The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-10-22
ssFAINT HEART NE'ER WON FAIR
LADY,"

| 'ouSAAuS pIculSCOrlC tlmeS.
David Laurie, however, seldom pe
united himself to speak of such unpra
tlcal matters; those blue hills belonge
to his childhood and youth, states whic
ne had nearly forgotten, the more 80 .
the bonnie lassie he wooed and VIC
among their golden brooms had bee
long dead, and there now remained \
visible link between the shadowy pa
and the intensely real present.
Excepting-and I make the exceptio
with all respect-Miss Janet Monteitl
a "far-awa' cousin" of Mrs. Laurie,
who had filled the dubious position {
maid and companion to that lady. an
after her death somewhat similar on
TO her two daughters, Julia and Marion
But whatever her position, she had dis
charged its duties with an unselfsh dc
votlon that would have digni6ed tn
humblest service. True, Janet ha
grumbled somewhat through her twent
years care, but grumbling with her wa
merely habit, without necessary cause
or consequences.
And she had always had two stool
subjects for grumbling about. First, tn
Hat country: it was q constant irritatio,
to her; and if Janet had possessed tn,
faith that could move mountains, doubt
less the Grampians would now be il
New Jersey. Second, the still, stealth,
river: had it been a river of anv sensi
bility, it would have risen against the
comparisons she was always making
between its sullen-looking waters and
the whipping, rafting, clear-runnine
streams Of Scotland.
But the river did its business--that is,
it run the great cotton and silk mills oj
David Laurie in an admirably consist.
emit, regular manner; and David was
not ungrateful; he had always q word Of
aapology for his aid. "It will not make
. picture, janet" he would say; "but
then it's just like yourself, woman-bet.
ter than it's bonnie" Yet Janet, in her
white lace cap and neckerchief, was no
uncomely picture, for instinctively she
knew that age surrounds itself with a
kind OF youth in garments that are al
ways sweet and fresh. So, though she
was a contrast, she was not an unpleas-
ant one, to the lovely girl cuddlinp
among the crimson damask cushions in
the same room with her.
This girl is Marion Laurie. I have
been prosy about my Introduction, but a
beauty, like queen, requires some
ceremony. Now you may look at her
dimpled face, oval in shape, pink and
sweet as a rose just bloomed. There is
in it something fairly luminous: saw il ia
the glory Of her eyes-large blue eyes
bright and clear as heaven; or say it is
the glory of her hair-pale golden
brown hair-like the aureole of q saint
No one would care particularly to an
alyze any creature so exquisite it would
be like pulling flower to pieces to find
out where the perfume dwelt.
But as she lies with her small hands
crossed above her head, and her small
feet crossed just outside the ruffles Of
her robe, one can not help wondering
what she is dreaming about, or what |
ripple OF song or murmur of sweet |
words will first part the rosy, smiling
lips. She has been still for full ten
minutes. Janet wonders, but respects
the mood; for itisa little crisis in Ma
rion's life, and for the first time she has
fnll liberty given her to decide upon her
own movements. She may spend the
winter in New York with her married
sister Julia, or she may stay in New Jer-
sey, and gather around her such pleas
upes and company Is the rather lonely
locality admits Of.
Ten minutes is not long to canvass
both sides OF such question, but Ma.
rion's rapid mind managed It quite to
her own satisfaction in that time.
"Janet," she said, decidedly, sitting
upright in order to clasp her knees COM
lortably, ~ am going to New York;
hat is clear"
II would ask your reasons, Miss Ma
ion. if l thought you had any,"
ooh, reasons are plenty as black
FERRIES, Janet. First, / want to 90; Sec
md, ! want to 60; third, Iwant to 20;
md"
You medina specify further, Miss
Marion. ken weel that Il want to- is
eason enough for you" /.
Yes. / am not dour and hard to con- ,
'ince, like some people know, Janet; |
md don't believe in being very kind to {
'ther people and awful hard upon your {
eli: I think Marion Laurie has some ,
light claims upon Marion Laur.e,s at
ention. - 9
= dinna think you owe the lsssie 4
nything. She's weel enough looked j
4" Well, ct present lowe her half q d
Oxen new dresses; but I shall get |,
apa to give her check tonight that U
III clear of al demands. Heich-ho. Y
anet! I believe I must make mvseH '
ok pretty for dinner; for, first, there Y
that check to smile for; and, second, Il