New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-08-10
n that Won will suddenly settle

4
| Wa met constantly, during tho next Tow "eohH'
| AT a number of different entertainments. ME- NY
ack never danced AZ any of them II struck me tht
she was by no means enjoying herself Oh" ""''
always before appeared 10 enjoy herself WIN sue,
an extreme heartnoss You seldom heard heI '"usn
sound above the music; you did not see tho pIis"'
| fash Of her smile half 80 often rs before n""
never thought of her age previously nat somehow
| thoneht of il now. Had il suddenly made itself
manifest in her countonancef | was not sure ana
yot with the cessation of her former buoyancy new
limos or tho suggestions of lines, seemed to have
stolen ont on check brow and temple with
vaguely marring effect
Natalie meanwhile had lost every trace OF her
maidenly shyneSs As matter Of course, the only
child of Croton Nyack had become belle. But
Natalie descrS ed TO be belle. She had no w.t. no
power to be adroit. rusee, captivating. But she
thoroughly liked all the pOmp and ceremony OF
fashion, and had frank girlish charms which, when
her doyo tees remembered them st0utly backed by
her fathers millions. were in no danger OF beng
undervaluod
al see that Natalie tOlerases that shocking little
Ten Eyck boy" said to Mrs. Nyack, ono afternoon
at a tea.
celebrates him :" was the unexpected answer.
" / suspect that she likes him very much indeed"
Really" ] murmurcd. al should never have
imagined IT, OF course no is sole heir to the massive
Ten Eyck fortune. But he"
"Pray say 40 more" broke in Mrs Nyack with
quick interruption.
had intended to add that Bond Ten Eycl was
silly babblor, with whte eyelashes and the brain
Of a kitten. But did not add this. for a sudden
surmise kept me silent.
One evening not long afterwarh. dined at Mrs.
Nyacks house. There several other guests
Natalie sat w-lidded and dishatc all through din
nor. ! had chance OF addressing her until after
ward III the drawng-IUom when the men came in
TO Join the ladies
eYou are somehow not your bright self this even
ing said We occupied rathcf remote lounge
together. IF had spoken much more loudly than
did speak still would not have been heard by any
ono save her whom addressed.
Natalie lifted her soft eyes and let them dwell
very disconsoatoly upon mine Her lip quivcrcd
for an instant. perceived, somehow. that she had
the impulse of making me q confidence. aud then
that she restrained this impulse ~ though it were
not to bc scnubly entertained.
" hdrmt been feeling just right" shn snid
leaned little coarr ~ Natalie then Il IL Ill
hculth7" questioned "of h il souc tfoublo'"
She started and lad her hand on my arm 1t
II IL some trouble" she falercl Then che ,ntncd
quietly. for m instant. toward where her nolhcr
wns ,cnied. 81 | nm yory unhappy she gontly
continued.
"Youve no tclson 30 be-" ! ycniurcd, perhaps u
good donl too cnllou,ly and tentatively
ono relaonT echoed Natalie. Nho looked M me
with great oarnrstness for n very short spncc Of
time | don't know what she saw ~ my face. !
fancy that she saw considerable sympathy there.
had begun to do more than suspect how matters
stood
"Aro You going 10 thc Wcstcr,cds party to.
uightF' asked
@No" said Natalie. shaking lcr head "Mamma
docs ant wis, mo 70 60" She .uddcnly regarded mo
with u fcycrsh intcntncas "Doni hH ua.ltnn I
sad that" she proceeded. put I'm afraid YOU
viii. for YOU md mamma arc nuch good friends"
81 promise you that will pay nothing" came
,ny answer. " Has your mnthof forbidden you g.
eof
"oh. not at all" ssid Nnialic futtycly brighten
ing She lowered hor voice to Whisper now. |
iut mamma has given REASONS The WcsterVcldts |
are not specially desirable people II ~ very |
small affair. Mt which only few unmarried girls
will bo present II Was asked she says only
because am MISS NvacE. But understand il all
How can | help understanding It All Il have
soon il for wooks-or months. | saw IL when there
was first the least talk of my goine ont into society
lit Ia, been stone round my neck lit was
this that made mc 50 timd when | was "a d(bE'Gnte;
II has always been distressing me, ever since"
These last sentences were 80 cxctcdly uttered that
'
placid. obeisant little girl whom / had thus far
always known. I lnus,d for q short whil' before |
spoke again. l an afraid that had latent mo-
tive IN my demHr
DO you mean" said very quietly. that your
mother is not your very good friend ~
Natalie cui'cd her lip in covert set bitter way.
" | mean" 81. declared yehcmcnuy under her
breath that mamma is my enemy Yes, know
if is horribe for ms 10 say so, have lain awake
az night, thinking Just how horrible it is! But
can't help saving If now. for il is true don't
mean that mamma haces mr. II is something else
that she hatos. And represent that something
else.' snow her that she growing old. Ard
growing old il horrible to her she shriu5s from it
rs if it were pest. daresay she can't help it.
She clings 80 her youth-t0 her repute for being
youngi 1t is agony for her to be placed among tho
natrons the dowagcrs | should never baye been
her child. She Should never have had "A chIldi |
But / grew up. became Of are and sne had to
bring out. And now she his but one aim-onc
desro-Oue intention w
" What intrntlon7" I asked. | was shocked a. /
put my question, for / knew that the poor erl
suffered greatly
Don't you inowg" Natalie answered with as
bitter little roll Of laughter rs have eyer heard
leave feminine lips Mamma want, TO marry me.
II don't wish to give you the idea that she hate,
ne. But she hates me to be rs auto show her
monde that she must take back seat "a the phrase
cocs-to appear in the motlcrly role She WAS
always charming to mo TIL grew M: she il ALWAYS
charming 70 everybody But since have begun +,
share her reign with her. all is altered. Irnake her
suffer lev my very presence. She wishes me away.
She cannot endure me Aud now" there
Natale's voice broke mi,srabyl, "now. She wants
ne too mary Bond
"Good evening. Mas Natalie" sand VOICE quite
ieat ~.
Bond Ton Eyol. with his uneasy little Grutc. his
white ctclnshcs. his ptoposlefontlv self satisfied
ununrf had iud pat 0ut 70 llnk Rlptrd Ennd