New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1883-04-04
A MODERN CINDERELLA.

w uCl LA OuV w WIN - S"AN o~~-- 80
collar!
y. A. Macon, in The Century Br!c-a-Brac.
A MODERN CINDERELLA.
Not that she was 50 scandalously ILL
useu as the poor little heroine of the
fairy tale that has delighted SO many
generations in their childhood, but the
circumstances were not dissimilar, as
you will see.
Violet Ef1ingham had lived a very
happy, unfettered life with her widowed
father, the working partner of pros
porous firm in Birchin Lane, till she was
twelve years old, when Mr.. bingham
took to himself second wife, partly
with the idea that it would be better
for his motherless girl to have someone
who could better supply her lost pa
rents place than he, with his time 50
busily employed, could do; partly-it is
to be feared-that he was fascinated by
the full-blown charms of the widow
whom he selected for that purpose, and
whose earliest exercise Of her delegate
authority was to find out an eligible es-
tablishment for young ladies at Wimble-
don, to which, despite her tears, Violet
was forthwith sent.
She had been there little over four
years, tolerably contented with her life,
after all, and always returning cheer
fully enough after her holidays; but on
one such occasion she discovered that
her stepmother, had issued invitations
for fancy dress ball, and actually
wanted to pack her off to school again
three DAYS before the time on that &C.
count.
1t need hardly be said that to be pres
ent at the ball was Violet's most ardent
wish, and had her father been at home
there is no doubt that small amount Of
coaxing on her part would have assured
the contamination of her desire; but
unfortunately Mr.. bingham was alb
sent on business in the South of France,
and, plead as she would, her stepmoth-
er was memorable.
Not indeed that that lady was so re-
morseless tyrant as the grim baroness
of the fairy tale, but like her she was the
mother of two grown up daughters, so
much grown up indeed, that they felt it
was high time they had homes of their
own, and like the wicked step-sisters of
Cinderella thought it would be quite as
we'll to keep poor Violet in the back
ground as long as possible, at any rate
until they were settled.
Hinc ille lacryme that followed from
Violets pretty blue eyes as she in vain
protested against her stepmother's de-
cree.
II am turned sixtecn!' she cried,
"and was put into long dresses last
month, and am sure that papa would
let me. if he were here, and Iwill!' .
She stood in the middle of the floor,
with her fluffy golden hair falling over
over her eyes, her checks glowing mild
pink, and her whole pcrsonneAe indie
alive of resolve and determination in
the EXTREMIST d.lN,ree.
Ms. Ei}ingham looked at her in de.-
pair. The two Misses Smythson, Julia
and Ara3ella, sat as stiff and prim rs
two carved marble images. "Violet's
temper was proverbial in the family,
and these very proper and precisely be-
haved young women were wont to at
feet the greatest dismay at its vehement
gusts.
"Violet,' said Mrs. Effingham, SOL
emily, ''in your dear papa's absence it
is my duty to enforce his precepts, and
carry out his discipline. You are a
great deal too young to be introduced
into society yet. You are to 60 back to
boarGiny-school Tomorrow
Butt cried Violet, in dismay, my
holidays do not expire until Wednes-
day!'
THAT is very true said Mrs. Effing-
ham, comprising her thin lips to a
mere slit; consequently, you can see
how far you have abridged your own
period Of recreation by your ungovern-
able WILL
Violet, forgetting all about the sixteen
years and the long dresses, burst into
loud weeping.
spray, Violet, don't be so silly said
Julia.
lone would think" tartly spoke up
Arabella, ''ti,at you were a child of ten
years old. OF course, it is all for your
own good
"My own fiddlesticksr' irreverently
interrupted Violet, as she fled from the
apartment in floods of undignified
tears.
But numbers are certain to, conquer
in the long run; and so Violet was pack
ed remorselessly off to boarding-school,
and Mrs. Ehingham's two girls return
(; ed to their consultations with the dress
maker.
Julia, pallid blonde, with cold, wa
! tery-blue eyes and colorless faxen hair,
WOO RI ,voar h1,,o 1oy,ook omhr0idorod
around the skirt in palm leaves of seed
pearls.
Arabella, who had little more bloom
and ventured to call herself brunette.
/ had chosen pink satin, with cloud-like
draperies of black lace; while the ma
tron herself, no bad exempliication Of
the poets idea of .'fat, fair and forty, y
/ was to wear ruby velvet, richly trimmed
with pointaplique lace, and q diamond
cross, which, in the absence of her nus
band, she had hired from an accommo-
dating jeweller for this occasion.
| While Violet - poor, heart-broken
child!-was sent ruthlessly to Wimble-
don, where Miss Gardiner, the COVER
ness, was telegraphed to meet her.
! But Miss Gardiner, as it CHANGED, did
not receive the message in time. and was
not there; and Mr.. Herbert Darlington
was there!
I: Violet knew him very well. She had
met him several times at home, and Bel
Ia Smythson had selected him as the
special target for the arrows Of her hazel
eyes, this season.
Mr.. Darlington recognised Violet q