The Red Cloud chief., 1880-02-19
MONSIEUR.

l. raised my eyes from NY Dook w
those of NJ. DE Mott-was it magnetism
that controlled them?--and, as / en-
countered his searching look, verify
believe tlat 1 blushed, though / ac-
counted myself too ~hackneycd to give
, evidence Of such freshness. However,
> my glance happened to fall, next, upon
the mirror, and / smiled with a little
feeling of self-contempt: a glance in
that direction usually sufliced to excite
Athat emotion, for albeit l had an ideal
brain, and would gladly have found
therein n beautiful face, per contrary l
was accustomed TO seeing a sometimes
sallow visage reflected from its surface.
Whatever my capabilities, | was used to
Tseditating, they were not those of
bending mankind at my feet in homage
Nj my beauty; and whatever gifts a
woman may have, to her mind nothing
quite compensates this lack. And in
contrast there was always near me that
face of Loraine's chiseled and tinted so
beautifully.
1t was for this reason that 1 took nj.
N De Motifs scrutiny SO ill. Lora was at
y &y side, and | knew he had been COM
pairing us; SO l made some miserable
Jest that no doubt caused him to place
amiability among my other needs.
at is strange, Olie," said my cousin,
@that there are times when i can not
make you out"
Dear, lovely Lora, l hardly think she
eyae made me out. She might have I'M
derstood certain qualities which were
but accidents of my nature, but the real
Aividual, whether i'm gracious mood
or otherwise, she did not understand.
al am scarcely worth the trouble, my
Loraine," 1 replied, pinching my arm
i'm punishment for what had said that
ANNOYED her, :. but look in the glass and
YOU will see. People are like what they
look TO be; their faces can not utter
falsehoods. You, Lora, are like a flow
~. What a pleasant sensation a glance
at YOU must bring an observer" dora
blushed now under Nj. De Motifs smil-
ing eves), ..while look at the square
laws" NJ. DE Mott smiled at me, and
/ grew angry, and wa led to say, But
l will gain the respect of the worthy and
live as well as though l were beautiful, -
anpt | glanced defiantly his 4
Now does Miss Olive say the most
sensible words she has yet spoken. 1t is
Balzae who has said that a plain woman
is only in danger of being loved too well.
But | am only taking Miss Olive at her
own valuation; it would scarcely be po-
Alite TO call a lady plain"
'sYour politeness is very suggestive"
Ireplied. 81 am plain, and no one will
ever love me-" A popularity of Miss
Olive ITO utter words which afterward
,Nnscd the forehead to Jingle with shame.
f'sSbe Mott turned his eyes away with an
amused look. alt will do for Miss
Olive to make such statement only be-
fore me, but in presence of some other
gentleman it might meet with a practical
denial"
!. He must mean Lawrence Wharton
/ thought, who was only drawn to me
by the law of opposites, / always ex-
plained to Lora when l thought she no.
iiced his preference. Larrey, las we called
him. was q ward of my u~ncle's, Lora's
father, and lived in his family; NJ. De
Mott was my uncle's partner; l also
MAS in my uncle's charge.
Before leaving, Nj. De Mott invited
me to a concert that night; he had al.
ready secured Loraine's attendance.
He had asked me at the eleventh hour,
hoping / might have some other oppor.
tunitv; but then there were always lions
in the way if l wished especially to 60
anywhere, so l accepted his escort.
At the concert we had not long been
seA,ed when Larrey joined us, looking
ED and nervous.
eHe should have come around TO,
me in time," he said, :" but old Norton.
wife was sick and he had taken his place
atthe books" Oarrey was u~noccupied
he had but just made his exit from col
lege, and had not yet decided upon hi.
life work. The governor says tina
thei books must be kept up, SO l shall
have I work until Mrs. Morton mends.'
And the salary?" I asked, in concern
for the old couple, for I knew it wa!
their only dependence.
"Oh! that goes OF of course. Wha'
could 1 do with it? My quarterly allow
ance has to 60 a-begging now, I car
aotttind ways for it."
Tae blessed Larry! I well knew
that, from the expensive keepsakes tina
- l had so often thrust back upon him.
"Ifdoing His bidding constitutes one
You, Larry, must be one of the Lord
servants" 1 said to him.
He smiled, pleased at my approval.
"Olie, you viii return in my carriage
Monsieur is not particular about havins
charge of more than one lady"
Monsieur was, perhaps, watching TO
the entrance of the cantatrice, and dix
not reply.
"De Mott, will you give Miss Ole t,
my care for the remainder of the even
ing?"'
N. De Mott turned slowly and exam
ined me with cold, critical eyes, and turn
ing from me indifferently, replied t
Lsrrsy, "Miss Olive ia at liberty Z
make her ewn ehoiee."