New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-07
MONICA.
EDWIN SMITH.
ny THE AUTHOR OF

nv rur A1rrgoR OF PHYLLIS MRS GEoFFRFY,' ETC.
Iounv one coming direct from all the luxury and
beauty of the old Court above, naturally TINS niue
cottage room looks small and poverty stricken yet
there is pathetic tenderness about IT, too born OF
q woman's hand-a touch of gentle refinement that
shows itself in the masses of Old World mowers,
corelessy and urtisticalY put together that adOrn
the one table and the two brackets, filling ali the
tlnv apartment with their subtle perfume.
The windows, opening to the ground, are thrown
wide open. Outside. the garden lies painting IN the
sunshine There is the sad lowing as OF many
in the iar ds aO useless S ."T e breeze
lazily into the room, rutfing the ancient curtains
that are drawn closely together ID vain effort TO
Poor Mr. Norwood, with praisewolthv deter
mutation to quite the contrary, IS LOOKING the
very picture of misery. He has been dragged from
his sanctum aud his beloved Aldines, Bodonls.
Elzevrs TO interview, rather be interviewed by.
% fashionable young man fresh from town, whO'
though his nephew. is to him AN utteI stranger.
Conversation for the last 1--WE minutes mas been
growing InoIe aud more languId Now 1t threatens
to cease altogether. The host is at MS Wits END,
tie fashionable young man is looking distinctly
bored 1t is therefore with glance full OF rapture,
and noby suppressed sigh of extreme relief, That
Mr.. Norwood hears step upon the gravel outside,
that comes quickly nearer
1t is-it must be-Monlca. to the rescue!
Now one of the windows is darkened: figure
stepping aIrily from the bright sunshine beyond 10
the room within. parts the curtains with both
hands and gazes inqnir'ngy around
AS her glance falls upon the strange Young man.
it alters frou expectation to extreme surprise-not
confusion or embarrassment of any Kind, but
simple honest surprise. Wis tors at tie cottage be-
ing few and tar between, ana as IL RUE eAceeuinSy
I'll to look at. -,
The strange young man returns her gaze with
generous interest, and surprise that outdoes ner
own For q full half IN mute she so stands with the
curtain held back i'll either hand and then she ad-
vances slowly.
she ia dressed IN gown of Oxford shirting-very
plain, very inexpensive. IL has little tull Daby
body that some how suits wonderfully the grave
childish face above it with its frame of hight brown
Lair so ike the color of an unrpe chestnut. Her
ewes ale bue as the heavens above her her mouth.
a trfe large perhaps but very serious, ana very
sweat Cue cannot but believe laughter possible 10
her one cannot also but believe she has found solf
communion many occasions a s0lace anu q
Solemn joy.
to your cousin, George Norwood says her father
very proudly The pride is all concentrated ~ his
d lighter In his soul he deems King would be
honured by snch Introduction
At this she comes closer, and places small
slim hand in her cousins.
I should have known. of course she says. as
though following out IA certain train OF thought.
Il heard you had como TO the Court
You must be good friends with him. Monica
says Mr.. Norwood nervOusly lie Is your only
cousin, You know-except Julia.
Yes she is smiling now we shall be friends
of coursep Then more directly 10 the inan who 8
still holding her hand, as though he has actually
forgotten it is in his possession. As my father likes
you. it follows that shall like yon too
sAhv says George Norwood. with an answering
s,oile tbnt renders his face quite beautiful then
owe your father debt OF gratitude shall not
easily repay!
to the door by tine degrees Monica, without SEEM
ing to notice this says gently
go back to your books, papa. l will take care
AT this Mr.. Norwood beats q thankful retreat
leaving the two young people alone.
Why did you hesitate just now p asks George
suddenly She has seated herself OH a very unclent
sola and is regarding him thoughtfully
WhcnP
Because didn't quite know what to call You.
Your being cousin does not prevent yonr being
perfect slIangercand q stranger suppose. ought
II you call me that, shall be unhappy forever
says George Norwood Besides, you can't you
know because shall certainly never call yCu any
thing but Monica
Oh at that rate says she smiling again.
Presently he stands upon the hearth-rug, he
hits his eyes and fastens them upon portrait that
hangs above tho chinneyplece.
What charming facep he says What COM
Yes il is lovelyi 1t is my grandmother. Don't
you think the mouth and nose line papa'sP
The very imagep says George Norwood. He
doesn't think it bit but seeing she plainly experts
him TO say IT, he does his duty like man. IL is
perfect face! But the eyes-thcy are your own,
surely
"Are they' Do you know / never look at that
picture without feeling bitterp She laughs as she
says this in way that pfecludes the idea that
aerim3ny OF any SORT could oeiong 10 ner' WA
particular point OF ii In his will that snc uld be
given to HIM. When he had carefully cut him OIL to
q shilling, he bestowed upon him an oil-painting
wasn't 1t muniicentf The eldest sons portion to
be mere portrait! while the second and third sons
children should inherit alp Then. az remembrance
cJmss to her she rcddens and grows for the first
time confused beg your pardon. she says softly
Il had forgotten you were the child OF the second
sOn.'
Don't mind about that says Norwood Ia my
eyes too Ii was most ubiquitous WILL
Papa was very glad 10 get this portrait OF his
mother SAYS Monica hastily. lie adored her.
She did all she knew to make grandfather destroy
his first WILL and leave everything rs was only
fight TO my father. She gained her point too, but
when she died. he forgot his promise and every
thing. aud betrayed the dead. as you can see. She
makes q mouinful gesture toward the room that 30
painfully betrays their poverty.
My father as the second son was Dadly ttea,ea
too. says Norwood ANXIOUS. lie hardly KNOWS "hy'
TO create feeling OF sympathy between Them.
Not 40 badly. BY leaving the property 10 you'
and Julia. the daughter OF his third ION. on condi-
ton you marry each other he provided Tor Dot tne
children OF the younge, For me ne alo
nothing He never lorgavee. papas marriage.-iou
Will marry julia. OF coursep
, She Is regarding him seriously, and ne Tau ahs
little and colors beneath her gaze.
dare say he says lightly. II w.uld seem
PITY 10 throw away ten thousand year ana u !
refuse, she gets al and am IN the cold As an
hteart-whole, may we'll think about II; that Id
III she will Iia 70 the goodness to accept mo-
She wiE.' says Monica with q certain meanlns IN
ner tone. II ale re used she would DO lelt penni
less too, 1t ould all 20 you and she Is fond OIL
abe mans, Al oaf nm well