The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1879-08-20
MISCELLANY.
written for THE RECORD
THE embroidered SLIPPERS.
BY LENA WARD.
CHAPTER II.


THE TWO COUSINS.
Florence Sinclair sank down in the depths
of her crimson velvet chair, and lifted her feet
to the deliberately embroidered footstool-
She was superbly beautiful. No ono could
have more abundant, glossy hair, no eyes more
darkly lustrous, no cheeks more delicately
tlnged, no brow of a more dazzling Wilderness,
no form more symmetrical or graceful,-yes,
from the crown of her haught head to the sole
of her tiny foot, she was beautiful. And like
wise from said crown and said sole, was writ
ten in unmstakable characters proud, hdugh-
ty, cain, and we might add, worldly, for the
proudly arched lips, and naughty, indolent
air, showed consciousness of her own position
in society and that she valued her friends ac-
cordingly. These we're the only passports to
her favor. She never mingled with any out
of the circle in which she moved, no matter
! by what misfortune they had been compelled
to leave it. However worthy of respect she
would cut their acquaintance, and instantly
give them the cold shoulder" No warm
affections, no Christian charity, no pity for
the stricken ones of earth ever cleaned from
move in the highest circle of fashion, in that
great city, to be admired, courted, and fiat
tered, was the height of her ambition !; and
in that circle she was the acknowledged queen.
Since her entrance into society, no one, how
ever beautiful or accomplished, had ever
eclipsed her.
She was an only Child petted and INDUCED
1 L. g..
fore had piled her needle In a g third-story,
back, to earn her the necessaries of life, and
train her in the accomplishments that now
made her the centre of attraction. Denying
herself needed comforts, that her idolized
child might shine in society. Death came,
and called her away, and left her daughter to
the cold charities of the world. But she was
not long without protector. An old gentle
man saw her, and admiring her beautiful face,
adopted her as his own. He was Christian
man, and doubtless would have wrought
change in her had he lived. He placed her at
school for two years, and when Florence re-
turned, she found only his grave, and the
fortune he left her. Ample it would have
been had her tastes been less expensive, but
hardly sufficient to support the style suited to
her inclinations. She went to reside with q
sister of her adopted father a gay, worldly
woman, and well-ftted to foster the senti-
ments of pride and vanity she had imbibed.
The house of this lady (who had suddenly
arisen to wealth and position in society, was
ence suddenly found herself in the position
she had so long coveted. Mrs. Linns children
were small-still in the nursery therefore
she took great pleasure in chaperoning the
beautiful, naughty belle. 1t was her wish
that Florence should make great match
one that would reflect more brightly her own
station--and she gave out the impression that
she was very wealthy. Taking care to say in
the presence of eligible young gentlemen,
90 that as Florry was an heiress, she felt it her
duty to watch over her carefully, lest some
fortune-teller should gain her. And the dear
child is so innocent, and unsuspecting, she
might easily be deceived" In consequence
of these hints, "the dear child 4" had many
suitors for her hand. But the " innocent, I'M
suspecting " girl, saw in most of them, mon
ey -seekers, without the needful themselves /;
SO she danced, fiirted, and coquetted with
them but dismissed them with a supercilous
stare when they begged the honor of her
hand in marriage. One, however, had made
his appearance who was worthy to be encour-
aged and not only encouraged, but planned
and apgled for. His name was Horace May
nard. Fresh from three years residence in
Europe /; bringing with him the fascination
of French manners, and the still greater one
of splendid fortune and like Dickens
"Pip," great expectations in future. Truly
he was one to be sought after, by the money
loving circle, known as "upper tendom."-
Bell Manning was entirely different cast
both in mind and beauty from Florence.
The petite figure was graceful In the ex-
IRENE. Her hair was light brown, aud hung
In curls about her shoulders. Her large blue
eyes were full of sweetness, her small mouth
ditto. And, though she formed striking
contrast to Florence Sincar's magnificent
beauty, none could be with her a day without
loving her, and feeling that she possessed that
beauty of soul that would never grow dim,
but brighter as life passed away, and beam
only in full lustre in the light of eternity
Her loving heart was ever ready to listen to a
tale of sorrow, her sweet low voice to soothe,
and her kind hand to relieve. Only In one re-
spect did she stand as rival to Flory. She
possessed splendid fortune. Blocks Of ele-
giant residences, bank stocks, bonds, mort
cages, and public loans yearly gave their in
terest into her hands. Those small whit
hands, SO ready to minister to sorrow and suf