Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-06-11
THE NORTHWEST
MISS woRTHINGToN.

gerbly beautiful, sdt cOuVeIsiuR III u
coy sitting-room In one OF New 1ork's
most aristocratic mansions. The hand
ssmer of the two, Maude Plerson, wore
a travelling dress of brown merino, and
was evidently resting after a journey. .
In spite of certain languor born OF
fatigue In her velvety black eyes, a pal
lor Of the clear olive skin, and the un-
becoming dress, the girl was undoubt-
edly a beauty, of gorgeous brunette
type. Her companion, passing pretty,
was of the same dark tint, but smaller
in figure, and far from possessing
Maude's great beauty.
"Tell me about everybody" Maude
said. ~ am fairly hungry for gossip
after vegetating nearly two years in that
abominable country hole with my aunt.
She has left me $4,000, however, so
that the time was not altogether thrown
away" ..
"Dead Z" cried her companion: "You
are not In mourning, and-why, Maude,
you said you were going to Mrs. Rails
toms this evening"
$50 I am.U Aunt Maria has been dead
six months and requested me not to
wear any black, and to return to town
in November. But, Cora, tell me the
news. Who has been the belle OF our
set, since I left"
aYou conceited girl" laughed her
friend.
sBah! What is the use Of playing
mock modesty between ourselves. |
would be an idiot, II / did not know l
was handsome. How Is Fred SEYMOUR
"One question at a time, though can
answer those two together. The belle
has been the object Of Fred Seymour's
special devotion, since she made her
debut recently. Mrs. Hursey introduced
her. She is a niece, l believe, of old
Mrs. Mortimer, who died three years
ago and left her all her money"
"But who is she?n
.'Her name is Worthington-Esther
Worthington."
Maude broke into a harsh laugh.
mrs. Mortimer's niece ~ she cried.
"Well, that is rich And so Fred Sey-
mour Is In love with herW
"He is certainly very devoted to her.
Everybody thinks 1t will be match" "
Amatch! cried Maude, in another
burst of mocking merriment. Fired
Seymour and Esther WorthingtOn
Well! we'll! / tell you," she said
fiercely, lit will not be match! ]
will take her down!'
"What do you mean?"
"Will this belle be at Mrs. Ralston's
this EVENING"" =.
"Probably. But do tell me, Maude,
what you know about her."
II know enough to cool Frederick
Eeymour's ardor," said Maude, sand he
shall learn the truth. TO think of that
girls daring to move in our set"
"Well, as to that" Cora replied, "be.
ing handsome, accomplished, refined
and heiress to double your fortune
Maude, / cannot see where the audac.
ity comes in, especially as Mrs, Hursey
has her for guest, and we all know
how particular she Is. The Seymours
themselves are not prouder than the
Hurseys.n
"You wait until this evening! Isup
pose the girl thinks nobody here knows
her. I'll humble her! She won't at
tend any more receptions, after I've
told my story"
"But what is your story ~
"You'll hear tonight"
eTell me now,n Cora said, coaxingly
"No. Let me lie down awhile anG
rest, or / will look like ghost this
evening"
A very brilliant ghost it would hav,
been to resemble Maude Pierson, as sht
entered Mrs. Ralston's reception-room
q few hours later. Looking across th'
crowded room, she recognized her riva
in a tall, slender girl who wore lace owe
peach-colored satin, and ornaments 0
fretted gold. Fred Seymour was alread,
in attendance, apparently, for he wa
Leading this lady to the head of a quad
rille, Just forming, when Maude en-
tered. The sight stimulated anew al
the venomous hatred of Esther Worth
ington that had been aroused by Cora
description.
A cold-hearted, calculating woman
devoted to dress, wealth and luxury
selfish TO the hearts core, carrying tn
smiling face of a belle over bitter env,
of all those more fortunate than her
self, Maude Pierson had never felt tn
touch of wOmanhO0d as when her hear
opened to embrace the handsome fac
Of Fred Seymour. An orphan, depend
ent upon an aunt devoted to the frivol
tiles Of fashion, Maude's education ha,
been superficial, and an undue valu
had been given In her thoughts to tn
advantages of birth, position and fol
tune.
Carefully during the long summer di
the beautiful brunette cherish her Owl
charms, and gloriously they repaid he
care when she burst upon her oil
friends, more superbly handsome thai
ever, at Mrs. Ralston's reception.
=. NW 4AI = a y n ~ l.