The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-09-27
CHOICE FICTION.
A WOMAN'S STORY.

A WOMAN'S STORY.
had just entered my seventh year when
my father, NJ. Viele, gave me a new mother
in the person Of the handsome and imperi-
brother in Mrs. Lalors only child, boy OF
twelve.
Albert I.alor, with his handsome face,
strong will and pleasant ways, soon becars
my master, ruling my impetusus spirit
with a success that no one else could. Mad
anne Niele looked on with proud, self
satisfied smile, and moro than once I heard
her murmur in her sweet, imperous 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 toe
rapidly.
My father died. Albert was finishing his
collegiate course. l, in accordance with my
fathers will, was sent to Paris to be finished
under the care Of his cid and valued friend
Madame Dupsnte. Four years later l re-
turned 20 my step-mother
1t was near the close of n bleak Winter
day that reached Gray Fell But bleak as
it was, my handsome, stately step-mother
met me on the steps Of the great pillared
portico.
All" she exclaimed, half under her
breath, as she held mo off moment and
keenly scrutinized mo with her great, lus
trouS black eyes. Then warm smile part
ed her lips, and kissing mo tcnderly, she
added:
"You are beautiful, my child-far more
beautiful than l imagined. Albert will be
charmed. All. a blush, dearest? You have
not forgotten my cid hope, then! But come,
come, dear; this air is bitterly keen
And gathering up the shining length Of
her black satin she swept queen-like before
me, pausng only long enough in the hall to
allow Il kindly word OF two to the assembled
servants.
Then, with rare condescension, she led
me up stairs to my chamber.
As we entered the dressing room she
glanced at the timopiece and turned 10 my
maid:
Take mademoisellss wraps, Manton,"
she said quickly and imperiously, land
then lay out some Of her handsomest dress
es, adding srnilingly, as her eyes returned
to me, g shall superintsnd your toilet this
evening, my dear. Dinner will be served
in less than an hour, and | want you to APP
pear at your best when you descend to the
drawing room. Albert shall be dazzled at
first sight"
When we entered tho brilliantly lighted
drawing room it was tenanted by two per-
sons-a handsome, kingly-loeking man,
whom | recognized at once As my step
brother, and a tall, slender girl with heaven
ly blue eyes, pearly skin and a shinmering
crown of pale, golden hair.
a faint danask tinted the girls cheek AZ
we entered, and l noticed that the gentle
man rose with suspicious haste from the
chair very close to her own. falcisd, too,
that he had even more hastily dropped enc
of the dainty white hands toying with n
bunch Of blue forset-ne-nots that matched
a tiny cluster half hidden in the flos.y gold
of her lovely hair.
1 had heard Of this fair girl, and that her
home would henceferth be at Gray Fell.
But for the first time it occurred to me that
she might be destined to step between me
and tho man had slowly learned to think
of only too tendery.
With y sharp, jealous pang | extended
my hand to Albert Labor, Tho had fastened
ton and pleasure.
His first greeting was cordial, and evil
IDENTIFY pleased his mother.
But why don't you kiss her my son, as
in the cid days" she smiled sayly.
And with an answering smile Albert
bent his grand head and pressed his bearded
lips lightly to mine.
"Ah, what II charmin: blush" laughed
my siep-mother, touchin: my glowing cheek
caressinsly with her soft, white fingers.
| smiled, but my heart throbbed pain
fully under the ruby velvet bodice that be
came me so we'll. Beneath the pressure of
those bearded lips my maynard woman's
heart had leaped from tenderness to full,
fierce, passionate love
| lifted my eyes, lustrsus 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 next moment Madame Viele
claimed my attention.
wi, dearest, my great-niece, Peri Hol-
brook She smiled.
| turned nay eyes from Albert's face to
meet the eager, halfaffrishted gaze Of the
golden-haired girl could not but admire.
| bowed, and somewhat coldly accepted
the preferred hand, and answered the few
musical words Of gentle welcome. Then l
involuntarily flashed swift glance at Al
bert.
All, how tho blood leaped through my
veins. And how hated the charming crea-
turs standing before me, SO regally graceful
and sweet Yes, l hated her, for there
could be no installing tho brooding tonder-
ness and passion with which my step broth
er was regarding her.
But only for an instant did his eyes be-
tray him; and as the pleasant hours Of the
laugh at my jealous pain. Nevertheless,
when my step-mother followed mo to my
room l smiled lightly.
Peri is very lovely, mamma, and Al
bert seems to admire her"
Madame Niele turned p glance upon me
that covered my face with a flood Of color.
NAY, nay" she laughed softly the next
instant, winding her arm carossnsly about
me. "You have no cause for jealousy, my
love. Albert is heart whole, and knows
we'll that it is my wish to see him your hus-
band. Knowing this" sho added, with
naughty sternness, The would not dare
brave me by loving another" Then, with
Il swift return to her former tenderness, she
continued: "My dear child, l trust you
can make me happy by loving my hand
some and noble son"
Don't rush into jealousy, vi. Peri is a
good and beautiful GIRL but Albert gives
is in no way dependent upon me pecuniar-
lily, promised her dying mother to give her
a home at Gray Fell, as you know; and you
can see, my love, how very unpleasant it
would make it for you to brood over fool
ish jealousy. So, dear, put all that non
sense out of your charming head and rest
assured that l am right. My eyes are keen,
and in the eighteen months she has been
at Gray Fell must inevitably have pene-
trated n secret of that kind"
"Of course, mamma is right l muir
INJURED, as the door closed on her imperial
form, and summoned Manton.
Bat, my maid dismissed, | sat down in
my dressing gown and stared at tho glow
ing GOALS, my thoughts and feelings in an
anxious whirl After a time l rose sigh
ing i'm patiently.
u can't sleep; will 80 down and get a
book"
With the words crept out into the hall.
l had traversed half its length when the
sound of stealthy steps on the stairs sent
me with bated breath behind the heavy da-
mask curtains of a window near me.
Burglars were in my mind, but made
no outcry. The next minute the steps pass
ed few feet from me, and l was quickly
undeceived.
tones, Don't :rieve, my darling, it will all
come right. Only be patient, my own.
And | felt more than heard the soft kiss
that finished the sentence.
1t was PERKS voice that answered.
"Oh, Albert. Albert"' she breathed fall
terinsly. "Where is it all to end? We
have done very, very wrong, dearest. And
oh, Albert, she loves you. | saw it in those
great, passionate, dusky eyes of hers to-
night, and in Il vague terror of the future
stared almost wildly at her as Aunt Ray
nrc ,entcd me- :"