The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-10-01
OLD PETERS STORY.
BY BELL BLOSSOM

II " certain degree not lncompatlole WIN
my buffers dignity, and all evidences OF which
] strove seduiously 10 conceal.
1t was occasioned by no less an event THAN
me return of the young lady oil the nouse-thc
only daughter AMI sole heiresS OF all these
broad acres-rrom the finishing school IN Par
il. to make her formal debW III society,
The suite of rooms assigned 10 her had been
thoroughly renovated and reiurnished in a
manner widely different from the solid Eng
lish comfort which prevailed elsewhere
throughout the house; but to look through
them was like sudden glimpse into the nest
of some hummlng bird, which had impaired
all its brillaHcy to It's belongings.
Only few days before the expected arrival
had come a letter, begging permission to BRING
with her her dearest iriend-a young lady
whose father was an Eas. Indian officer, anu
whose return had Unexpectedly been postpon
Ell a couple of months.
OF course the pctted daughters wish was
law; and though the fond father, reading aloud
the letter prefering tins request at the break
fast table, exchanged a glance OF disappoint'
ment with his wife that so soon the privacy OF
their ltlle circle must be disturbed, a formal
invitation to Miss Aine Revere to the hospi
taltles of Chalmers hall WAS dispatched that
very day.
/ shall never forget the evening of Miss
Chalmers return Her CHEEKY "llow do you
do, Peter ?" thrilled my old bones as did the
touch of the little hand she kindly offered me,
in memory, perhaps OF my long service, ana
the many rides up and down the broad halls
she had had ON my shoulder, screaming the
while with giee.
She fitted about all the evening like bee
from flower to flower, and II was as though a
burst Of sudden sunshine had illumincd the
~ In "a FAIR SHppf EDpIISl
girl; but as all were sealed about the dining
table ! could not but acknowledge that the
palm of beauty must be awarded TO her friend.
had never seen more exquisite face. II
fairly haunted me; it held in 1t the fire of the
troplcs, the ice of the arctic, the light of the
heavens, the shadow Of the night-each cX-
preston in contradiction TO the other, each
lending to produce harmonious warfare,
l did not think this all out myself, but some
one long after, describing Miss Reveres face,
thus worded 1t, and | knew then they had
made clear the enigma my old brain had tried
% long to solve. | would even then have
been envIous, for Miss Chalmers sake, but
that she seemed so fond, so devoted to her
friend, that her very gladneSs was an uncon-
scious rcbuke to me.
1t WAS not long before the house WAS filled
with guests-lades aud ladies' maids, gentle
men and their Wallets, coming and going, fill
ing the place with gayety and excitement
Then came the announcement OF grand ball
with invitations to all the county. And glad
enough was | when the evening on which II
was to take place actually arrived, and could
feel that the hustle of anticipation was now at
m end
On the way down to the drawing room Miss
Flo peeped IN to see the tables and though;
Tor once that we might compare her to Miss
Ahne. She was dressed in white, her arms
and neck bare, but glltterlng with precious
stones Some of the family jewels her father
had md reset, and presented to her that very
morning III the breakfast table l WAS not
likely to forget the circumstances. for the old
feeling of half dislike, with which had frs,
regarded Miss Aline swept over me as fan
cied an envious glitter sparkled in the black
ewes, as. they rested on the white, glitterinG
gems.
"Wlll do, Peter" asked my mistress
sweeping me mock courtesy, as II she had
been a tiny GIRL and halt believe, instead Of
answering her, brushed away tear.
The ball WAS grand success and the sur
had arizen ere the sound of the wheels OF the
last carriage llled with departing guests hat
died away.
There had been many made welcome tina
night, but none, | we'll knew, received warm
er one than young Mr. Earle, who had return
ed home from u years absence in foreign
countries only twenty,iour hours before.
/ caught glimpse of HIM once as he was
dancing with Miss Flo. Even IN that fleet
my moment saw how tenderly his strong
arm claspcd her how proudly his handsome
eyes looked down upon her; how flashed will
happiness WAS her own tair face, half bidder
OIL his broad shoulder; and my heart gave
glad and exuitant leap that 50 joyous future
was assured Ter
well knew what was the uncSpresscd fam
NV wish, Tor young Mr.. Earle's estates adjoineC
our own. they were unfettered, unincumber
ed. and In every way q splendid patrimony.
| had turned away from this tleeting glimpse
among the great folks my old brain filled
with the Idle dreams Of the future when my
eyes CHANGED 70 fall upon one, who, like my
self, was ergIossed IN the animated scene be
yond us Ii vas Miss Flo's friend bat oh
hew change
The ma had fallen from her beautiful
face The great black eyes iairly scintillatinl
with supprc I'd feeling, were fixed upon thos,
two who moved in such perfect harmony t
the music A drop Of blood was on her scarle
Iip, where hrr little white teeth had rested
One small hand was lnvoluntarily clenched
Her mouth n wed, but no sound ISSUED from IT
| stood ira fixed, a strange cold smvcr run
nipg throu.. me. IL WAS this fury whom
Mrs Flo geu 10 and unconscious regarded ~
her dearcs friend.
Oi what siGl might be made her dearest foe
/ rememberad then the look | had seen thes
same eyes Il < upon the jewels. Wss shc envi
ous of my Young ladys fortune What dan
ger might a.. threaten her through this beau
tlful pahthcf,? and yet how dared !, a hum
bic servant, alter a word of warning. Ever
with these ~ lghts passing IN quick success
sion througa my mind, there MAS so suddeI
add instaneD.s a change over Miss Revere
expression .Aa. could scarce recall the othe
except rs ...e suit Of some hidden coniurin
oil my own fancy.
Miss Flo ass coming towards her, leaning
on Mr. Eai, arms.
Ileturned T. my duties with heavy hear
Iselt shadow Of i'll was pending over III, ye
almost fofel It next day, when my youn
lady's ionna engagement TO Mr.. Earle was al