The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-05-28
A WoMAN's STORY.
BY DR.. SCOTT PARR.

I should have been better. / might have
been worse. How much better, how much
worse, the story will disclose. -
I had Just entered my seventh year when
my father, NJ. Viele. gave me new mother,
in the person of the handsome and imperioas
widow of one Colonels Lalor, and q brother
in Mrs Lalor's only child, a boy of r.
Albert LaIor, with his handsome face,
strong will and pleasant ways, soon became
my master, ruling my impetuous spirit with
q success thatno one else could. Madame
Vlele looked on with a proud, self-satisfied
smile, and more than once 1 heard hsr muir
muir in her sweet, 1mperious tones:
s0They must marry, Philippe. Your VI
must be my AIbert'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.
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. aa1la.J
-Four wears later returned to my step
mother.
It was near the close of a bleak winter day
that L reached Gray Fell. But bleak as it
was, my handsome, stately stepmother met
me on the steps of the great pillared portlco.
"Ahp she exclaimed, half under her
breath, as she held me off moment and
keenly scrutlnized me with her great, lus-
trous black eyes. Then a warm smile parted
her lips, and kissing me tenderly she added 4:
ssYou are beautiful. my child-far more
beautiful than imagined. Albert viii be
charmed. All! a blush, dearest2 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
fxua IN the assam HE'D
wants. 4s,
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, Manton, "
she said, quickly and imperiously, land
then Law out some of her handscmest
dresses" adding, smiiingly, as her eyes re-
turned to me: II shall superintend your
toilet this evening, nay dear. Dinner will
be served in less than an hour, and want
YOU to appear at your best when you de
scend to the drawing room. Albert shall be
dazzled at first sight.
blushed, and, with low, happy laugh
she kissedm and patted my burning cheeks
The business of the toilet concluded
Madame Viele stepped back and eyed me
critically. A glowing smile directly attest
ed her entire satisfaction; but she criec
eagerly:
SYou are glorious, VII simply glorious
A very Eastern princess from your tawn!
head to your fairy feet! That ruby velvet
with its rich laces, becomes your splendid
brunette beauty rarely, while those cream.
white roses adorn your dusky locks mos
faultlessly. All, child, am proud OF you
You are sure to charm my noble boy. Blu
come, darling" she concluded nasuiy,
returned from town SOME Iiue aso, leu
When we entered the brilliantly lighte
d,awinc room it was tenanted by two person
"a handsome, kingly-looklng man, whom
recognized at once as my step-Drotner, an
tall, slender girl with heavenly blue eye
pearly skin and shimmering crown of pale
golden hair.
a faint damask tinted the girls cheek, q
we entered, and noticed that the gentle
man arose with suspicious haste from til
char very close to her own. 1 fancied to
that he had even more hastily dropped on
of the dainty white hands toying with
bunch of blue forget menots that matche
a tiny cluster half hidden in the floss
gold of her lovely hair:
l had heard of this fair girl, and that he
home would henceforth be at Gray Eel
But, for the first time, it occurred to M
that she might be destined to step betwee
me and the man I had slowly learned
think Of only too tenderIy.
With sharp, jealous pang extended m
hand to Albert Lalor, who had fastened
me, bis fine eyes glowing with admiration
and pleasure.
His greeting was cordial, and evidentl
pleased his mother.
"But why don't yen kiss her, my son,
in the old days." she smiled, gayly.
And with an answering smile. Abe
bent his grand head and pressed his beards
lips lightly to mine.
tAhi what . charming blush" laught
my stepmother, touching my glowing che'
caressingly with her soft, white fingers
smiled, but NY heart throbbed painful
under the ruby velvet bodice that beoau
me so well. Bensath the pressure CT tho
bearded lips my Maynard woman's hes
had leaped from tenderness to Q full, ferC
passionate love.
lifted my eyes, lustrous with new-bol