Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-05-19
A w Woman's Story.
BY DOCTOR SCOTT PARR.

have been worse. How much better,
how much worse, the story will decide.
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.
Lalor, and brother in Mrs. Lalor's only
child, a 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 Viele looked on with a
proud, self-satisfed smile, and more than
once l heard her murmur in her sweet,
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 we'll
pleased with the idea.
But these happy days slipped by all
too rapidly.
My father died. Albert was finishing
his collegiate course. I, in accordance
with my fathers will, was sent to Paris
to be finished under the care of his old
and valued friend, Madame Dupont.
Four years later 1 returned to my
step-mother.
1t was near the close of bleak winter
day that | reached Gray Fell. But bleak
as was my handsome, stately step-mother
met me on the steps of the great pillared
portico.
"Ah p 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
tenderly she added:
"You are beautiful, my chlld-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, pausing only long enough in
the hall to allow kindly word or two
to the assembled servants.
Then, with rare condcscension, she
led me up stairs to my chamber.
As we entered the drawing room she
glanced at the tlmepiece and turned to
my maid:
"Takc Mademoiselle's wraps, Man.
ton" she said, quick and imperiously,
.''and then lay out some of her handsom-
est dressing;" adding, smilingly, as her
eyes returned to me: 81 shall superin-
tend 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,
Madam Viele stepped back and eyed
me critically. A glowing smile directly
attested her entire satisfaction but she
cried eagerly:
"You are glorious, Vil-simply glo-
rious "a beautiful Eastern princess
from your tawny head to your fairy feet !
That ruby velvet, with its rich laces, be-
comes 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, she re-
turned from town some time ago. let us
descend"
When we entered the brilliantly
lighted 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 shimering crown of pale,
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.
fancied, too, that he had even more has
tily dropped one of the dainty white
hands, toying with bunch of blue for.
get me-nots that matched tiny cluster
half hidden in the fossy gold of her
lovely hair.
| had heard of this fair girl, and that
her home would benceforth be at Gray
Fell. But, for the first time, it occurred
to me that she might be destined to step
between me and the man l had slowly
learned to think of only too tenderly.
With a sharp, jealous pang l extend
ed my hand to Albert Lalor, who had
fastened to me, his fine eyes glowing
with admiration and pleasure.
His greeting was cordial and evident
ly pleased his mother.
"But why don't you kiss her, my son,
as in the old days % she smiled, gayly.
And, with an answering smile, Albert