Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-07-01
WOman;s Story.
. BY DOCTOR SCOTT PARR..

should have been better. I might
have been worse. How much better,
how much wore, the story will disclose.
I had just entered my seventh year
when my father, M. Viele, gave me a
new mother in the person Of the hand
some and imperious widow of one Col
onel Lalor, and a brother in Mrs. Lalof's S
only child boy of twelve.
Albert Lalor, with his handsome face,
strong will and pleasant ways, soon be-
came my MASTER, ruling my impetuous
spirit with a success that no one else
could. Madame VieIe looked on with a
proud, self satisfied smile and more than
once heard her murmur in her sweet
and imperious 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 e
his collegiate course. I, in accordan ce
with fathers will, was sent to Paris to
be finished under the care of his old and
valued friend Madame Dupont.
Four years later I returned to my step
mother.
It was near the close of bleak winter
day that reached Gray Fell. But bleak
as it was my handsome, stately step
mother met me on the steps Of the great
pillared portico.
"AhW 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
ly, she added:
| "You are beautiful, my child-far
more beautiful than imagined. Albert
will be charmed. All 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, pausing only long enough in
the hall to allow kindly word or two
| to the assembled servants.
Then, with 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,
land then lay out some of her hand
soonest dresses )" adding, smilingly, as
her eyes turned to me: II shall super
intend 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 descend to the drawing room.
Albert shall be dazzled at first sight"
| blushed, and, with low, happy
laugh, she kissed me and patted my
burning cheeks.
The business of the toilet concluded,
Madame Viele stepped back and eyed
me critically. A glowing smile directly
attested her entire satisfaction; but she
cried eagerly:
"You are glorious, Vi!-simply glori-
GUS IA 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 faultlessly. All,
child, 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; lei
us descend"
When we entered the brilliantly light
ed drawing room it was tenanted by two
persons-a handsome, kingly looking
man, whom recognized at once as my
(step-brother, and tall, slender girl
with heavenly blue eyes, pearly skin,
and shimmering crown ofpale, golden
hair.
A faint damask tinted the girls cheek
as we entered, and I noticed that the
gentleman rose with suspicious haste
from the chair very close to her own
I fancied, too, that he had even more
hastily dropped one of the dainty white
hands toying with bunch of blue for
get-me-nots that matched a tiny cluster
half hidden in the flossy gold of hel
lovely hair.