Little Falls transcript., 1883-10-12
THE SECRET SIN.
BY J. VIM. VAN NA0iEE, II. D.

were Ulue anu uTodu1y 1y--uOt VI I4ldb buuA-
less, mistiied blue, SO often seen, but of
a dark, sparkling, yet dreamy blue. Her
hair hung in ringlets over her brow and
shoulders with witehing grace, like sun
light on a meadow, they fell upon her
shoulders like sunbeams OIL the leaf OF
some pure lily; her brow was high and
fair, her cheeks like the blush of some
wild prairie rose, and her teeth were
even and white as the pearls she twined
among her ringlets. half hidden beneath
lips red as cherries.
Emily was an only child-and an &C.
knowledged belle. A cousin resided
with her parents-an orphan, LETT in
childhood to the care and protection OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Leslie.
Elsie Turner was wild ,'gentle and af-
fectionate girl--modess and retiring in
demeanor; she was plain, yet beautiful;
she never mingled in the gay scenes OF
which Emily was the light and life, her
aeet never tripped through the mazes of
the dance in the brilliantly lighted ball
room, she preferred to remain at> home
and hold communion with some celebra-
ted author, for she was something of q
book worm.
1t was the evening on which the most
brilliant bali Of the season was to be CIV
en-. Emily's dress had just arrived from
the dressmaker's, and was thrown over
the back Of chair in her dressing room;
her jewel case lay open upon her dress
ing table, and various articles that 20 to
make up q lady's toilet we're distributed
around the room; Emily, herself. sat in
en- easy chair before her mirror, loose
wrapper ofrich, dark velvet was thrown
>carelessly over her, and Elsie stood by
her side drawing the comb thro ugh her
locks of rich brown hair.
II wish this terrible headache would
leave me-" said Emily, with weary,
indolent 81 gh. II fear, If it continues, I
shall not be able to join the evenings
entertainment. Elsie, dear, will YOU
bring me tablespoonful of brandy in a
glass, and put little sugar and water
"ith it? Be sure and do not put more
than a tablespoonful Of the brandy IN. I
nave taken one dose this afternoon"
Elsie laid the comb down upon the
dressing table, and left the room to com
ply with the request; shadow rested
upon her brow, and, as she descended
the staircase, she murmured: r..
S'Aias! I fear Emily is contracting a
;fsabit she will find it difficult to break
herself Of. I know this ceaseless round
of gayety wears upon her, but this re-
sorting to stimulants to produce life and
energy will grow upon her. Poor girl!
she does not see the probable conse-
quences of this evil habit; would that I
could convince her of her error"
Elsie procured the brandy, and pre-
pared it according to directions, and re-
turned to the chamber of her cousin.
Emily took the glass and drank the
contents; as she returned the glass to
Elsie, she said:
:'There, feel better already. Do not
look SO anxious and solicitous, dear
Elsie; one would suppose YOU imagined
/ was destined to fiji a drunkard's grave.
to see the anxious look you invariably
assume when take a little wine or
brandy. Soon the season of gayetv will
be over, and then viii! need nothing
to stimulate me. Come, dear Elsie,
finish arranging my hair, it is getting
Iate."
Elsie resumed her task, and soon
Emily Leslie stood before her mirror in
her transcendent beauty, arrayed in full
evening costu me; a rich robe of blush
colored satin fell around her graceful
figure in heavy folds, over which foated
an overdress of white lace, looped up at
the side with punches of roses and green
sprays. Upon her neck she wore pearl
necklace, and her wrists were encircled
by bracelets Of the same; her curls were
twined with pearls. roses and green
leaves.
There, I guess I'll do," she said, as
she surveyed herself in the mirror.
''Real!y, those pearls look charming,
don't they, coz?''
They are, indeed, very beautiful,
and become you exceedingly WE'LL" re-
piled Elsie. ..s-F .t:~, :
''How wish you were to attend this
ball, you would enjoy it, am confident.
1t is SO stupid in you to remain at home
pouring over some dull book. I, for my
part, cannot comprehend how you man
age to endure it." IN
10 me, it seems as If there was some
thing IN life more serious ard more
rational, to afford pleasure than mere
excitement and glittering show. I doubt
not, It were to mingle in scenes Of gay.
ETY. night after night, rs you do, dear
Emily, would soon become fascinated
ball. room, and similar entertainme
but do not desire to cultivate a taste
for these things while I have the OPP
:portunity to improve my mind with use-
full information that surrounds me. )" ST,
: ''You are strange girl, Elsie, and I
cannot understand you, but I love you
none the less. for these odd, old-fash-
ioned notions of yours.'Ga n. y$s 5. @.s@
At this moment Mrs. Leslie appeared
at the door, arrayed in velvet and
sparkling with diamonds, and said:
sfCome, dear, the carriage has been
waiting for some time, and your father
is growing impatient" 4
Throwing her opera cloak loosely
over her shoulders, the beautiful girl
left the room, throwing . kiss to her
cousin as ahe closed the door after her.
I. Gay, beautiful and happy muir
INJURED Elsie, as she gathered the arti-
cles together which lay scattered in dire
full confusion around the room. Gay
beautiful, and happy she repeated
s.'but will it always be so? All, no, fear
not, for she is now nursing in her bosom
{ a serpent that will sting her IN after
years if am not mistaken. las that
xone SO beautiful should throw herself
away in this manner s. s. II
The ballroom was bril- lliantly lighted.
and gavly dressed forms were flirting
through the Inazes Of the dance, when
M and Mrs. I.eslie, accompanied by
their beautiful daugh tier entered the
room, !. & Il. 1,
Murmt1rs Of ad nirattio ion were heard TO
fall from many lips, az the ball
belle. leaning upon the arm OF her
father crossed the room 10 order to OBJ
tain 81 seat. and bealax, Tops and ads