St. Landry democrat., 1886-09-11

~ oSoItSp "a PlAh looCS'
If Albert had thought her beautiful
before, she was perfectly enchanting on
this occasion. Her cheeks were glow
ing with pleasure and her eyes were
sparkling with excitement. He was
warmly greeted, but could not see that
Lillian was more anxious to see him
than she was to see many others. She
was in the society of Sir Thomas Nor
vile, an English Baronet, whose face
betrayed dissipation and grossness in
tolerable in any other than Lord. He
strove again and again to have a tete-
a-tete with Lillian, hoping that he might
awaken some old childhood interest in
her, but in vain. The nobleman was
always in the way, and she seemed ever
engaged. But he excused her with the
recollection that her duty as hostess
gave her little time to any particular
guest, nevertheless she found much
time for the society of Sir Thomas. AL
bert went home miserable, and Miss
Lillian retired that morning with her
head in a whirl. She had begun to re-
alize that she might be Lady.
Two years have passed and society
rings with the praises of the
new belle. Her name is on every lip.
The daily and society papers have en-
tended accounts of her remarkab BILE
beauty. 1t is even whispered that her
charms have become known in Europe
She has hopes that she is already ex-
pected to grace the drawing-roons of
the Queen. Sir Thomas Norville was
rather varying in his attentions to the
young American belle, until sudden re-
verses of fortune rendered him penni-
less. Then he began to sue in earnest
for her hand. Albert Brantner saw the
danger to which the being he loved was
exposed, and was doing all in his power
to save her from destruction. When an
American girl chooses to marry Lord,
nothing can alter her determination.
Lillian loved Albert, in secret, and
was crushing her heart for her ambi-
ton. There was nothing lovable in
that coarse, vulgar Englishman, noble
in name only. He could not be COM
pared to the really noble American. At
last Albert sought an interview with
her and in his despair declared his love
for her. She listened calmly to him,
and with GOODNESS characteristic of an
strongminded woman, she
informed him that should she follow
her own inclinations she would accept
him, but that she had higher aims. She
would marry Lord or never wed.
''1ou are talented young man, AL
bert" she continued, in her cool, COM
mon-place manner. "You have
wealth, position and influence, and the
ability to make you a great man, but
you can never be Lord You can
never be on social level with Barons,
Dukes. Lords and Kings My husband
must not only have the qualifications of
a Lord, he must be one"
He fixed his eyes upon her as he
leaned against the mantel, and with a
1eep sigh, replied:
$50 for the sake of an empty title
you will sacrifice your happiness? You
will sell your soul to be Lady,"
She answered in the affirmative, and
bidding her good afternoon, Albert |
walked out into the hall, took his hat
rom the rack and left the house. He
vas filed with indignation, and his
spirit, life and ambition were crushed. |
lie was too much man to press his
'uit further, and yet had he seen the |
ears of agony shed by the ambitious
yirl, he would have pitied her. The |
'acrifice was great one, for her pride |
he felt, had doomed her to misery.
She had but one ambition left, and she
would give her hopes of Heaven to have
hat attained.
Six months after rejecting Albert
3rantner she became the wife of Sir
Thomas Norville. The wedding was a
grand affair. In eclat New York has
lever surpassed it. Brilliant costumes.
lazzling diamonds, wit and beauty,
made it an occasion long to be remem-
,ered. But it was pale, cold bride
lis lordship received. Sir Thomas, as
leartless and selfish in this as in all
'ther matters, went gaily through the
Wedding ceremonies, regardless of all
'reaking hearts. Albert Brantner had
ong since forgiven the woman who had
him and herself. He was now
ontent to only exist, with no lofty
for the future. Had he been
ess strong he would have plunged into
course of dissipation which might
ave temporarily drowned the heart
che, but would have bred a canker
which would have eaten his heart away.
Ie lost heart, and in years time be-
anne silent, moody man, prematurely
'rown old; society lost him. He re-
aimed his honor, but that intellect
'hich once bid fair to become brilliant
7as dulled and dwarfed by the blow it
eceived.
His sufferings could not have surpass-
ed those of the foolish girl who sacri-
ced herself to become a Lady. Her
usband at once took charge of her
,arriage portion. They went on a