Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-09-02
The Story Of a Life.
"Mlss Cameron"

mans face. 1t was an anxious face
just at that moment, and, being usually
full of happy content the anxiety was
very apparent to Leonie. So after her
first careless glance, she Strengthened
herself in her low chair, and said quiet
ly, yet with every appearance of inter-
est:
"What is the matter?'
An awkward pause followed the ques-
tion.
Mrs. Tollman fdgeted under the in
quiring glance of the dark eyes, cleared
her throat twice, and finally said with
nervous emphasis:
"John Furber.'
Miss Cameron's face seem to freeze.
It was very beautiful face, with pride
for leading expression. Sweetness lurk-
ed in the mouth, intellect beamed from
the radiant dark eyes, but pride shad-
owed all. 1t carried the small head
gracefully erect, it swept the folds of
the rich dress with regal motion. 1t
touched the small patrician hands, and
was evident in the well-modulated tones
Of the refined voice.
"There," Mrs. Tollman said, despair
ingly, "I've made you mad already, and
have not said anything"
81 am not mad," Leonie answered,
and there certainly lurked smile in
her mouth at the good woman's conster-
nation. "But you have not told me
what troubles you."
"It's-lt's-John, Miss Cameron,
and"-then rapidly, as if the words
were forced by fear of her own inabil-
ity to finish her self-appolnted task, she
hurried on. "He's my nephew, Miss,
as you know, though his father is rich
man, very rich, and John is above his
mothers place in her life. She's dead,
and John was spoiled somewhere between
the year she died and two years ago. l
don't know how he took to bad ways.
He was brought up an idler upon his
fathers money, and from idleness to
drinking, gambling and bad ways is an
easy road. His father is hard man
and thrust him out nearly a year ago
and disinerited him. He came here,
for love him. I've nothing else to
love; husband and children in the grave.
yard, so love john
There was a piteous pleading in the
woman's face, but Leonie's was blank
save for an air of polite interest.
"He was most desperate when he came
here, but " coaxed him him up little
But-but-O, Miss Cameron, you know
what want to say. You are beautiful
rich-a lady far above me in education
and position, and only staying here fo
a country quiet I've no right to fnt
fault, but-but don't firt with John
He is in trouble, respondent, disinherit
ed, and he is falling in love with yol
you as fast as he can. I believe if yo1
play with him he will kill himself, bod
and SOUL"
Fairly out of breath with her ow
earnest utterance, Mrs. Tollman paused
looking pleadingly in Leonie Cameron
face. The expression of polite interes
never wavered as that young lady said
'1f l understand you Alright, 20
wish me to ignore your nephew. 1t
not so easy, as he is in your house, SO
had better leave it."
Goodness p cried the widow, aghas
; at this Interpretation of her words. Sc
never meant that. Where can you fin
another boarding place near here ?"
81 can return to London"
H've put my foot in it. John wi
never forgive me" said Mrs. Tollman.
5 But there was no sympathy in Leol
, les face, and she turned away at las
perplexed and more anxious than eve
And Leonie, sinking back in her cha
!, again, looked at the sunset clouds ar
variegated foliage, and thought perhal
e it was time to return to London.
!, She had come to s., weary wi
o a round of fashionable life, tired of fla
terry, dancing and flirting. and she h;
n found rest and quiet under Mrs. To
:. mans motherly care. She was ric
3 richer far than the landlady had al
r. idea of, but she had no relatives, only
r second cousin to keep her lonely hon
t. and play propriety.
Society constituted itself her amate
: guardian. and lying back in her Gus
ioned chair in the sunset glow, she wo
. dered indolently what society would S
about John Furber. 1t would gra
= : him rare perfection of manly beau
of face and form, and forgive the e
dent traces of dissipation, if it was on
"a known that he was the son of ri
a. man, and had been educated an i'd
- by profession. But in what holy horl
y it would turn away with uplifted har
~ y, when it was known that he was dis
~ herited, with no home but room in |
30 house of a widowed aunt seeking ,
ce her narrow income taking boarders.
ry would smile at his biting sarcasms,
as brilliant conversations, his conf