Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-10-06

Fred" were more than those called fol
by the ordinary requirements of society.
1t had been great blow to her to be
suddenly whirled Tout of the vortex Of
London gaiety, to be buried alive in the
little town where much OF her childhood
had passed, under her aunt's care. But
she was far too polite to murmur loudly,
and when her relative died, it was with
the firm conviction that all Maude's ten.
der care and devotion we're dictated by
warmest affection. 1t was singularly
characteristic of Miss Pierson that in her
will she stipulated that Maude should
return to London six months after her
death, and wear no mourning. In one
of their last interviews she said to her
"You will soon be twenty-five, Maude,
and you shall not bury yourself here
next winter. 1t might ruin your pros
poets of good match"
And Maude, secretly exultant, wept
copiously as she assured her dear aunt
that "Society would have no charms for
her were she to be deprived of her life
long companion"
Yet the six months dragged YEARLY
when she thought of Lord Frederick
Seymour. Would he love her better for
her golden charms, Or did he know her
fortune, after all was small, compared
with his own princely income? Had a
fairer face eclipsed her memory?
Carefully during the long summer did
the beautiful brunette cherish her own
charms, and gloriously did they repay
her care when she burst upon her old
friends, more superbly handsome than
ever, at Lady Ralston's reception.
Esther Worthington. looking at. her
as she entered the room, turned to her
companion, saying, in low tone:
els not that Miss Pierson
eyes. Is she not handsome?"
"Magnificently SO! I can scarcely
imagine more queenly beauty. She
was not very pretty child, dark and
thin. Will she recognize me, I wonder,
as easily as do her?'
"You were children when you last
met %
"About twelve years old: but we
lived near each other for six years before
that. Will she look down upon me now
as scornfully as she did then ?"
"Hush, you pain mel" was the re-
ply. "Try to forget the dark days."
"Nay, ior they make happy ones all
the brighter" was the gentle reply.
" Bow to your partner /"
For the music of the quadrille sounded
in the long room, and attention was re-
quired to the intricacies through which
Miss Worthington and her partner pro-
posed to lead their set.
When it was over, Esther, leaning Oh
her partners arm, turned to find herself
Maudc Pierson. With
sweet smile, she extended her hand.
"Have you forgotten me?" she
asked.
81 remember you well," was the re-
ply, in freezing tone, "and confess
my surprise is very great to meet
charity girl amongst my friends"
GA charity girl I" cried several
voices.
"You may doubt me-" said Maud,
them, "but let Miss Worth
ington deny, if she can, that she was
taken from charity school to be the
maid of Mrs. Thurston, my
aunt's cousin and neighbor. Let her
deny, if she can, that she did a menials
work for years in their house. She may
palm herself off as Mrs. Mortimer's niece
upon strangers, but I, knowing her,
lecline the honor of her acquaintance"
The delicate, beautiful Esther Worth
ngton grew very pale during this in
,ulting address, but she drew herself
erect as haughtily as Maude Pierson
herself, as that young lady ceased to
speak.
"All you have said is quite true" she
'eplied, "and my only reason for con-
,ealing the facts you now force upon my
riends was the request of my dear aunt,
Mrs. Mortimer. Mrs. Hursey, Lady Raj
'ton, and several others of those who
lonor me with their friendship, know
veil the family history you force me to
'elate to our friends here. You will par
Ion me for obtruding my private affairs
lpon you;. but since Miss Pierson has
'ttacked my veracity, 1 must defend it.
Ny parents were married against the
wishes of my mothers father, who car
led his resentment to the grave, and cut
ny mother out of his will. When L was a
,abe, my father died; and my mother,
II, feeble, penniless, was taken to the
vorkhouse where she, too, died. He
lister, Mrs. Mortimer, was in Cana
la at the time, andEunaware of my exist
nee.
"What Miss Pierson has SO delicately
old you of my childhood is quite true.
was taken from the workhouse to fill
ervant's place; but my employers were
ind, and I was allowed to attend school
n the winter. 1 think they will testify
hat if my duties were menial, they we're
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