River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-06-12
A WOMAN's STORY.
BY DOCTOR SCOTT rAnR.

I should have been better might
have been worse, How much better how
much verse. the story viii disclose.
ha. Just entered nay seventh wear
phen my f,ther NJ Niclc. gave me a new
mother tue person of the handsome
and lmpcrious wi..oW of one Colonel La
lnr and brother in Mrs LaIor& only
child, 4 boy If twelve
Albert laiol who with his handsom,
face. strong viii and pleasant ways, soon
became my master, ruling my impctuou-
spirit with success that no one else
could Madame Nieie looked oR with q
proud, self satisfied smile and more than
once | heard her murmur in her sweet
tones
They must marry, Philippe. Yom
vi. must bc my Alhert's wife
And my father would laugh and nod
his head approyingIy, evidently well
pleased with the idea.
But those happy days slipped by aII
too RAPIDLY.
II was near tbe close ot bleak wnt@
dav that | reached Grav Fell But bleak
as it was my handsome, stately stepmoth-
or met nae on the steps OF the great pill
Jared porticO.
All" She exclaimed. half under hen
Breath, as she held me of a moment and
kecnly scrutiuiZed me with her great, ius
trous black eyes Then warm smile
parted her lips, and kissing me tenderly
she added
you are beautiful my child fa
more beautiful than / imagined Albcr
will he charmed All a blush, dearest
You have not forgotten my old hope
then But come, come, dear, the air J.
bitterly keen.
And gathering up the shining length
OF her black satin She swept queen -tk,
before me, pausing only long enough il
the ball % allow - kindly word or two (
the assembled servants.
Then, with rare condcsceusion she los
me up stairs to my chamber.
As we entered the dressing room sh
glanced At the timepiece and turned t
my maid
Take MsdcmoiseIic's wraps, Manton,
she aid, quickly and imperlouslv, IAN,
chen Law out some of her handsomcs
dresses, adding, smilingly as her eve
returned 10 me II shall superiHtcnd YOU
toilet this evening, my dear. Dime
NjlI be- served in less than an hour, and
want Won to appear at your best when yol
descend to the drawing room. Alber
shall I've dazZicd at first sight"
/ blushed and, with low happy
laugh, She kissed me and pattcd my
burning checks.
The business of the toilet concluded
Nslsme Yicle stepped back and eyed m,
critically 4 glowing smile directly at
tested her entire satisfaction; but sh'
cried eargerly
You are glorious, Vi-simpt
glorious "a very Eastern princess from
YOUR tawnv head down 10 your fairy feet
That ruby velvet, with its rich laecs
becomes your splendid brunette beaut,
rarely, while those creamy white rose
adorn your dusky locks most faultleSSIy
An. child, | am proud of you YOU ar
sure % charm my noble hoy. But come
darling, She concluded hastily, she IL
turned from town some time ago; let Il
descend
When We entered the brilliantly lighte,
drawing room il was tenanted by tw,
persons "a handsome. kindly-lookins
man, whom | recognized at once as NJ,
step-hrother, and q tall, slender girl witt
hcaveuly-hlue eyes, pearly skin, and
shimmeriug crown of pale. golden hair.
4 faint damask tinted the girls cheel
as we entered and noticed that the gen
tieman roSe with suspicious haste from
the chair very close to-her own. faneiel
too, that he had even more hastily drop
ped one of the dainty white hand
owing with bunch of blue forget-mc
nots that matched tiny cluster hal
hidden in the fioSsy gold of her Lowell,
hair
had heard of this fair girl. and tina
her home would heneeforth be at Gfa-
Fell, But for the first time. it occure,
To me- that she might be destined to stel
between me and the man had slowl
learned ia think of only too tendcrly.
With sharp, Jealous pang | extentle,
my hand To Albert Labor. who had hast
ened to me, his tine eyes glowing with I'D
miration and pleasure.
His greeting was cordial and evideatl
pleased his mother.
But why don't YOU kiss her. ms sol
as in the old jlayss' she smiled gayly.
And, with an answering smile. Athei
bent his grand head and pressed b
bearded lips lightly 10 mine.
All, what charming blushfa laughe
my stepmother touching my CLOWN
cheek carressingly with her soft, WIN
fingers.
| smiled, but my heart thrubbed paii
fully un,ler the ruby velvet bodice tn
became me So welE Beneath the pre-
sur OF those bearded lips ray waywai
woman's heart had Ieapea from tende
ness 10 full, ierce, passionate sove
Il lifted my eyes, lustFous with Il
new lorn feeling, to the handsome srni
ing face of my brother. anf again. ID
heart swelied with je@tous pain At Il
sight Of It's unruifed csigl.
Bur the next momeslt Magame We