West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1886-03-12
band, and l planasd my life according.

My mother was a poor widow when
Colonel Monroe married her. She had
barely means enough TO exc out our ex-
penses, but she was very handsome and
fascinating She had what peorle
called "a way with men, that was
irresistible. She fostered the idea that
was TO be Sinclairs wife. One day
she and | were driving together about
the estates, and she turned 10 me and
smiled and said:
How strange it is, ma petite, that
you and |, two penniless creatures that
we were few years ago, will one day
possess both these splendid estates for
our very own. 1t is like fairy story
All! say what they will-the moralists
and preachers a handsome face and
a little tact are the most priceless gifts
a woman can possess. / am so thank
ful, dear, that you are handsome.
was seventeen when she said that,
and went home and looked at myself
carefully in the mirror. Yes, 1 was
handsome; my eyes were large and
black, my complexion rich and clear,
my features perfectly regular.
turned away smiling and satisfied.
Sinclair came home soon afterward
to remain; at least, he had finished his
college course, graduating with honors.
He was very handsome, and my
heart throbbed with pride and Joy as l
looked upon him.
Surely every good gift in life was
mine.
Sinclair remained at home a year.
We were of course thrown constantly
together, and he was the same frank
comrade as Of old, yet he spoke no
word of love. | grew FESTIVE and inn
patient for matters to be settled.
was mt the age when every girl longs
for lover | wanted to be loved-I
wanted TO be betrothcd. had thought
it all out many times; how after the
betrothal my mother would give large
ball, and how rcsplendentI would shine
in beautiful jewels and rich robes. For
always in my thoughts of love worldly
considerations were mingled.
| should never have loved Sinclair
Monroe if he had been poor and of low
birth. My pride was Unborn, and con-
slant cultivation rendered il one of the
strongest elements of my nature.
After year spent at home, Sinclair
went abroad. He went without speak
ing his love, or asking any promise of
me.
l was bitterly disappointed, and so
was my mother.
But let him SOW his wild oats" she
said; "he will come home all the more
inclined to settle down"
He was gone two years. During
those years l went much into society
and became quite belle, and received
one offer of marriage. / declined it
proudly. The man was in no way the
equal of Sinclair; and besides felt my
self to belong to Sinclair. / as much
as minated this to my sutton, when he
would have persisted in his attentions.
When Sinclair returned he seemed
older and more serious in manner, and
he went at work at once to lay out the
grounds on his estate and beautify
them My heart swelled full of hope.
Were my early dreams TO be realizedp
Then suddenly my mother died.
Plunged into deep mourning, ] did
not think it strange that no words of
love should pass his lips during the
next half year At the end of that time
he again absented himself for several
months.
When he returned he called me aside
one day, saying he had something to
tell me.
Perhaps L ought not to say it within
year after your great loss, D." he began,
land yet / believe what | have to say
will result in greater happiness to us
all. | have long had it in my mind"
L felt my heart trembling in my
breast like frightened bird At last,
at last! Was he about to say the words
| had waited so long to hear? Then
he continued: II am going to be mar
ried next month, Agnes. l met my
bride while / was travelling abroad
She is an American. She was also
travelling with her parents She is
lovely girl, and she will brighten up the
old house for us all. / thought of
building before l married, but father
wants me TO remain here, at least for a
year or two. And would like to have
my bride plan her own home when |
do build. l hope you will love her.
Agnes. am sure you can not help it."
How / ever managed to control my
awful modification, my surprise and
my anger, / do not know 1t was so
sudden, so unexpected, like a blow in
the dark. / brought all my pride to
bear upon my emotions, and I con-
graduated him with seeming warmth,
but ] felt as if new being took pos
session of my body from that hour.
had always been selfish girl, inclined
to be mercenary and exacting. Now
within my breast awoke a demon of
Jealousy and spite that made my life
wretched. 1t seemed to me that Phad
opened the door TO a flock Of evil spir-
It's in my heart when love and hope
flew out
About two months later Sinclair
brought home his bride / felt a ma
licious qualification as ] looked az her
and saw that she was not as handsome
as l. Yet she was what people gen
orally call "sweet looking or Glove
ly," and ] have noticed that those
women really win more hearts in this
world than beauties do.
She was very afFectionatc by nature
and cuddled up TO me like a winsome
child at first; but / think she felt the
hatred in my heart, hard as ! tried 10
mask IT,, for after "a time she ceased 90
make her afiectiOnate Overtures 20 me,
and became more quiet and reserved.
Colonel Monroe was completely car
RED away with her sweet. kittenish
manners and could see that she was
winding herself more closely about his
heart IL praised her constantly when
he and were alone, and 7 used to sit
more and more bv myself 10 was such
torture 90 hear hf- r,r4f4rs A ID. g.. CO..