The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-05-08
sMlsfeAang.
A WOMAN'S STORY.
BY DOCTOR SCOTT PARR,

l should have been better. | might
have been worse. How much better. now
much worse, the story will disclose.
had just entered my seventh year
when my father. N. Viele, gave me new
mother in the person of the handsome
and imperious widow of one Colonel Labor.
and brother In Mrs. Lalor's only child a
boy Of twelve.
Albert Labor, who with his handsome
face, strong will and pleasant ways, soon
became my master, ruling my impetuous
spirit with a success that no one else could.
Madame Viele looked On with a proud,
self satisfied smile, and more than once
heard her murmur in her sweet tones:
''They must marry. Philippe. Your vi
must be my Albert's 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.
Nv father died. Albert was finishing
his collegiate course. !. in accordance with
my fathers will, was sent to Paris to be
finished under the care OF his old and val.
ned friend, Madame Dupont.
Four years later returned to my step
mother.
It was near the close of bleak winter
day that l reached Gray Fell. But bleak
as it was ny handsome, stately stepmother
met me on the steps of the great pillared
portico.
'Ah!" she exclaimed, half under her
breath, as she held me off moment and
keenIy scrutinized me with her great, lus.
trous black eyes. Then a warm smile
parted her lips. and kissing me tenderly
she added:
"You are beautiful, my child-far more
beautiful than imagined. Albert will be
charmed All! a blush, dearest? 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, pauslng only long enough in the hall to
allow kindly word or two to the assem-
bled 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' wraps, Manton, Z"
she said, quickly and imperiously, land
then lay out some of her handsomest dress
es;" adding, smilingly as her eyes return
ed to me: IL shall superintend your toilet
this evening, my dear. Dinner will be
served in less than an hour, and | want
you to appear at your best when you de-
scend to the drawing room. Albert shall
be dazzled at first sight"
/ blushed. and, with a low, happy
laugh, she kissed me and patted my burn
ing cheeks.
The business of the toilet concluded,
Madame Viele stepped back and eyed me
critically. A glowing smile directly at
tested her entire satisfaction; but she
cried eagerly:
"You are glorious, Vi-simply glorious!
"a very Eastern princess from your tawny
head to your fairy feet! That ruby vel
vet, with its rich laces, becomes your
splendid brunette beauty rarely, while
those creamy white roses adorn your dus-
Ky locks most faultlessly. All, child, i
AM proud OF you! you are sure to charm
my noble boy. But come, darling" she
concluded hastily, ''he returned from
town some time ago; let us descend"
When We entered the brilliantly-lighted
drawing room If was tenanted by two per
sons-a handsome, kindly-looking man,
whom | recognized at once as my step
brother, and tall, slender girl with
heavenly-blue eyes, pearly skin, and a
shimmering crown Of pale. golden hair.
A faint damask tinted the girls cheek
as We entered. and noticed that the gen.
tleman rose with suspicious haste from the
chair very close to her own. ! fancied,
too. that he had even more hastily drop
ped one of the dainty white hands toying
with bunch OF blue forget-me-nots that
matched tiny cluster half hidden in the
sossy gold Of her lovely hair.
had heard of this fair girl, and that
her home would henceforth be at Gray
Fell. But for the first time, It occurred
to me that she might be destined 70 step
between me and the man | had slowly
learned to think Of only toe tenderly.
With sharp. jealous pang / extended
my hand to Albert Lalor, who had hasten |
10 me, his ine eyes glowing with admira- |
tion and pleasure.
His greeting was cordial and evidently |
rleased bis mother
'.But Why don't yeu kiss her, ny son, a.
In the old daysf" she smiled. gayly.
And. with an answering smile, Albert |
bent his grand head and pressed his
bearded lips lightly TO mine.
"Ah! what q charming blushl" laughed |
my stepmother. touching my glowing |
cheek caressingiY with her soft. white |
fingers. ]