the smallest encour-
cement to make her offer How kindly che
Diled on him tonight! Why couldn't she be
ltisied with pleasing himf And then what
as the chance that this fastidious girl would
Ike fancy to DR.. james, whom, though she
id mover seen, che believed to be plain and
What could come of it, except
ouble for the poor mani OF course he would
IL in love with Margaret, while she would
ink of nothing bat amusing herself "AndI
all have been the instrument of bringing dis
'pointment and unhsPpiness to Philips
usin and dearest friend.' if.. =.
All these thoughts kept Jessie in very I'M
Iviable state Of mind during the evening, aud
10 was thankful when che could escape TO her
vn room, and write q long letter, before
ling to bed, to her absent lover; of course
It disclosing MaEgaEets secret. bat disbuE