The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-10-22
thy, yet somehow John took it for q

UAys yct SOulenOW JOQn COOK II Tor
promise.
Hitherto Marion had seen nothing
society; she was now to enter q ne
world. She came to it as queen pr
ordained to conquest. The men fo
lowed her footsteps, the women initiate
her toilets. Her perfect physical heall
stood all tests. In the middle of Febr,
ary she had not lost anything of her e:
quisite beauty-nay, she had gained, Il
a woman gains with her wardrobe, an
often puts on genius as well as conf
dence with magnificent attire.
The middle of February, and she ha
not seen John Monteith since they par
ed at the little way-side depot. But sh
heard through Janet that he was putin
up great buildings which were to b
filled with wonderful new machiner
and appliances. Did he remembe
her amid these business cares? Di
she remember him? How could she
Her present occupations so filled ever
hour that she could not find time t
reach back after the love and promis
OF years ago. Lovers waited on be-
footsteps; she was fed on incense an,
tiattery; and yet, and yet-only tw,
little words, but love has lived on less
Well, it was the 18th of February, ane
a keen, bright, frosty day. There wa
a sleighing party in prospect, and Mar
ion, full of glee and anticipation, joinel
a merry group at the breakfast table
AS usual, a little pile of letters was
waiting for her; and among them one
OF strangely unfamiliar aspect. She
opened it curiously; it was an unmis.
taxable old-fashioned valentine. The
jests and laughter seriously ANNOYED
her. OF course it was John Monteith's
doing. None of her New York lovers
would have been guilty of such vulgar
ism. "Stupid! it was just like him.
People did such things, she supposed, in
Scotland. They had sent them there,
and of course they would 90 on sending
them long after the rest of the world
had forgotten the custom. But in New
York! On Madison Avenue! In the
year of grace 1874! What a barbarian
the man must BEL"
That valentine worried her all the
day; she laughed at ii, said it was ridic-
ulous, but yet she did not destroy it.
Janet noticed that circumstance, and
laid it up in her heart for Johns COM
fort if need be. He needed it sooner
than she expected, for that very even
ing, just as Marion was dressing for
a grand bridal reception, John Monteith
came for the answer to his valentine.
he did, of course, a very unwise thing:
but men that are far-seeing enough in q
business speculation are often very fool.
lsh in love affair.
There was in Marion's heart a linoer-
ing feeling Of contempt and annoyance
At that ridiculous present of paper lace,
satin, and painted flowers. She was
7exed that he should have shown such
Dad taste, first, in sending it at all, Sec
md, in following it so soon. These and
similar thoughts irritated her. She
would not hurry her toilet for his wait
ng; she had never since they parted
'een less in a mood to meet him pleas.
Intly.
Johns hopes, too, gradually died out
n his lonely hours waiting in the empty
'arior; and when Marion descended in
IL the pomp of silk and lace and jewels,
le felt a sense of intrusion which no
rue lover ought ever to be allowed to |
eel. He was placed at an unmerciful
disadvantage, but he had come deter.
mined to tell Marion that he loved her, |
nd with something of the dour obsti.
acy of his race he would not be abashed !
nd frightened out of his intention,
The meeting was not encouraging, but
g was now beyond noticing that. In
w, manly, straightforward words, he
bowed her the depth of his love, and
ftered her the honest devotion Of his
fe. Then some perverse spirit took
ossession of the girl. She knew that
ne loved the tall, handsome fellow,
leading so earnestly and yet so man.
lily tor her regard; but she would not
y the one truthful word that would
ave made both of them happy. She
cid him with the assent of her ewes. 4
bile she tortured him with her unruly n
'ngue. She even acknowledged tbs Il
le was far from Indifferent to him, BIT
'clared that it would be impossible or g
n to giveup New York and its delYht- a
! society. i,
John was far too truthful to temprize; u
said "that his fortune was all jivestee "
his mills, and that he must Of nercs' q
y live near Them" "
Marion supposed "of course IS inter- p
was OF more consequence snan ner "
81
John denied this for h;Aself, but said tt
at "his interest wa, now bound up T
tn the interest of rs partner, cred ii
d women that e employed" tt
Every word .ent them further apart, n,
d vet the Sillful girl was longing to ii
forced INTO having her own mind. ii
ID JoM been less afraid of her, and
IRE c1ntident of himself; had he taken a,
r lands and pleaded with all the pas al
4 that was trembling on his lips; had as
dared to use the simple power of his 81
at, positive nature over her contra 81
tious, undecided one, she would have to
ded gladly and proudly. But though re
common saying that "men don't ca
w their weak points, it is a great tn
n that they still more rarely know 81
If strong ones; and for the want of .
very knowledge, John Monteith =
1t out into the dark winter night a
tched man, and Marion Laurie went II
stairs, cast off her gay clothing, and &C
bed in passionate abandon the whole 6s
ht through.
his circumstance though the world
" it not-shortened the period of in
ions social triumph in New York. tn
suddenly announced her intention of OK
x abroad. She said she was sick. ca
naoSunv ~ A. 81 n. a =, 800