Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-03-29
Edith's Trial.

su"s ~ NY icAVluB school That l pu
suaded my aunt, Mrs. Jones, the vii
OF my guardian, with whom, sine
my early orphanage, l had resided, t
invite Edith Clare, my best believe
school mate to spend the winter wit
me, and accompany me upon my on
trance into society.
Mrs. Jones was a good nature,
woman, and very willing to indulg
the favorite niece, whom she locke.
upon almost as her own child, SO sh,
Forwarded the desired invitation
The only hesitation she felt, as sh,
declared, was in relation to the fam
NY and social position of Mis-,
Clare.
ut would be no credit to myself
or to my niece to Introduce a par
venu into her select circle Had |
ever heard Miss Clare say anything
about her familyY The name was
good but We're they rich or we'll con-
nected ? Was her father in trade or
one OF the professions ? Had / seen
her parents? But there; there was
no use of asking questions of such
a little nworldly bookworm. y
When the invitation was dispatch.
ed, my aunt grew very anxious lest
she might have made false move.
but the reply partly treasured her.
Edith would gladly accept the invi,
tation to spend the winter with me.
but she did not desire an introduce
tion into New York society.
"Have her come by all means ;,
she cried. This is just the thing.
II she Is not eligible, it will be well
that she does not expect to 60 out
with US continually. II she should
prove eligible, we can persuade her
to go occasionally, and thus enhance
the effect of her presence.
And thus it was that Edith Glare
came to me.
We spent very happy winter.
Society had many attractions for me.
| had not then learned how hollow
were its pretensions, how vain its
But l was glad to de-
vote large portion of my tins to
to join her in the improve.
nent Of her mind.
She had not been long with me be.
lore she coniided to me her intention
If becoming teacher; and when |
law how conscientious was her prep.
.ratlon for this tesk. I. felt certain
hen learned that her parents were
poor, and that they had done their
utmost for her in providing her 80
rood an education. l did, however,
induce her to 60 with me to some
party or fashionable resort. 1t was
1t soiree, given by one OF our
friends, that Randolph jameson first
saw her. A new face, and one so !
spirited conversation,
brilliant and original, yet devoid OF
anything meretricious, heightened
and refined, were sure to attract and
enchain. On this occasion, she was
The centre OF the best circle the room
afforded. She made q decided SEN
sation and thenceforward found her
self unable to withdraw entirely
from observation. lfe,I
She had many admirers, but Of
these Randolph Jameson was chief.
He pursued her untiringly. At a
gallery OF paintings, at the door Of
the lecture room, In the reading
room Of the library-wherever Edith
sought knowledge or cultivation of
her favorits tastes-there, ~ II nee
essarily supplementary to them all,
she found Randolph Jameson. She
was angry annoyed pleased BY turns,
for persistent, yet courteous. atten-
tentions ike his are always sure to
win their way In the end to the
heart. Edith Clare learned to love
Randolph Jameson. :
And so the winter passed away
was still but q joyous spectator OF
others happiness. And I truly re-.
joiced In what I believed to be the
happiness and fortune Of my friend.
Mrs. Jared Jones was less san
euine. She pronounced the jane
sons as aristocratic, and asserted
that they would never be willing to
receive agirl with no family or social
prestige as the wife Of their son.
Alas she was right, experienced
woman OF the world that she was
.A,,~ Il, INV r0unanki0 0irlhOOd