Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-07-12
Poor SnoWdrop.
BY E s. K.

Mrs. Spence, angrily. ''The idea
of asking a little chit like Nella to
ball, because Lord Wilton hap
pened to meet her on the train"
"Nella was eighteen last Mon
day,so I suppose she is old enough
MAJ said Elizabeth. the eldest
daughter; shut really think that
she must have behaved very i'm
properly, or Lord Wilton never
would have spoken to her.
''Of course she must; but as
the countess makes such a point
of it, / am afraid we must let her
CO."
II tell you what, mamma, would
be the best plan," said Clara, look
ing up eagerly. "Dress her as il
she were a child in the school-room
and then nobody will notice her
at all. A few yards of white tulle
over muslin skirt won't cost very
much, and it needn't have any
trimming except on the body"
This was agreed to, and soon at
ter luncheon, Mrs. Spence and her
daughters started for Canterbury,
to inspect the two ball dresses that
had been ordered long ago from
the dressmaker, and to purchase
the simple materials for the one
that was to be made at home.
Eleanora Lestrange was an or
phan niece, who had been received
into the household much against
the will of her two cousins. She
had two hundred year Of her
own and lovely face, SO she might
be considered q dangerous rival by
the girls. But there was no idea
in her gentle breast, as she stroll
ed down the shrubbery and across
the paddock into the woods of Will
ton Hall. Her eyes were full of
tears for her cousins had been very
rude to her about that little cpl
.sode in the train about a month
ago, when Lord Wilton, the eldest
son of the Earl and Countess of
Canterbury, had come to her assist
ance and saved her from the i'm
pertinence of a fellow traveller.
She sat down at the foot of a
gnarled oak, from which there was
a lovely view through the branches
of the trees, and resting her head
on her hand, fell into the saddest
thoughts possible for youth. No
one wanted her in her new home.
Mr.. Spence did not understand
her; Mrs. Spence said she was
wilful and untidy; the girls were
jealous Of her. Even a proper dress
for the countess's ball had been
denied her,and she would 60 look
ing like o country dowdy.
"Oh, if her own idohzed father,
Colonel Lestrang, was only alive,
or she at rest by his side in the
quiet churchyard at Beverly. AZ
''AIiss Lestrangew The soft,
rich voice startled her from her
melancholy dreams, and she look
ed up to see Lord Wilton standing
before her with his fishing rod in
his hand ''How glad I am that
came this way!" throwing down
his encumbranees, and subsiding
on to the grass at her feet. "Do
you know that / have done moth
ing but think of you from morn
ing till night ?" looking up into
her blushing face with his bold,
blue eyes.
"Then you have wasted your
time shockingly," trying to appear
at ease.
Don't you deserve it better
tnan dogs or horses ?'
mo; I'm not half so useful
'Not half so useful, | presume.
But what is the matter? You've
been crying ~
'It was nothing" growing Grim
son, "only-"
"Only what?' creeping up clos
er to her side "Have they been
bullying you 2" aferce light creep
ing into his eyes, as if he would
have liked to, bully them.
'No.o
"Then what?" They are not go
ing to prevent you from coming to
our dance ?"
s'No, I'm coming; but" her
IL.