St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-07-14
A PRETTY ROMANCE.
Was Ever Deeper Gloom Succeeded
by Brighter Sunshine.

tered as a pupil.
1t had been very kind of madame to take
one into her employ whose name had been
clouded as mine had been, and | had appre-
ciated it to the full; for, though it had been
through no fault of my own, no sooner had
the cruel blow fallen that had attainted the
name that bore with disgrace, than all the
fair-weather friends who had apparently
been so fond of me in prosperous days, fell
away until. had it not been for my mothers
old friend, should have been homeless as
well as parentlesS and unhappy.
My miSfortuneS. united to an excessive
senSitiveneSS, had combined to render me
morbid and reserved in the extreme.
But before the winning charm of EStelle
Carleton all my barriers of GOODNESS were
cast down. From the first she had seemed
attracted to me; perhaps it was because of
the entire contrast there was between us,
for where l was all darkness she was all
light.
/ will try to describe her She was slight
ana ethereal of figure, with eyes as blue as
dew-washed violets and face whose skin
was tinted as delicately and softly as an in
fant's; her mouth was loves own throne,
with a sweetness of expression that never
failed, wherever she went, to win all hearts
to her.
And she won mine Poor and full of sOr-
row as was. she chose me from amongst
her gay companions for her friend, and in
time my own lips learned to copy in graver
fashion the smiles that so constantly played
about hers, while. as | looked forward.
glow of hope began to dispense the utter
darkness that the future had hitherto only
seemed to hold for me. For this is what
EStelle said to me:
when l finish the academy course,
which you know will be in just one more
years time, l shall not leave you. You
shall come with me, You need not shake
your head, Marcia, it will certainly be SO. L
am my own mistress. Aunt Mary only lives
to crafty me, and she will be only too de-
lighted to have me provided with compan-
ion of my own age. See, here is her last
letter, mentioning you, and saying how
much she would like TO know you"
And as / read the kind old lady's letter
tears rushed to my eyes. While GOODNESS
and Sights had only the power to rouse all
that was hardest in my nature, a Sympa-
thetic word or action would always unseal
the healing font.
The year slipped by, and I babe Madame
Dupoy gOod-by, thanking her gratefully for
her many kindnesseS.
Indeed, l have received more than
have given. l shall miss your services
sorely, Miss Murray. and 1 shall be delighted
to welcome you back again, if ever you
should wish TO return"
And so, after being an inmate of its walls
for five long years, L left the academy to
accompany my friend to her home.
/ had heard that Estelle Carleton was a
great heireSs. but SO simple and unaffected
had she always been in her attire and man
ner, that until / saw the elegance of her
stately home | hardly realized the truth of
what rumor had avouched.
The days rolled by until they merged into
weeks, and months and then years. Three
had elapsed since my advent at Belvoir, and
already a tiny cloud had doomed up over the
horizon of my happiness, visible only to my
own vision, for as yet Estelle had only an
linking of what was in my mind.
Six months previous new neighbor had
made his appearance in the vicinity of Bel
vOir. His handsome presence and evident
refinement and culture had soon obtained
for him the entree to the best circles, and
thus Estelle had met him.
Despite her many urgingS, even supplica-
tiOns, L never accompanied her to any of
the parties or gay doings to which she was
frequently invited.
81 am more content at home" would
always answer.
''You are too handsome. Marcia. to al
ways hide so perSistently your light under a
bushel. Come with me tonight. and let
me add to my enjoyment the additional
pleasure of seeing the sensation you will
create"
Only once she said anything like that.
When she heard my reply she never again
urged me to set aside my resolution
IF you love me, Estelle, do not ask me
to leave the Seclusion in which have found
such peace. Once out in the cruel world.
/ should again feel the sting of contemptu-
Gus, averted looks. | should inevitably
meet someone who knew my painful story
and whose eyes would not scruple to tell
me So"
But it was not long before too met
Arthur Meade: for, in the company of a
mutual acquaintance, he called, and once
having learned the way he did not forget it.
AS his visits became frequent, and no
ticed the eloquent light that would spring
into his eyes as they rested upon Estelle's
lovely face, and the answering glow that
would deepen to sudden damaSk the ten
der pink of her cheek, read all too clearly
just what was approaching and that my
Image would soon no longer be foremost in
my darling'S heart.
And SO when, one day, she hid her blush
ing face upon my bosom, and whispered her
sweet secret was not taken by surprise.
L was silent for moment after she con
cluded. Though tried to speak, a lump
rose in my throat and prevented me.
She looked up quickly.
''Why do you look so sad? You like Ar
thur-you have told me so-dear Marcia:
you rejoice with me?"
''Surely yes to both questions" / re-
piled, Straining her to my breast with cling
ing arms.
But you do not understand why. though
am happy in your happiness. L grieve as
well. Estelle, your marriage means only
hope and JOY TO yOu-to me it will be separa-
ton from her love best in all the world''
Not so, not So" she cried INV home
will always be yours. We cannot be
parted!'
But though she wept and tried by every
fond MEANS even drawing her lover into
acting Jointly with herself, my decision was
not to be changed.
would remain at Belvoir until her mar
rage should take place, and then L would
return to Nine. Dupoy's
Twelve months more. full OF activity and
preparation, and then came the Wedding
day. For the first time in many wears was
to form one of brilliant social spectacle.
Despite my shrinking and unwillingness
neither Mr.. Meade nor EStelle would take
any denial. l was not alone to Join in the
festivities, but / was to be an important
factor i'll the bridal group as Estelle's brides
maid.
Il wish no display, and, therefore. shall
have but one" Estelle said ''If you will
not be that one Marcia, l shall stand alone. y
OF course L could not but consent: and
one afternoon. with my hand upon the ann
of tall soldierly man, whose face had
seen for the first time that morning, stood
by the side of my darling and him she had
chosen ont OF all the world to love honor