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


Msroeret's mother died when she was about
fourteen years old, and her father, unwilling
IN take the direction Of his daughters ednca'
tiou. placed her ut an excellent ooafoins
sohool. where no expense was spared TO gNo
her every advantage, and where, beng posieeS
IL bsppy. she remained until she was nine
tam. IL was ct this school that abe formed
tbe fsssadship with Jessie Edgar which was
>stervsrd TO be 90 great benefit TO her. Jes-
ale was the second daughter Of . wealthy Ne"
York family, and It was ut her home that
Margaret passed her fret Christmas vacation
and all her succeeding holidays.
Jessie's gentle, yielding nature found grea'
endowment in Margaret's boldness and self
reliance, and Margaret, who began by protect
ing and supporting the others timidity ana
sbyness. ended by heartily admiring and low
ing her sweet and unselfsh roommate. ihey
became inseparables," in schoolgirl phrase
and when school-days were over, and nat Les
ter tboupbt that the best completion to his
aaaehter's education would be little travel
inc Jessie's mother consented to her ac-
companying her dear friend. For two years
they visited beautiful places together, and
felt their friendship drawn more closely as
their sympathies became enlarged.
But this happy experience came to sudden
and sorrowful end. Mr.. Lester had terrible
fall while they were coming down mountain
and. after lingering few weeks In extreme
sufEeripg. died, leaving the two girls quite
alone in . oreignland. They had asad journey
home he had been the life and soul OF their
expedition, and, having travelled good deal
before. had been able to be the pleasantest
kind Il n guide for them. 1t had been hard to
preyail on Margaret to leave the Swiss town
where he lay buried in the little graveyard;
but Jessie's love prevailed, and they came
safely back together to Mrs. Edgars hospitable
house. Once there, the kind friends would
not let Margaret think Of leaving them, and
Ine had grown to consider the pleasant house
almost % her own homo.
It was long bsfore she recovered her high
spirits, but at twenty-three she was induced to
no into society with Jessie, who had waited
for her. She was, from every point Of view,
q desirable mstch-youug, rich, and fne-look-
ing gay and good-humored. Pleased with
herself and her surrounding, she thoroughly
enjoyed her first season, and was unmistakbiy
abelle. The next year, however, was disap
pointment there was a sameness In her hf'
and smusements that BECAME irritating 70 her
Jessie was engaged to be married, and Marga
ret found herself Jealous of her friends divided
confidence. But, though she said to JESSIE
that che would like to follow her example, st
Do able to sympathize with lovers rhspsodies,
like the princess In the fairy-tale, abe foun
fault with all her admirers /; criticised them
nick-named them, and discouraged their stteu
tions a. soon "a these became exclusive.
very Ray summer at fashionable watering
place followed this wearisome winter, an
Margaret entered upon her third season dil
posed for anything hut enjoyment. No on
who saw her in society would have guesse
her real character. High-spirited, gay, likin
to astonish and slightly shock her friends b
her behavior, q little of what is termed ="
trainer" there lay underneath this careless e1
terror q depth of real sentiment that only on
or two people whom she truly loved wei
aware Of To be loved for herself, and to Low
were her aspirations.
First she was perfectly aware of her ow
attractions, and believed she could ha'
almost any man Of her acquaintance, If sl
should choose to make herself greeable
him but she could not believe in any on'
disinterested attachment to her.
"They all know I am rioh," she wo1ld 81
to Jessie they would not take me and povC
". Now, / would be glad If were poor,
marry q poor man then I could believe in l
love, and We could have some trials to be
together.
Secondly, she earnestly wished to love; b
9 this, with her, meant great deal. She Wal
ed to look up to Rome one, to honor and belle
in him she thought of this much moro tn
OF the sentiment; for she knew she shoU
And that with the rest. She was tired Of TAXI
the lead, and Of having her own way. H
gladly would she submit herself to q mo-
guide She imagined herselfIalmost Que
stepping down from her throne, resiGni
sOeptre and authority, and saying, with n
Proctor,
"L0ve truSts and for he gives, and gives .
"But these young men," abe said to Jes
." are 90 Intensely mAtter-of-factl They wo
fhink my brain SofteniDg, il they knew W
wanted and expected to find" At NnOt
time she said, " If Oould only find someth