The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-02-16
PRETTY MISS BROADLANDs.

Emma G. Dolud. IN st. Nicholas.
PRETTY MISS BROADLANDS.
Some people seemed to think that it
was almost pity Miss Broadlands should
be soliberally endowed. .'She is SO pref
ty, and she is SO rich," they said, a lit
tie sadly. and they appeared to owe her
a grudge for having SO much. If she
had been simply pretty, or simply rich,
it would not have been so hard to bear,
and they could have forgiven her more
easily. Lovers? OF course they were
always about her. Sending flowers and
bonbons, writing verses, and dedicat-
ing symphonies to her charms.
''Quite natural that q girl with for
tune should not lack suitors," friend
said to her one day. '.How many do
you think You would keep, dear, if
you were as poor as my girlsP"
Few, no doubt, p" she answered, gay
ly; but the shaft went home.
She became more Indifferent than be-
fore; but this very indifference piqued
and pleased her admirers. Every one
of them believed himself able to over
come it; they wanted all the more what
was out of their reach; it surrounded
her with an atmosphere of mystery;
they could not understand her. Con-
slant Stanley, however, fattered him
self that he had penetrated her fine re-
serve, and perhaps this was merely be-
cause Miss Broadlands was nearer be-
ing in love with him than with any one
she had ever met; since she half sus-
Pected that her personality attracted
him, and not her purse; that her
money was but dross in his eyes; be-
cause she was more receptive to his
batteries, did not laugh at his half
tender nonsense, and toss it back to
him with pretty sarcasm and raillery.
IF am ever obliged to earn my
living" she said on one occasion, when
the subject of woman's wages and
work was under discussion, II shall
become nurse"
Heaven grant that may be an in
valid at that time!'' said Constant
And l." put in another admirer,
"will be the attending physician.
You could do something better than
that" Constant added. aside; .syou
could keep house for me-"
IF everybody were only sincere
she thought, regarding him, .'and never
flirted or talked to pass the time mere
ly; II money were not the root of evilr'
Miss Broadlands was all alone in the
world, with her beauty and her money.
but she filed her splendid house with
company, or she passed the time at
some gay summer resort with friends;
sometimes she made pilgrimage to
her man of business, Mr.. Stanhope,
living in a neighboring city, in order to
know how she stood, she said. After
her return from one of these visits at
one time 1t was observed by few
sharp-sighted that she no longer enter
tanned as freely as before; presently
she had sold her saddle-horse. "Iam
going TO try walking" she exclaimed.
The doctors think It is healthier for
me-"
But you are the picture of health, -
said Constant, with tender glance.
Yes; but an once Of prevention, YOU
know, is worth pound of cure"
Presently it leaked out that she had
sold q lot from her ample garden, and
one day the town was electrified to find
the Broadlands estate under the ham,
mer. Miss Broadlands had gone away
some months before, and It was rn-
mored that she was in training school
for nurses rumor which was con-
hrmed when she returned to enter a
hospital of the city in the capacity of
nurse. Those who had grudged her
her good fortune now said: ssShe is SO
pretty that pity is thrown away upon
her; beauty is dover enough. No doubt
1t is hard to lose money, but is harder
still never to have any to lose.'' And
her loversp "She is so busy" they
said, 1--WE can not see her unless we
fall i'll or 60 mad" However, there
were no moro flowers heaped upon her,
verses and symphonies were no longer
inscribed to her name. She had passed
out of fashion. But Miss Broadlands
was not discomforted. It was 4 new
world. this world of patients. where
she was . shining light. She had
wearied Of that other world Of sham
lovers and fashion. Here she was se- |
cure; nobody could be tempted To
make love to her ever again unless his
heart werc In It. Constant STANLEY had |
been called abroad by the serious ill- |
ness Of his father It German spa, be-
fore the final sale Of Broadlands, which |
place, however. remained untenanted |
b. the purchaser, whoever he was.
Her other lovers had been weighed In
he balance and found wanting; howl
would it b With him? Wa 81 tue
Enough 70 love M whotk q kor 61rcuh- I
ssasss vsrs 5plsnai4 y snekds But!