The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-07-29
Selfrf Story.
OUT Of PITY.

She was just II; the very younges,
little bride that any one remembered
ever coming to reign ct Arntown Tow
ers; the sweetest, daintiest little Lady
Fielding that the country had ever vel.
coined.
To herself 1t was like dream. It had
come so fast; It seemed 40 II all her life
had lived itself in those six months, the
leaving her Eoglish school and going
out to her fathers plantation 10 Ceylon,
so proud to be his housekeeper and com.
panion the strange, brief life on :he up.
county coffee estate. Then the young
English stranger who passed Though
Lindoola In bis rather vague wande: ings
for adventures sake, and who WAS 70.
ceived aud entertained at Holme Har
court with the delighted open.hsnded
hospitality of the coloEies.
And then the awful night when the
sudden terrible stroke OF cholers left her
fatherless, ard life seemed great black
void; and the chsplain's vile had been
good to her, and kept her from dying in
despair; aud Sir Harry Fielding had
been still more good; :. and then-snd
then-she was resting her poor little or.
phaned head on Q heart that Was kind
and true as her own -fathers,an strong
arm was close around her slender waist,
and the voice she liked alone 10 hear, ol
all the voices around her, WAS telling heI
she should never know another sorro =
be could guard her from He seemed
he only real thing in all that dream.
time; the sad past. and the present ths,
Was so happy, hut just as unlike reality
Was it really herself, simple little Nests
Harcourt, that people were fussine ovel
and petling and welcoming home - I
she bad been a'royal Princess ,
Perhaps It 4was rs we'll she could not
realize II, or ber head might have beer
turned. Why, had not the whole weet
Harry and she were spending With hi,
sister. Mrs. Mostyn, to present Nesta L
the countryside, been one round Of fes
tivities. OF which she was the queen
This evening they had all driven TO- .
grand concert in the country town. tc
hear famous singer: and Nests, in bel
wonderful golden satin gown, rich viii
embroidery and lace, with her eyes out
shining the diamonds on her white neck
and her cheek flushed With its pretty shy
pink, had been On attraction second only
to the queen OF song herself. She felt I
little weary with the excitement and tbs
happiness, now that they bad reached
home and we're having supper 10 th.
great hall, for the concert bad forced
them to dine rather earlier than usual.
The house was Gro owded with guests
aod they were all vehemently declaring
that the night was hardly begun yet, and
they. meant to finish it with few games
The furniture 10 the blue drawing room
was being hastily moved, and Nesta's
head sank at the thought of further ex
ertion; her head ached and she vas worn
out. She would slip away quietlyqto bed
and leave Harry TO make her excuses ID
Eleanor. Where was Harry, by the way
She bad not seen him since they had sa
down to supper, and be and that beauti.
full Miss Trafford were talking in ths
doorway. A hasty search through the
nearest rooms had no result, and Nests
stopped by an open door to glance in. q
the half.clesred drawing.room.
Two portly dowagers were deep IL
conversation, their heads bent togethel
behind their fans; but their voices ros,
above the music Eleanor was playing
and Nesta could not help hearing wha
they said.
"Gladys Trsfford; yes, indeed y erie,
the black velvet gown to the purple bro
cade "a very, very old love affair tha,
my dear. He and she were perfectly in
separable, and q most suitable match
would have been. The two oldest fami
lies in the county; his equal in positio
and fortune. Lord Stourbridge's estate
are next to his, you know, and Glady
is heiress to a great part"