The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-01-05

To the sick, the wretched, the poor and sad,
Go make your off'rings free,
His gracious promises then shall make you glad,
"Ye've done it unto me"
LUov S. RUGGLEs.
THE PROBLEM OF MODERN SOCIETY.
1t was cruel moment when Grace
Courtney, after her change of fortune,
first met her former rival, the rich and
naughty Miss Marlton. They had been
leading bellies, two years before, in socie
ty. and rumOrs had said we're competi-
tors for the hand of young Stuyvesant
Mortimer, the sole heir of the great
banker Of that name. But Graces faith
er had failed, and then died, leaving his
family destitute. She was glad in this
emergency, to accept situation as
nursery gOverness in the pretty village
of Seaverge, on the shore of Long Island
Sound. To go out. in this half menial
condition in New York, where so many
knew her, she felt to be impossible; but
here in this quiet and secluded place, abe
was not likely TO meet former aCquaint-
ances, she thought. In time | shall for
get, she said to herself, as | shall be for.
gotten.
But the very summer after she went
to Sewerage, an enterprsng inn keeper
put up a rp4ciOus hotel, directly by the
water and laid out around it some so
acres OF ornamental ground. Immedi-
ately Seaverge became not only fash
ionable resort but an aristocratic one as
well. for the two are not always the
same. And here one morning, when out
on an errand, Grace came suddenly on
her old rival, who was driving along one
of the country roads in phaeton. be
hind pair of handsome ponies and
with footman in livery and cockade,
in the rumble.
wonder il she will speak to me
thought Grace, her first impulse being
to turn away. But she had a brave soul
and so. after moments hesitation she
looked full at Miss Marlton.
The latter saw Grace and evidently
recognized her, for her face flushed, even
through its abundant coat of powder
but she did not bow; on the contrary
she stared as if the two had never meI
before.
might have known it, said Grace bit
terly: our worlds are now different. Blu
what an insolent stare! am sure il SHE
had been poor governess and | the
heress, could not have treated her so
Nor could she. This thought dwell
more and more, in Graces mind, US sh'
mused that afternoon in her favoritC
nook by the littie river back of thu
Leigh grounds, spot she always rcoort
ed to for quiet and compOsure when sh'
had been Overtasked, or worried or agi
tated.
Yes. she was more and more surprised
For Grace had one of those rare natures
that rise above wealth and false posi-
ton. She had even in her happier day
liked people for themselves, aud not fo
what they had. If in come secret corne
of her heart almost unknown to herself
she had cherished a preference for Stuy
vesant Mortimer, it was not because o
the millions he was expected to inherit
but because of what she supposed to b.
his generosity of heart and his inborl
nobility of character.
Alas. this illusion. like many anothe
had been dissipated by experience; for
from the day of her fathers death, sh
had never seen young Mortimer. tbougl
before that he was the most assiduous o
lovers.
She had known always, that Mis-
Marlton hated her. Nor was the reasol
far to seek. The latter had come out
year earlier than Grace, and young Nor
timer during that first winter had beeI
quite attentive. But, when Grace tool
society by storm twelve-mOnth after
Miss MarltUn lost her half won conquest
She is having her revenge now, though
Grace. with renewed bitterness. | don
suppose he ever thinks of me. Ah vel
why should he? am only a poor gov
ernness. and since his father Is dead, h
is one of the richest young men, the
say. in America She ended with
sigh that broke moment after, into
half contemptuous laugh.
What do you think | hear! said Mrs
Leigh to her husband the next day a
luncheon. 1t is that young Stuyvesan
Mortimer is to marry Miss MarltOn.
What ! the daughter of the great raj
road operator; replied Mr.. Leigh. We
lt's great catch even for her. Railroa
shares, you know, my dear have a quee
habit often, of becoming next door
worthless; but the Mortimer fortune
made in railroads, been transferred t
government bonds and other first clas
securities, and is safe as gold itself.
They say, retorted his wife, that thl
young Mortimer is one Of the handsom
est of men and a great swell.
All! replied the husband. Well, d
J not know him even in business. In fac
socially, the Mortimers have alway
moved in a higher sphere than tn
Leighs. He's been in Europe you know
for year and more, hand in glove, III
, told, with the best people there.
|. Grace heard this conversation with
beating heart, for she always lunche
with Mr.. and Mrs. Leigh their lunch i
fact, was her dinner. She had not hear
before of her old lovers absence in Eu
4 rope and only knew of his fathers deaf
from paragraph in the newspaper
Naturally, she could not help being NOV
G ed by this news. But her lip curled wit
!, contempt as she recalled the fact ths
4 he had deserted heI the moment she be
/. came poor.
> She slept but little that night. natura
= ly The children were especially tryIn
e all day, for the prolonged heat was tel
e ing on their tempers. So, after lessor
were over, Grace started for a walk 70
lowing the little brook on its shady sid
!. as il wound to the sea. 1t was pretl
~ streamlet; widening at places, TO qui
" a small river, and in places full OF watt
s. lilies. Turning a corner. Grace can
suddenly on Miss. Msrlton. sitting in
= boat pretending to fish, but looking I
every moment, as if she expected son
lone.
A pet dog WAS in the front of the boa
Hearing Grace's step, the pamper'
plaything sprang up and began TO bal
furously at her.
At the same instant, Miss Marlton d
tected our heroine, and, opening h
large lazy eyes, stared again, this tin
even more superciliously than the dI
before. Grace hurried on as fast as 81
could, her cheeks hot with mortificatit
and anger. But her haste was not su
cient TO carry her out of sight and hea
ing before she saw a manly form-whit
she knew only too well-an heard
voice that made every pulse Of her be-
thrill. 1t was Stuyvesant Mortimer, VI
= had suddenly appeared from a grove
the other side of the stream, and
whom Miss Marlton called to come al
row her home, turning her boat as 8
spoke towards him.
How Grace got back to the house th
~, afternoon. she never knew. She mt
u have almost flown. for she was out
breath when she arrived. She was 81
. when night ENABLED her TO escape FRI
the children again. She spent 10
hours fighting down her misery. Y,
thtre WINS nd doubt she said TO herBe