Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-11-30
Miscellaneous.
MRS. vETNoR's PRIDE.

/ '"S 6"N"i o"""y 6iou' "ucto uuuu-
some young man paced to and fro impa-
tiently. moved slender, white-draped
figure with eager, radiant face.
The deep blue eyes we're aligbt, and
a little flush dawned on the fair, soft
cheeks.
She FASTENED forward with both small
hands outheld.
ooh, Ice, am late, but couldn't
help it," she said, almost breathlessly
''Mrs, Marks kept me so long over that
horrid, musty 'Hudibras, but escaped
at last -"
"And here you are" finished her
lover, taking her hands and drawing her
closer. "How radiant you look, Rcne F"
but you arc just the reverse--posi-
lively gloomy" abe said lightly, then
looked more seriously into his face that
wore look seldom seen there. What
is it Lee? Your lips are stern, and
there are two wrinkles between your
eyes,"
ooh, your very tone refutes that state
ment--something has gone wrong. Tell
me-"
"Well, | had few words with moth
er before | came out that's ALL" he
said, trife abruptly.
Rene Arnold looked thoughtfuIly at
him an instant then laid one hand on
bis shoulder.
Lee" she said, all the lovity gone
from her tones, you were speaking Of
me. Oh, why must be source of
discord between you--you two who were
all in all to each other, who never en-
gagged in dispute till--till we met. A
few words, you say--they were bitter
words. then, Lee, for you never look
like that unless deply moved Why
does she hate me so r
"She does not hate you, Rene, but let
US speak of other things-lct US be hap
py while we can"
lie smiled, but there was that in bis
smile that troubled her.
81 cannot be happy knowing your
mother thinks of me in such harshness,"
she said 81 wish | could win her
love-"
"You would first have to subdue her
| PRIDE" thought Lee Vetnor, hut no only
placed one arm around tho girls plastic
waist and kissed tho dropping lips.
"You have one, my love--be con-
tent" he said softly. Nothing can
over part us, little sweetheart"
And Rene, smiling. never dreamed
how soon those words would come to her
like hooking echo-how soon her
youthful heart would bear the burden of
a greater grief than she had ever known
The moments few by unheeded until
five chimes 0oated out upon the summer
air; then Rene left her lover, and as she
made her way back to the villa of Mrs.
Marks. her old troubled thoughts fell
upon her.
II have brought all this unpleasant.
ness into the Vetnor family" she
thought "How would love Lees
mother if she would but permit me but
her cold glances and brief words reveal
but too plainly her feelings. She dislikes
me because Lee has sought to win me.
and am but poor girl, companion
to her friend, while he is the partrician
Mrs. Vetnor's son. 1 wish he was a
poor man, do indeed"
So musiDg she found herself in the
hallway Of the villa, with Mrs. Marks
before her.
miss Arnold" said the low, trained
voice, elf you will step into the parlor
you will find Mrs Vetnor awaiting you"
Mrs. Vetnor The warm blood rushed
to Renc's checks and her heart began to
throb strangely. Lees mother to see
her! Alb, this could portend nothing
pleasant, aud, with troubled faintncss
upon her, Rene went to meet tho baugh-
~ lady, who measured her with criti
cal eye ere she spoke
How uncompromising, cold and dig
nified she looked, how grim was the cx :
preston that rested upon the aristocra tic
features, how chilling the even tones.
"Sliss Arnold, have come to see
you about strange matter my mission
is not an agreeable one. but duty is often
distasteful."
Rene bowed her golden head and
claspcd her hands nervously
~ know that my son Lee has become
infatuated with you, and will not listen
to reason, therefore | must make my
appeal to you. feared lest in mo
ment of madness he would actually ask
you to marry him, and Of course could
guess your answer"
Her tone was even more singing than
her words, and poor Rene grew deathly
pale, then she looked steadily at her.
MADAM, | have given my promise
to your son. do not think there was
madness on his part, or presumption on
mine. We love each other My mo-
tives are not those you would impute Il
me-"
"You have promised !" exclaimed Mrs
Vetnor. Then that promise must b'
recalled. No sou of mine can wed ;
poor dependent, daughter of the PEG
pie, girl who has naught but fai
! face TO recommend her. What is mer
beauty beside the rank and prestige OF th
Vetnors Not presumptuous why
Miss Arnold, it was the height of pre-
sumption on your part TO think 20