Daily globe., 1879-06-08
A WOMAN'S STORY.
BY DOCTOR SCOTT PARR.

should have been better. 1 might
have been worse. How much better, how
much worse, the story will disclose.
1 had just entered my seventh year
when my father, M. Viele, gave me new
mother in the person Of the handsome
and imperious widow of one Colonel La
lor, and brother in Mrs. Lalor's only
child, a boy of twelve.
Albert Lalor, who with his handsome
face, strong will and pleasant ways, soon
became my master, ruling my impetuous
spirit with success that no one else
could. Madame Viele looked on with
proud, self satisfied smile, and more than
once I heard her murmur in her sweet
tones:
"They must marry, Philippe. Your
vi. must be my Albert's wife.
And my father would laugh and nod
his head app1ovingly, evidently well
pleased with the idea. 8
But these happy days slipped by all
too rapidly.
It was near the close of bleak winter
day that reached Gray Fell. But bleak
as it was my handsome, stately stepmoth-
er met me on the steps of the great pill
Jared portico.
''Ah!" she exclaimed, half under her
breath, as she held me off moment and
keenly scrutinized me with her great, Jus
trous black eyes. Then warm smile
parted her lips, and kissing ME tenderly
she added: 81 a,s,
"You arc beautiful, my child far
more beautiful than I imagined. Albert
will he charmed Ah! blush, dearest
You have not forgotten my old hope
then! But, come, come, dear, the air is
bitterly keen.
of her black, satin she swept queen-like
before me, pausing only long enough ir
the hall to allow kindly word or two tc
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 timepiece and turned te
my maid: .
Take Msdemoiselle's wraps, Manton,
she said, quickly and imperlously, ''anc
then lay out some Of her handsomes
dresses" adding, smilingly as her eye!
returned to me: 81 shall superintend YOU
toilet this evening, my dear. Dinner
will be served in less than an hour, and
want you to appear at your best when yor
descend to the drawing room. Albert
shall be dazzled at first 81 ght."
l blushed, and, with a low, happy
laugh, she kissed me and patted my
burning cheeks.
The business Of the toilet concluded
Msdame Viele stepped back and eyed me
critically. A glowing smile directly at
tested her entire satisfaction; but she
cried eargerly:
''You are glorious, Vi--simpl,
glorious s!-a very Eastern princess from
your tawny head down to your fairy feet
That ruby velvet, with its rich laces
becomes your splendid brunette beauty
rarely, while those creamy white rose!
adorn your dusky locks most faultlessly
All, child, I am proud Of you! you ar.
sureto charm my noble boy. But come
darling" she concluded hastily, che re
turned from town some time ago; let III
descend
When we entered the brilliantly lighted
drawing room it was tenanted by two
persons-a handsome, kindly looking
man, whom recognized at once as my
step-brother, and tall, slender girl with
heavenly-blue eyes, pearly skin, and 6
shimmering crown of pale, golden hair.
A faint damask tinted the girls cheek
as we entered, and noticed that the gen.
tleman rose with suspicious haste from
the chair very close to her own. l fancied
too, that he had even more hastily drop.
ped one of the dainty white hands