Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-07-14
Won by a Tear.

''Oh. mammal | should sS like TO go
to the opera with You and my sisterS.''
said little Hester Howard, as she entered
her step-mOther'S dreSsing-room with
her arms full Of laceS and bright rib
bons.
Mrs. Howard stood before the glass.
arranging a wreath of pink flowers upon
her hair, that was still jet black and
abundant, in spite of her fifty years.
She was in full evening dress, and her
two young daughters, Ethel and Julia,
in white muslin and blue opera cloaks,
were attitudinizing. in turn. before the
cheval glass in the cornev.
They were good-looklng girls OF Is
and 20, with high colors and brunette
complexions, and eyes and hair like
their mothers.
Hester was but sixteen, 4 little shy,
sensitive creature with pretty blue eyes
and sweet pea complexion, and wavy,
floSSy hair exactly the color of corn silk,
when it has ripened in the sun.
Hester was as gentle as she looked.
And being greatly kept down by her
stepmother since her fathers death, she
seldom ventured so far as she had done
now. But music was her passion and
her delight. And ''Lurline" was the
opera that night-''Lurline" with its
pretty scenes, half real, half fancy, and
its sweet haunting airs.
II do so wish to go!'' sighed the poor
little girl, as her stepSisters stared and
Uttered, and her stepmother bent her
arched, black brows into 4 very decided
frown.
"Absurd nonsense!r said Mrs. How
ard. dismiSsing the subject with wave
of her white-gloved hand. "You are
nothing but child, as have very often
told YOU, Hester, and you will remain at
home unseen. until the proper time ar
riyes for YOU TO 90 into society"
"And that won't be till we are we'll
married out of the way" said Julia,
laughing affectedly. $50 make us as
beautiful as YOU can this evening, Hes
ter. | hear that Richard huntington
has Just returned from Europe, and as
am desperately in love with his estate
(which he calls, very oddly, My Rest, }
intend to set my cap for him, at once.
Then, if Ethel manages TO secure Colo
mel Latham and his immense fortune
the coast will be clear for you, little one.
How / should like to see Hester's own
deliberate choice, mammal
Mrs. Howard merely shrugged her
shoulders, by way of reply. Then, after
holding a general review of the girls and
their toilets for five minutes, she led the
way down to the door, where a hired
carriage awaited them, the driver of
which had strict orders to wear gold
band around his hat, and to appear as
much like liveried servant as he could
on these opera nights,
Left alone among the disorder OF the
dressinr-room, which she was expected
to set right, Hester had 4 brief cry over
her unhappy position and her disap-
pointed hopes.
"If only they would love mel" she
sighed. ''But no one has ever loved me
since poor papa died-and no one ever
will again.'
..Rat-tat-tat, went the knoeker on
the hall door, where 4 carriage seemed
to be drawing up.
The only servant had holiday that
dav. and she would not return before
the next morning. Hester, in her
shabby wrapper, and with the marks OF
tears ON her face, was forced to answer
tbe door. A carriage was drawn up at
the curbs.one, and young gentleman
in evening dress stood on the steps with
a lovely flower in his coat.
s.What pretty little servant maid,
he thought, gazing with the deepest in
terest at Hester's doleful countenance::
"IIere. let me out, Dick Huntington!
Don't stand there staring at my niece,
hut come here and give me your arm.
Hester lighted up all over as this inn
perative voice spoke from the carriage.
If was her fathers aunt, for whom she
WAS named. Miss Hester was wealthy
and unmarried and fond of her niece in
her own odd way; and the few pleasures
that the lovely orphan girl could remem-
her since her fathers death had come to
Ler through Miss Hester's direct or Sc
cret agency.
.sWhere are they all:" grumbled the
old lady. as she came forward on the
arm of the young man, who gazed at
voun@ Hester all the more admlringly
Since smiles had taken the place of tears
With her. ''Gone to the opera, do you
say? Always gadding! Here bring my
godson, Dick Huntington, to call. and