St. Landry democrat., 1886-09-11

over refined and cool that his heart felt
chilled when he contrasted it with
former visits. The Brantners were
equal in wealth and social standing to
the Forests. Their Fifth avenue man
sion was as grand as the FORESTS, they
drove equipages equally as gay, and
stood as high in society. Not spot or
blemish had ever been on the name of
Brantner. Mr.. Brantner, as business
man, was shrewd and careful, but the
soul of honor, and Mrs. Brantner was
respected in society for her kindness
| of heart, as well as her sterling
| worth. But poor Albert was to
| bitterly realize that he was not a
| Lord. He had no noble blood in his veins,
and even though he came to inherit
countless millions, even though he
possess one of the most brilliant minds
| as statesman Or business man, he
could not shine in the courts of England
where none but the blue bloods were
permitted to associate. He could only
bring wealth and an honorable name to
Miss Lillian, and she wanted title. AL
bert thought he had never seen Lillian
so beautiful as she appeared in her
proud, cold manner. Her mother had
succeeded well in her training. The
daughter had the cold hauteur of one
who was to become great Lady. The
puzzled Albert strove to find the cause
of this change, but Lillian was distant
and reserved.
They were in the parlor alone, and
as the hour of his departure drew near
ha Fl,
She turned to the piano and sung in
such sweetness favorite air that AL
bert was almost enraptured. The boy
lover, for he was nothing more, burst
all barriers at the conclusion of the song
and said:
LILLIAN, why are you 80 changed?"
For a moment the natural impulses
of her heart seemed to get the better of
her, and she was confused. The blood
mounted her check, but forcing ON that
icy rigidity once more, she asked:
IAN | changed?'
''You are. | can not understand it.
You are so cool to-day when you are on
the eve of going away, too-and when
| had something | wanted so much to
say"
He dared not trust himself further and
turned away, hoping her girlish curios-
ity would prompt her to ask what that
something was. But she was only ST.
lent, formal and cold as stranger. AL
bert left the house in such tit of de-
spair, as in a young fellow of nineteen
might be expected. His indignation for
the first few hours in a measure coun-
teracted the the pain at his heart, but
as weeks wore on his anger faded away,
and only the aching void remained.
The FORESTS sailed for Europe, and
Lillian was put in special training to
catch Lord. She returned on her sew
enteenth birthday, made her debut at
ball given by her mother. at which all
the elite of the city were invited, in
Guiding some broken-down rakes of the |
English nobility who were in New York |
trying to recruit their wasted fortunes. |
These noblemen were of the class whose |
morals are below par, but being of the |
ancient English aristocracy, they were
welcomed to American society, while to |
better people the doors were closed.
Washington Irving in his sketch book
says: ''The bare name of Englishman
was a passport to the confidence and |
hospitality of every family, and too Of
ten gave transient currency to the
worthless and ungratefql. Throughout
the country there was something of en-
thusiasm connected with the idea of |
Had Mr.. Irving lived to
the present decade he would have seen
this feeling intensified hundred fold in
the great Atlantic cities. To have q
daughter or relative marry into the
English nobility, be that nobility ever SO
iisreputable, is the highesthonort to which
the Anglo-American millionaire can at
tain.
Albert Branter was now twenty-one
years of age, had completed his college
course and was embarked in the legal
profession with great promise. No
mind was said to be more brilliant, and
MS oratory as a lawyer and statesman
would soon awaken the world. He had
been very anxious to see Lillian since
ler return from Europe, and yet he re-
'rained from calling on the family. re-
the cold reception he had
received before. When the great ball
vas given he was invited, to be sure.
they could not entirely forget their old
though more anxious about the
lew.
The large parlors in which Mrs. For
est, assisted by her friend Mrs. Bounce
veil. received her guests were furnished
n Louis XIV. style, which indeed was
he prevailing decoration of the resi-
lence. The walls and ceilings were in
panels of carved oak, and the panels
Lbove the doors and windows were the
york of one of the most noted French
srtists. Thepartiers and hangings were
n pale gray silk with tinted tea rose