Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-08-14

) Is s; ;sss T{ s ys e: s' sss
ut last, for I could never understand
how it was that my father had left me
utterly penniless 1t his dsn,ise. And
the motives of my GUARDIAN, in deceiv-
ing me thus, were easily diined. The
charge of intractibility was hlse. That
/ knew; for overcome with grief at the
loss of my dear father. and placed
among entire strangers, h,d passively
submitted to my lot. But I saw now
that kind of selfish, patemal instinct
had induced Mr.. and Mn. Smith to
place me 80 low in the scale of social
standing that there could b no possible
rivalry between their darlilg Lizzie and
their ward. And how blndly l had
furthered the scheme! Impressed with
the idea that was indebted to charity
for home, had bowed my neck to
the yoke, and offered my willing hands
to the work of a hireling, rather than
submit to the CALLING sense of depend
ence. Lizzie and had grown to wo-
manhood with divided interests and
pursuits. We we're always unlike in
character and person. Though two
years my senior Lizzie looked younger
than l by three years. She had an in
fantile, pink and white face; tall.
slender figure, and an abundance of
glossy, light brown hair. On the con-
trary, l was dark skinned, short and
sturdy in stature. Lizzie was called a
beauty. Rather good looking
young woman" was the highest COM
mendation ever awarded to my inferior
person. Lizzie had no open, glaring
vice, but she showed anindetinite num-
Der of petty faults, fruits of unlimited
maternal indulgence. She would not
boldly repeat an Out-and-Out lie, but
were anything to be gained by decep-
ton, she did not hesitate to deceive.
For instance, she asked me for nv
portfolio Of drawings to lay on the CEN
tire table and if Il visitor CHANGED to
commend her taste when looking at
my sketches, she managed to convey
the impression that they were literally
hers, without speaking an absolute false
hood.
I remember being called into the
parlor to receive some directions about
my sewing on the evening of the day
that learned that my father had left
property.
Lizzie and Mr.. Graham sat on the sofa
looking over the contents of my port
folio, warmly commenting, she adroitly
appropriated his commentator.
Suddenly Mr.. Graham rose, and bent
over the light for closer view of a
couple of sketches. Both were carica-
lures. One represented an eldery man,
tall and angular in figure; spare locks
of coars hair hung over the ears,
deep-set eyes peered from under shaggy
brows, and the nose and chin were
brought in close proximity. "The
Tutor" was penciled underneath. Tie
other deliniated female of middle
age, the shoulders round and high, the
face of preposterous breadth and a
double chin of ample proportions.
"The caricatures, Miss Smith, where
did you get them ?" asked Mr.. Graham.
"Some of my fancy sketches, I sup
pose" she replied.
"They are no fancy sketches! Did
you draw them?"
She rose and approached the table,
the bloom Of her fair cheeks a little
dcepened.
"I have no recollection of drawing
these odd figures. Perhaps Betsey will
own them. She has a taste for sketch
ing every strange, queer-looking object
that falls in her way" And Lizzie
looked imploringly at me.
Are they yours?" asked Mr.. Gra-
ham, addressing me-"
eyes they are nine."
"Copies or originals? ?"
Originals, Mr.. Graham, and essen
tally so. l have often heard you say
that Master Bernard and his house
keeper were two old originals"
He dropped the sketches and stood
regarding me in mute surprise. Sud
denly smile of recognition frightened
his face, and coming forward he clasped
both my hands.
"Lizzie Lake, my old friend, Lizziep'
he exclaimed. Then observing the as
tonished look of Mrs. Smith and her
daughter, he attempted an explana.
ton.
" Years ago we were companions
playmates and fast friends, my dear
Mrs. Smith, and Lizzie will tell you
So"
"The best of friends in time of truce
But you remember Mr.. Weld, that we
often quarreled, because that you were
irritable and imperious. Masculine
faults, these, altogether"
"Taunting and vilifying as of old
Time has failed TO blunt the sharpness
of your sarcastic tongue, my perverse
Lizzie"
"Time has dragged me through a
deal OF rough experience, which has in