Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-08-21
NO. POI.
Gales ano skettbes.
A wOMAN'S STORY.
By DOCTOR SCoTT PARR.

should have been better. l might
have been worse. How much better, how
much worse, the story will decide.
had just entered my seventh year when
my father. NJ. Viele, gave me new moth
er in the person of the handsome and inn
periOus widow of one Col. Lalor, and a
brother in Mrs. Lalors 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 success that no other could
Madame Viele looked on with a proud,
self-satisfied smile, and more than once l
heard her murmur in her sweet, imperious
voice:
They mnst marry, Philippe. Your vi
must be my Alberts wife"
And my father would laugh and nod his
head approvngly. evidently well pleased
with the idea.
But these happy days slipped by all too
rapidly.
My 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
ued friend. Madame Dupont.
Four years later returned to my step
mother.
1t was near the close of a bleak winter
day that reached Gray Fell. But bleak
as it was my handsome. stately step-moth-
er met me on the steps of the great pillared
portico.
''Ah! she exclaimed, half under her
breath, as she held me off moment, and
keenly 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 blusho 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 be-
fore me, pausing only long enough in the
hall to allow kindly word or two to the
assembled servants.
Then, with a rare condescension, she
led me up stairs to my chamber.
As we entered the drawing-room she
glanced at the timepiece and turned to nv
maid:
Take Mademoisell's wraps, Manton,"
she said quick and imperiously, 'and then
lay out some of her handsomest dresses :"
adding, smilingly, as she turnd to me II
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 descend to the drawing
room. Albert shall be dazzled at first
sight
l 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. 4 glowing smile directly at
tested her entire satisfaction; but she cried
eagerly:
''You are glorious. Vi.-simply glori-
Gus "a beautiful eastern princess from
your tawny head to your fairy feet That
ruby velvet. with its rich laces, becomes
your splendid beauty rarely, while those
creamy white roses ad0rn your dusky
locks most taultlessly. All, child, am
proud of you You are sure to charm my
noble boy But come darling" she con-
cluded. hastily, "lIe returned from town
some time ago let us descend
When we entered the brilliantly lighted
drawing-roOm it was tenanted by two per-
sons-a handsome, kingly-looking man.
whom | recognized as my step-brother.
and IA tall, slender girl with heavenly blue
ewes, pearly skin and shimmering crown
of pale. golden hair
had heard of this fair girl, and that
her home would henceforth be at Grey
Fell. But, for the first time. it occurred
to me that she might be destined to step
between me and the man | had learned to
think of only too tenderly.
With a sharp, jealous pang extended
my hand to Albert Lalor, who had has
tened to me, his fine eyes glowing with
admiration and pleasure.
His greeting was cordial and evidently
pleased his mother.
but why don't you kiss her, my son,
as in the old days." she smiled. gaily.
And. with an answering smile, Albert
bent his grandhe and pressed his beard
ed lips lightly to mine.
"Ah . what charming blush! ~ laughed
my step-mother, touching my glowing
cheeks caressingly with her soft, white
fingers.
smiled but my heart throbbed pain
fully under the ruby bodice that became
me SO well. Beneath the pressure of
those bearded lips my wayward woman's
heart had leaped from tenderness to a full.
fierce. passionate love.
lifted my eyes. ustrous with the new
born feeling, to the handsome, smiling
face of my brother. and again my heart
swelled with jealous pain at sight of its
unruffied calm.
But the tnext moment Madame Viele
claimed my attention.
wi. dearest, my great-niece, Peri Hol-
brook" She smiled
turned my eyes from Albert's face to
meet the eager, halt-afirighted gaze of
the golden-haired girl l could not but adj
mire.
bowed and somewhat coldly accepted
the proffered hand. and answered the few
musical words of gentle welcome.
Then | involuntarily flashed swift
glance at Albert.
All. how the blood leaped through my
veins. And how ! hated the charming
creature standing before me, so regally
graceful and sweet. Yes, hated her
for there could be no mistaking the brood
ing tenderness and passion with which my
step brother was regarding her.
Rut only for An instant did his ewes he