Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-03-09
I suppose she hasn't reformed in that par
ticular, now she's a big one."

I suppose she hasn't reformed in that par
%ticular, o she's a big one"
"Big!" repeats the voice from the muf-
fers, "why, she isn't a bit larger than I
ann
"Well, she's a year older, anyhow, and
ought to know BETTER" replies Harold
s'but [ haven't the slightest doubt she's
| stopping to f1irt with some one, or two. or
half a dozen of her numerous admirers,
utterly regardless of the fact that THAT
is. you-to say nothing Of forty or fifty
Others, more or less intimate friends, are
freezing outside. Dan Van Rensselaer, is
buttoning on her gloves, or Will West is
fastening the straps Of her overshoes, or
some coi'founded nonsense or other. Cora,
it's my opinion that girl flirted in her era
die, made faces at her old lovers, and smil-
ed on the new. Alberta E-and she won't
let anyone soften it to 'Berta,'" he went
IL, apparently warming with his subject
''what a ridiculous name for such a mite !
For mite she is, and mite she will continue
to be, for all her scornful looks and naughty
ways"
ooh, Harold y exclaims the yelled voice,
with as much Indignation as is possible
under the circumstances. "HOw unjust
you are! She's not haughty-she's not
scornful-she's lovely She came to me
herself yesterday afteruoon-and [ happen
to know all the others had written invita-
tions-and begged we would join her sleigh
Ing party. It's to be a real old fashioned
affair." she said, and I want my real old
fashioned friends to GOMEZ"
Extremely understanding" interpo-
| lates Harold.
"And as for her name, she had nothing
to say about that, as you, if you have one
grain of common sense, must be aware
no more thar you did about yours. And
she'd rather be called BERTHE, a great deal /;
only her papa insists upon Alberta, and
consequently, like a good daughter, she i'll
sists upon Alberta too. He wanted a boy
when she was born, to be called Albert
that's his own name, you know; and when
d girl came instead, he said no girl should
interfere with his plans, and ne named her
Alberta, which is almost the same thing.
And it's just as well he did, for he never
had another child, girl or boy"
"Pity the boy hadn't come" grumbles
Harold.
For shame, brother !" exclaims the lit
tie woman, partly unfolding the veil that
hides her dimpled chin and rosy mouth,
that she may speak with greater effect.
How can you wish that there was a great
stupid young man instead of that dear
sweet girl for she is a dear sweet girl,
though you, 1 can't for the life of me see
why-neither can Fred-choose to be an
sry with her."
II didn't wish for "a great stupid young
man. in her place." explains Harold. with
a short laugh. "1'hat he would necessa-
rily lave been great and stupid only fem
mime logic can prove; its beyond me. But
if 'Alb-rt' had come first, and Alberta, by
some other anne. second, she wouldn't
have been al only child, as she is now,
petted and INDUCED in every whim and
ldlCy3 uLOll viz lLIdS iICo HClOCiI @ luCCu
and all the world her slaves"
You said "a princess a few moments
ago. says Cora, demurely.
And perhaps she wouldn't be smiling
on that grinning idiot, Dan Van Renssela-
er-they say she's going to marry him, his
fortune equalilg her own, and his great
Observation-Disclosures having been
one of the very first Dutchmen hat landed
on these sllores-and turning away from
2the fellow she has known from her infan-
cy, and who has-W Ned, keep still!
Why the deuce don't she and her troupe
make their appearance ?"
They don't make their appearance, and
Cora begins to talk again.
Harold, you wrong Alberta indeed
you do. 1t is'you that are foolishly proud
not she. When she vent abroad, she left
US rich when she came back, she found
us poor; and yet she had only been home
two days when she sought US out. And
how did you receive her? In the coolest
manner; and then raved and swore when
| she was gone-you needn't contradict me;
| I distinctly remember two very wicked
| words you said-because she didn't rush
into yonr arms and kiss you at meeting, as
she did at parting, three years before.
Can't YOU understand, you horrid, SPLEEN
did old boy, that what is just allowable in
a girl of fifteen would be highly improper
in a young lady of eighteen? And you've
only called upon her once since her return
once in SIX long months; and pray what
did your lords:ip do on that occasion !?
Scowled and growled and snapped at Louis
Vance in such a ferocious that he
told my Fred-pnor Fred! what a pity
they're taking count Of stock tonight !
he actually thought with a little chuckle,
''you were losing your senses. And what's
| more, Mr.. Harold BroWn'-and the dim
pied chin is thrust forward defantly-''I
think, and so does Fred, that it's your
duty to apologize for the way you BEHAVED
that evening. And | don't believe she's
engaged to Dan Van Rensselaer, at all.
That was only a rumor that foated over
here from Paris, and [ see no reason why
you should accept it for the blessed truth
any mere than you do the thousand and
one idle reports that are always floating
about. And Harold, if you really love
her, why don't you tell her SO Fred told
me the moment he found out. But there!
1 sha'n'J talk any more; it's no use."
SIT is pot, declares Harold, with en-
phasis; "for unless, by some unforeseen
as poor as myself, and [ don't believe the
wheel contemplates any such turn, 1 shall
never speak of love to Miss Alberta Lee"
Rude, obstinate, wretched boy.'' scolds
! the little sister. 81 wash nv hands of Won.