Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-03-31


of lite. Something higher and sweeter
is necessary to one like me. You men
here sow and reap, toiling on and plod-
ding on year after year, never thinking
of the beautiful things you might give
to the world by stroke of the pen or
the pencil. Joe, life is grand and
glorious thing if lived as it ought to be.
o, how | despise these poor, unrefned
women who are content to drudge like
oxen, with no rest and no amusemement.
A little gossipping, a little church-going,
and great deal of soul-crushing work
is enough for them. But one like me
Joe, must have something different
"Ah, indeed; that is it, is it ?'' re-
turned the young man, cycling the pretty
egotist with an amused smile. "What
do you mean to make your life, Anne ?
What will you be ?"
81 mean to be a great and famous
woman" she asserted; II have not yet
decided how. Perhaps l shall be an ar
tist or prima donna.
"And perhaps you will be my wife"
was the thought that he did not utter.
After few days of pleasant prepara-
ton, Miss Anne De Velin became the
guest of Mrs. Crowly, who received the
girl afectionately enough, but not with
the manner of one who realized the au-
spicious presence of family genius.
Anne soon learned that her relative car
ed great deal for social pleasures, but
did not appreciate her marvellous talents
in the least.
"You sing on the stage? What an
absurd child you are !" she cried, laugh
ing heartily.
81 have been told that my voice IS
very fne," persisted Anne, much net
tied at the critical and incredulous
manner of her aunt.
"Of course you have fine voice"
said Mrs. Crowly, soothingly; 'but not
nearly fine enough for public singer.
Besides, you would be obliged to study
for years to perfect it,
Il thought one who had great gift
need not study at all" ventured Anne,
who was 10th to have her country repl-
tation questioned. "And that l hare
the true artist inspiration, know my
self. You know how good my pictures
are. intend to put my best on exhi-
bition."
"Those copies in water color? Shades
of Rembrant, defend us !" gasped the
lady, in astonishment.
Anne's face grew hot, and angry tears
gathered in her eyes.
"You had better learn to dress well,
the first thing you do, Anne" continued
Mrs. Crowly, seeing the girls agitation !;
| want you to look very nicely at ny
party tonight. Fred Fitch is coming"
Il am glad of that" answered Anne
with charming frankness; | think Mr..
Fitch is really the only gentleman whom
| ever admired"
There was nothing that this girl of
many gifts imagined she could not win,
and the conquest of gentleman's heart
a very easy matter indeed. Besides.
she had found in Mr. Fred Fitch her
ideal lover, and he was quite the person
to fascinate a much wiser and more ex-
perienced girl than Anne.
His dark eyes could look unutterable
loving. the touch of his white hand was
mesmeric, and every accent of his voice
was as thrilling as caress. Miss Anne
De Velin fondly believed that she had
found favor in his sight, and she deter
mined to sacrifice ambition for love, as
the most heroic thing she could do, con-
sidering how persistently blind her new
friends seemed to be to her genius.
She had known Mr.. Fitch some
months when Mrs. Crowly gave another
party to which he was invited.
Dear Fred will certainly propose to-
night, she thought, as she made her
toilet for the event.
The dress she chose for the evening
was the most expensive she had ever
worn, and would have been charming
affair if worn by one of an opposite style
of beauty. Miss De Velin was highly
pleased with her appearance as she went
down to the parlor and ensconced her.
self snugly in a curtained niche where
she could watch the guests unseen until
Mr.. Fred Fitch should arrive.
Presently he came, and leaning on his
arm was lovely woman. They stopped
by the window where Anne was sitting,
SO close that she could have touched the
dazzling jewels that the lady wore.
Il wonder where Mrs. Crowly's little
rustic is tonight % observed Mr.. Fitch.
"Have you met her Maud No?
Well, she is curiosity. You ought
really to see her and to hear her talk.
1t is better than comedy. She thinks
herself genius, you know-fancies she
sings like an an angel and paints like
prodigy"
lis she really talented, Fred ?" in
quired the lady, with polite Indifference.