Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-03-11
TIE TEST.

clam beautiful" murmured Lora
Dean, as she stood before the mirror
smiling at the fsce reflected there, "an6
l know very we'll that Edward Earle Ii
not Indifferent to beauty, although hi
is engaged to my plain little saint of {
cousin, Flo. l do not really think sht
cares so very much for him, and if she
does-pshaw! have nothing but my
handsome face to depend upon. so must
make the best of it, and let others look
! out for themselves. .....-
Lora Dean was certainly beautiful
Her hair was black as the ravens wing
and lay in thick, heavy coils upon her
shapely head; eyes of velvet blackness
which their owner could at will cause
to flash defantly, or droop in sweet
innocent confusion; cheeks and lips
like scarlet roses, and teeth rivsling
pearls in whiteness. She was little
above the medium height, and her
elegant carriage would grace queen.
Miss Dean was an orphan, and lived
with her aunt in the city of New York,
but had accepted her cousin Rays in
vitation to spend a few months with
her in the country. Here she met
Edward Earle, Flo's betrothed hus
band. He was handsome, talented and
wealthy, and this beautiful unprinci-
pied girl was not long in making up
her mind to throw all her arts into the
contest, and win him for herself, thus
ending long struggle between pride
and poverty, which threated the hap
piness Of the future, even though the
result might be the wreck of her cou~
sims happiness.
Il declare! 1t is almost FIVE o'clock
continued Miss Dean, petulantly, glanc
ing at her watch. "Flo promised tc
help me dress for the party. l do
wish she would come"
AS if in answer to her wish, the door
opened, and Florence Ray entered the
room. She was plain-no one could
think of calling her anything else
yet there was an expression Of lnno-
cence and purity in that sweet gentle
face, and speaking from those soulful
eyes, which attracted every one, and to
know her was to love her.
ooh, Flo! I am SO glad you have
comet" And the treacherous face was
wreathed in smiles. 81 want you to do
my hair just the best you can.
know I'm great bother, but you are a
darling and won't mind"
Florence kissed the pouting red lips
her cousin held up to her.
''No, COZ, you are not bother. II
is pleasure for me to help you"
| "Flo, do you think am very beau
tiful?" said Lora, when her cousin stood
unwinding the coils of her magnificent
hair.
eyes, dear, l wish 1 were half as
beautiful"
II wonder if Edward Earle thinks so,
too" she said, watching Flo through
her half closed lids.
'Why7" #ts
81 mean to win him fl can"
'Lora!" said Florence, her face flush
ing, then turning pale. "You know
Edward is my affianced."
"Well, supposing he is; if he would
leave you for beautiful face he is moi
| worthy of you. Florence, dare you let
this be test to see if he will remain
true?'
Did there creep a doubt into the
girls mind that caused her to hesitate
and for moment to remain silent!
When she spoke, it was with white,
yet determined face, and her voice
| sounded strange and cold. @
81 am willing"
But Florence's heart fell within her
when her cousins toilet was finished
and she stood before her, very queen
in her rich robes of silk and lace, witt
g,ittering diamonds in her ears and al
her throat. ssW ould she stand the
-test?" she asked herself. n
/ Every eye was turned toward Miss
Dean that evening when she swept in.
to the parlors. Her beatty, and gay
| sparkling manner, soon brought {
crowd of admirers around her, and
lured by those bright eyes, Edward
Earle found himself among them.
Florence Ray only needed that on
evening to tell how tue contest woult
be the winner, yet shp had herself con