The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1886-07-28
SELECTED.
MISS AARsURToN's RIVAL.

Miss Ilarburton'S very fashionable ap-
pc nted coupe drew up before house of
very shabby aspect in an unfaSl iunable
street and Miss Ilarburton's pae high
bred face, with its air of lofty serenity,
behind the glass, which had
very carefully been raised, and seemed to
rcconnoitrc the premises. Then the young
lady slowly and deliberately alightcd.
She did not look SO very young when in
the full glare of daylight, standing with
visible Impotence before the door, which
was some time in opening. She WAS, per-
haps, slightly faded, but You could not
have called her anything hut handsome all
the same. And the slattcmly female who
finally admitted her 9azed with II tiutter-
Ing fiXcdncss at her very elegant appari-
ton.
Second floor" said this person, briefly
and To the second floor. up the dark stairs
with their strip of oilcloth, Miss llarbur-
ton accordingly mounted,
She drew herself together with II little
fastidiou> shuddcr before knocking, but
this time the door was opened with great
promptncsS and Miss llarburton found
herself walking into bright, sunny
room whose aspect of extreme neatncss,
not devoid of comfort, and even of Il
certain tastefnlncss, took her, if one was
to Judge by the transient expression of
her face, very much by surprise.
.'Bc seated. How can serve YOU
said the CHEEKY voice of a large. stout,
mothcrly looking woman, with the bright
est of eyes and the whitcst of teeth, who
opened the door. She spoke with Il
strong German accent and stood waiting
for the answer, with IA broad smile illu-
mining her rubicund and open countc-
nance.
Miss Adele Roth-is She in? should
like to see her. said Miss lIarburton
coldly, overcoming her surprise.
Il will call her said the mothcrly
looking aunt of Miss Roth, and di>ap-
peared, still smiling genialy. Coarse,
familiar creature" thought Miss llarbur-
ton She was not left long to her
thoughts. \ moment later she was face
to face with young girl some seven or
eight years her Junior, who came for
ward with IA pretty half smile rs frank
and genial as that of the matron who had
admitted the visitor. She seemed the
very incarnation of lnghng youth, this
girl. Her face was wonderfully piquant
and winning, framed by chestnut curl>
that were cropped close, like II boys, and
her color was like that of a wild rose
There was no trace of paint there, MOI
was there anything that spoke of the
opera boulie, or its association in the very
simple, pretty, dark dress which tittee
with such seemly grace upon the young
actress 1.-the, round figure.
She sal down very quietly and waited
smiling, for her unknown visitor to stat,
her GRAND. But Miss Ilarburton scemeC
to experience some difficulty in doing 50
J 10,
upon her entrance into this household slit
would not perhaps have been able to tel
/ herself But certain it was that this or
/ derby, homclikc interior, and this self
possessed, Understanding girl, with hel
/ respectable ducnda of the modest German
countcnanec, formed a total very unlike
/ what she had conceived She sat speech
less a moment, then said coldly;
Il have heard of you great deal
/ have seen you on the stage
Adele nodded her head without speak
/ ing. She WAS still smiling. This lady,
/ high and mighty manner l''She is very ell
cgant and handsome Adele thought tc
/ herself, hut She looks very well please
with herself and quite too condcsCending
and patronizng) amused her little
She had a very well poised little head
this Young creature who did pages part
SO very cnchantingly and could have be
come such favoritc with the friyolou,
and gildcd youth had she not had an aus
tcre sclf-respcct behind all her laughing
/ coquctry which they all recognized an,
pcrforcc had to bow To.
Finding that her opening had not led Il
anything Miss lIarhnrlon TOOK the bul
by the horns Why, after all. waste tim,
on circumstances: Ridiculous, with thi
girl,
"You know Mr.. IIuhurt Lindlcy?' sh
said abruptly, or rather he knows you
1t is about him | have come to speak I,
YOU"
This time Adele did not smile Mis-
llarburion on, with sarcastic twitch of TN
lips, observed that the girls face change
n little. Her color decpcncd, but she wa
not in the least intimidatcd.
yes" she said. Il know him
And he is in the habit of comm!
home with you after the theatre am
spending most of the sundays here
continued Miss llarburton, a flush risini
slowly to her cool cheek.
Adcle's eyes flashed Her spirit wa
reused.
Have you any ohjcction>;' She de
handed, sharply. Have You any RICH
to come here talking about Mr.. Lindley;
If | had not | should not be here.
Miss Harburtons voice tremhlcd. Sh
had not intended to condeseend to an
vulgar scene when she had come here