The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-03-07
SELECT STORY.
A STRANGE VALENTINE.

/.
In the dusky light of fragrant and
richly adoi ned drawing room two peo-
pie were in animated conversation.
One---a woman of so, handsome still
and with toilet suggestive of much
care and thought--was speaking not
only with decision, but with positive
anger, although her self-control was
great enough to keep her voice from
rising, it was not able to prevent a
tremulous vibration which she vainly
tried to stihe. She was sitting on a
high-backed, embroidered chair, in an
attitude as faultless as the fit of her
satin gown.
The other-a girl of 20, with great,
clear brown eyes and fluffy brown
hair and graceful figure, stood as
young child might have done at receiv-
ing reprimand. Her eyes were cast
down, the lashes dropping till they
nearly touched her cheeks, and her
fingers were nervously picking to
pieces a sprig of heiotrope from a
magnificent basket of flowers beside
her.
at is the most absurd thing ever
heard off, said the elder lady, with a
scornful smile. 81 really cannot waste
any more words upon it. You were
always quioxtic, Teresa, and this per-
formance caps the climax. In nearly
one and the same breath you tell me
you love him and that You have re-
fused him. Oh, it is too disappoint-
ing!'
"Aunt.'
"Well?"
"Please let it drop-forget it."
The tone was pleading--the voice
sweet.
"Forget it, indeed Do you think l
will allow you to oppose me in this
style? Have not daughters of my
own, and cares enough of my own,
without being longer burdened with
one so obstinate and self-willed as you,
Teresa?"
81 did not know mean said
the young girl depreciatingly. But
she was quickly interrupted.
"Now, don't plead ignorance don't
tell me that you don't know my wishes,
and did not mean to offend me"
81 really did not think of you at
ALL"
"Worse and worse Well, this is
plain speech. And whom do you
think of-only yourself? Selfish child |!
is this my reward for educating you
and allowing you every luxury, spend
ing time and money on you as freely
as my own?"
"Aunt-Aunt Geraldine, please for
give me-"
The young voice faltered the pink
flush gave way to pallor; the brown
eyes filled.
"No, Teresa it's mockery to ask
that and want you clearly to under
stand that this is to be no longer your
home. You have exhausted my pa
tience, and now the end has come. l
have rented this house, and am going
abroad. Sibyl and Gladys are both
delicate and need the change"
"But, aunt, where am to go? what
am to do ?"
"a pretty question to put to me
now, after such behavior. Consult
your friends. I have no further inter-
est in you"
The cruelty of these words seemed
to freeze the young girl. Her brown
eyes opened widely; her color came
and went. She stared at the speaker
as if not able to believe the words just
uttered, and then, rushing from the
room, found her own apartment and
flung herself down in an agony of grief
and self-reproach. To whom could she
turn for sympathy and pity when the
one she had learned to regard az heI
natural protector spurned her and vii
fully misunderstood her? What had
she done that was 80 grevious? Had
she not battled against her own feel
ings and conscientiously done what she
thought to be ri ght?
Meanwhile Mrs. Geraldine Ganse
voort, having spent her anger and in
dignation, rang the bell and ordered
her coupe.
She had to drive alone, Sibyl ant
Gladys, her delicate daughters, had
gone to reception, Frank, her son, {
young physician, was never able to &c
with her, "office hours preventing.
Her thoughts were far from pleas
ant. 1t disturbed her circulation to b,
thus excited. Teresa, in the plail
terms she used to herself, was fool
and why should she allow fool to an
noy herr But the girl should be pun
ished. The idea of a portionless or
phan refusing such an offer as that o
Leroy Jones!-a millionaire, a persol
whose horses and yachts were the env,
of all his comrades And why, for
sooth? Because she chose to think hin
unsteady, weak; because his little fol
bles to this fresh, young, unsophistica
ted girl seems to be his vices. Oh,
was too vexatious The more 80 as sh
felt that all her good, sound, worldly
wise advice and training had beel
wasted. As for Slbyl and Gladys-oh
if they could have had such a chance
poor delicate daf1ings!