Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-31
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shave come to ask your advice, Ample, -
said Mary Carter. entering her sisters
small bedroom, s'but first let me warm
my frozen fingers, for the afternoon is
fearfnlly cold"
She threw her sncw-dusted cloak on the
only vacant chair, and tossing her black hat
on the bed, she coiled up at Armies feet
in front of the meagre register.
''Well, darling, and what is the trouble
now ?" and the elder sister looked down
ut the fair young face. and at the sweet
eyes 50 wistful and SO sad.
The two girls were orphans. and toiling
in the respectable harness of-teaching.
Theirs was only the oft-repeated story Of
New York life. The father had failed,
and had not strength to rally again; 80
the frail, gentle mother soon followed her
husband TO the rest where the weary are
sleeping. A rich relative had educated
the girls that they might be independent.
and therefore they were now battling and
struggling in the great city. whose God
is Gold. Annie. the elder by two sum-
mers, was a gentle. fair-haired girl of
twenty-five, one OF those calm, seIf-rely-
ing natures who rise in all the strength Of
the old martyrs, when circumstances SO
require a heroine born, that storms only
strengthen, misfortunes make grand with
pure classic face-a face that men gaze
on more in admiration and respect than
in passionate love; and she strove and
suffered as resident English governess in
one Of the large fashionable schools OF
the city, while the younger. the impulsive,
sensitive Mary, was teaching Mrs. Wales
four children in a beautiful house on the
Avenue.
On Thursday Mrs. Vale had issued
cards for grand ball the following week.
and to ask Annie's advice in reference to
this ball the young girl had braved the
driving November storm.
"And now, Annie. help me to decide. for
although Mrs. Vale has been exceedingly
kind to me. even urging my presence on
the plea Of friendship, yet all that is
soundly practical in my nature counsels
me TO come here, stay with you till ten,
at which hour your retreat" il sounded.
and then creep quietly back into my own
little room. and read till sheer WEAKNESS
sends me to bed.'
"Would it not be better, darling for you
W picSSe MIS-. Naie!
Better. Annie ?" and her eyes flashed.
'.better. to feel the pangs of position to
which have not been bOrnp True, Mrs.
Vale is considerable woman. and would
shield me, If she could; but. will her
guests regard this protection? know the
women better Who is that p will some
jewelled shoddy exclaim, and how can the
question be answered.? | am neither Mrs.
Wales relative, nor guest. but--the gov
erness Of Mrs. Vale's children
Her voice trembled and her eyes wore
full of tears.
mo. ANNIE" she continued, IL have
no place In society, and it's safer not to
risk attack"
Annie felt the truth of her sisters logic,
yet she knew that it was wiser for her to
accept Mrs. Wales invitation. No kind
shelter awaited the orphans, for self-reli-
ance was hard necessity forced upon
them and 1t was Drawer to meet life's
phases than to shrink, and In shrinking
lose good home. The elder sister also
felt pardonable pride in the rare beauty
before her, so she tried to soOthe the sensi-
tive spirit. and maynard, naughty nature
And in truth, Mary Carter was gifted
with the fatal gift" for if the mere acct
dent of birth leaves its impress, she as
thoroughly illustrated that birth. as any OF
the patrician beauties of the old DAYS of
Rome. Light golden waves Of hair that
the poet loves. shaded her low Greek fere-
head, and beneath The proudly arched eye
brows. shone dark, changefnl hazel eyes
eyes that CLEAN with passion, or glance
tenderlv soft as a cooling doves; then a
1.-THE. graceful, expressive figure, with the
walk even characteristic. and you felt
when you looked upon her, that mere cir
cumstance could not locate her. but that
she belonged " here she was born, among
the daintiest of the land. A woman to be
sheltered and cared tor. not to struggle
and suffer.
Annie's arguments prevailed. and on
the night of the ball. Mary Carter walked
in the brilliant rooms with Mis-. Vale. and
not even in that lovely gathering was one
fairer than the young girl standing at
Mrs. Vale's side.
Only a simple dress of tulle tell in a
cloud mist around her. and wreath Of
lilies bound her shining hair. Excite
ment deepened the color in her cheeks,
and her eyes were luminous with the light
that only such eyes ever give forth.
My friend. Miss Carter" How Mary's
heart beat as Mrs. Vale introduced her.
The inherited pride was undiminished !:
and although she felt that her position was
honorable. yet she knew that society gave
her no status.
But llelmsmuller's lovely music was
sounding, and youth, with its keen relish
for pleasure. cannot always feel the
shackles of circumstances so Mary forgot
her nervous fears, and enjoyed every mo-
naent, till--well it was toward the close
OF the evening. The beautiful Faust Lam
eiers were echoing. and the third figure,
SO trying to woman's grace. had begun.
Mary Carter's ris-a-ris with handsome,
snowy woman. flashing with diamonds.
in the intervals OF the dance, was convers-
ing with = tall, distingne gentleman who
stood carelessly leaning against pedes-
tai near. With the eye of a connoiseur
he swept the crowded rooms and rested it
on the slight figure opposite.
Saving your fairest self. Mrs. Edel-
bert, would determine the Young girl
facing us the most beautiful in the room.
Watch her movements and that graceful
curtsey; in that simple inclination is the
test of the breeding. which her exquisite
features substantiafe."