St. Landry democrat., 1886-09-11
MARRYING A LORD.
An Ambitious American Girl
Blights Two Promising Lives.
Originally

Originally
Lillian Forrest was a belle who had
suddenly burst on New York society
with splendor which quite eclipsed any
former debutante. She had all heart
could wish. Her fathers wealth was
unbounded; her own natural charms, to
which was added every accomplishment
home and foreign schools could afford,
were OF the highest type of beauty.
Miss Lillian was sensible girl, but
governed by an overriding ambition.
Ambition, like temptation, leads one
from one degree to another, until such
heights or depths have been attained AS
the individual never dreamed of at the
outset. Alexander had no idea of con-
quering all the known world when he
assaulted Tyre. Napoleon original de-
sign was not such gigantic conquests as
he attained, and Miss Forrest, when she
made her debut in society, would have
been content with an humble place in
the sphere for which she was intended.
Her little head was doubtless turned at
first by so many gay ladies and gentle
men. She was accustomed to silks and
satins, founces, furbelows and laces,
diamonds. rubies, sapphires and pearls,
but genteel tlattery and sparkling wit,
which outshone the most brilliant gems,
was something new to her. Her mother
had for long time held position in
society which her husbands wealth en-
abled her to do, and she was anxious to
have her daughter enter it as soon
as possible. She wanted Lillian to
make her debut at fifteen, but her
father, who was more practical and
level headed than the fashionable
mother, insisted on Lillian having a
years training in the best schools
of fashion in Europe, with the best
dancing masters and musicians the old
world could afford. Mrs. Forrest was
made to see the advantages such culture
would Ito her daughter and consented.
Consequently the family made arrange
ments to spend a year in Europe.
Although Lillian was designed for
society lady, she had not become one
yet, nor was her heart yet cold and sell
fish. She had little circle of child
hood friends and school-mates, from
whom she had not severed ties of early
acquaintance. Prominent among them
was Albert Brantner, the son of ship
ping merchant, friend of the proud
family, who naturally grew to love Miss
Lillian. No vows had ever passed be-
tween the young people, but Albert, who
had frequently been in the young Miss
society, had looked the love with his
eyes which his lips dared not speak.
Mrs. Forrest, with the eye of discern
ing mother, saw the lads growing at
tachment for her daughter. One day
she had Lillian brought to her boudoir. |
The fashionable lady reclined upon silk |
and velvet cushions, toying with her
ieweled hand the uncut leaves !
of a society novel. With her daughter
sitting opposite her, the ambitious
mother told her ofgrand courts, gallant
mobiles and Lords, who sometimes con-
descend to marry American wealth and
beauty. To be the wife of Lord was
to be a Lady-a member of the ancient
aristocracy of England, and that any
young lady possessing such natural at
fractions and charms, refinement and
fabulous wealth, might become a great
Lady and be in attendance at the recep-
tons of Kings and Queens. 1t is use
less to add that poor little LilliaD's head
was completely turned by her mothers
adroit fattery and graphic description
Of gilded courts. Ambition for the first
lime crept into her young heart, and she
ielt that to be a Lady-to be admired
Ind oourted perhaps by the Princes of
sarth-was hencefPrth her highest am
oition. When alone and thoughts of
Albert Brantner crowded into her mind
shade came over her fair brow, and
he felt sting Of remorse at her heart;
,ut recollections of the gay scenes her
mother had SO wildly pictured steeled
Ter heart against any thing SO common
IS shipping merchant.
The college term was out. and the
,acation during which the FORESTS we're
o sail for Europe came. Albert Brant-
Ter, on hearing of Lillian's intended so
ourn in Europe, fastened to the elegant
mansion on Fifth Avenue to pay visit