Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-10-03
A WOman's Story.
BY DOCTOR SCOTT PARR.


should have been better. I nigh,
have been worse. How much better,
how much worse, the story will dis.
close.
I had just entered my seventh year
when my father, NJ. Viele, gave me a
new mother in the person of the hand.
some and imperious widow of one Col
onel Lalor, and brother in Mrs. La.
lor's only child, boy of twelve.
Albert Lalor, with his handsome face,
strong will and pleasant ways, soor be.
came my master, ruling my impetuous
spirit with success that no one else
could. Madame Viele looked ON with
aproud. self-satisfed smile, and more
than once heard her murmur in her
sweet, imperious tones:
"They must marry. Philippe. Your
vi must be my Alberts wife,"
And my father would laugh and nod
his head approvingly, evidently well
pleased with the idea.
But these happy days slipped by all
too rapidly.
My father died. Albert was finishing
his COLI giate course. l, in accordance
with my fathers will, was sent to Paris
to be flushed under the care of his old
and valued friend, Madame Dupont.
Four years later returned to my step
mother.
It was near the close of bleak win
ter day that reached Gray Fell. But
bleak as it was, my handsome, stately
step-mo,her met me on the steps of the
great pil!ared portico.
"Ah she exclaimed, half under her
breath, as she held me off a moment and
keenly scrutinized me with her great,
lustrous black eyes. Then warm smile
parted her lips, and kissing me tender
", she added !:
"You are beautiful, my child-far
more beautiful than imagined. Albert
will be charmed. All, q blush, dear.
est? You have not forgotten my old
hope, then |! But come, come, dear !;
the air is bitterly keen"
And gathering up the shining length
of her black satin she swept queen.like
before me, pausing only long enough in
the hall to allow kindly word or two
to the assembled servants.
Then, with a rare condescension, she
led me up stairs to my chamber.
As we entered the dressing-room she
glanced at the timepiece and turned to
my maid
Take Mademoiselle's wraps, Man.
ton" she said quickly and imperiously,
"and then lay out some of her hand
soonest dresses :" adding smilingly, as
her eyes returned to me, 4" I shall su.
perintend your toilet this evening, nv
dear. Dinner will be served in less
than an hour, and I want you to appear
at your best when you descend to the
drawing.room. Albert shall be dazzled
at first sight"
I blushed. and with a low, happy
laugh, she kissed me and patted my
burning cheeks.
The business of the toilet concluded,
Madame Vlele stepped back and eyed
me critically A glowing smile directly
attested hel htire satisfaction, but she
cried eagerly:
You are glorious, vi ! simply glo-
rlous-a very Eastern Princess from
your tawny head to your fairy feet.
That ruby velvet, with its rich laces.
becomes your splendid brunette beauty
rarely, while those creamy white roses
adorn your dusky locks most faultless.
y. All, child, I am proud of you
Youare sure to charm my noble boy.
But come, darling" she concluded hast.
lily. He returned from town some
time ago; let us descend"
When we entered the brilliantly.
lighted drawing.room it was tenanted
by two persons-a handsome, kingly-
looking man, whom recognized at
once as my stepbrother, ant tall.
slender girl with heavenly blue eyes
pearly skin and shimmerlug crown of
pale, golden hair.
A faint damask tinted the girls cheek
as We entered, and l noticed that the
gentleman rose with suspicious haste
from the Chair very close to her own.
l fancied, too. that lie had even more
hastily dropped one of the dai I, white
hands toying with bunch of blue for
get-me- nous that matched tiny cluster
half hld'"n IN the tiossy gold of her
lovely h ir.
l Lau Aeard of this fair girl, aud that
her home would henceforth he. at Grav
Fell. But for the first time 1t occurred
to mt Il a. ehe might be destined to step
bet"-'n me and the NAH had SLOWLY
learned To think of only too t-uderly.
With sira'p, jealous pang extended
my hand to Albert Labor, whu had hast
ened to NE, his fine eyes glowing with
admiration and pleasure.
His greeting was cordial, and eyi.
IDENTIFY pleased his mother.
but why don't you kiss her. nv
son. US in the old days." she smiled
gayly.