The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1883-02-15

tu1d1C ChooSu W Soh hlo. cCh-
nings mother.
/ Mrs. Langley stated frankly that,
being in need of a companion, she
had fallen in love with Gertrude,
and ended by offering her home
at Vinelands, as her estate was
called, and liberal salary; in re-
turn for which Gertrude was to read
and sing and help entertaining Mrs.
Langley in her dull moments.
Of course poor Gertrude accepted
the proposition with alacrity; and
Mrs. Langley drove home with her
| promise to come that very even
ing,
Sitting in the cool, fragrant gar
den in the sunset, Mrs. Langley
was entertaining her guests with a
vivid and glowing description Of
the home Of the Jennings, and poor
/ Gertrude, in her shabby dress, en-
deavoring to quell the fearful tum-
ult among the hopeful scions Of the
| house, and low, in the midst Of the
uproar and confusion, Mrs. Lang
ley had stepped in, and poor Ger
trude-
"Good-evening, Mrs. Langley"
She turned with a quick start of
surprise. Before her in the lush,
green grass, stood giri-a slender,
graceful girl; pale, oh, so pale and
worn-witb large, dark, pathetic
eyes, and hair Of the sunniest
gold.
She was dressed very simply in a
plain calico dress and coarse sun
hat.
The ladies, grouped about in
picturesque attitudes, in elegant
robes of every color of the rain
bow, stared superciliously upon the
stranger, and a cold disdain seem
ed to freeze them all.
1t was Mrs. Langley's turn to be
confused at this abrupt ending to
her story, but she was the first to
recover her composure.
She knew that Gertrude Ross
was very proud, with all her power
ty, and Mrs. Langley was a little
staken back" to remember that her
remarks were undoubtedly over
heard by the young girl.
She arose and extended her hand
cordially.
"Why, Gertrude?" she exclaimed,
pleasantly, Il am glad to see you.
Come with me to your room, my
dear
For Mrs. Langley was saying to
herself.
| sWhat a fright the child looks in
that horrid calico! I'll get her in
to one of my last seasons dresses
as soon as possible"
Gertrude followed her conductor
quietly through the beautiful gar
den to the house. Her head was
erect and her eyes flashed proud
ly.
"She is ashamed of me-" thought
the girl, choking back the sobs
which began to rise in her throat.
Once up in her neat chamber
Gertrude was at her ease.
Mrs. Langley insisted upon array
ing her in one Of her own dresses,
which was really simple; and Ger
trude accepted it because she felt
that, as Mrs. Langleys companion,
she must not appear shabby in the
presence of that lady's guests.
She came down stairs after awhile,
looking fair and sweet in the pretty,
white organdie, trimmed with rufies
and lace, and fragrant pink rose
in her golden braids.
Mr.. Fame, one of the guests, a
tall, lanquid, distingue man, ad-
vanced from amid the crowd, and,
having been duly presented to Miss
Ross, began faithfully to monopo-
lze her society.
.Ihe entire evening passed IN that
fashion, and Gertrude sought her
own room conscious of having been
the object of Mr.. Fane's undivided
attention, something really to be
proud of, she had found out; for all
the other ladies had appeared great
ly fattered by any show of interest
in her own particular welfare which
he chose to evince.
He was very great favorite
with all the company, and as the
days went by Gertrude awoke to
the knowledge Of the growing jeal-
ousy and dislike for herself which
the lady guests began in various