San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-07-11
ANNETTE.

Annstte Duval was IL years old when she
came to live in the household of Cquire Wood
bury, the richest man in the little New
Hampshire village. She was an orphan, but
her parents had been members of a company
of strolling French actors in Canada, and
after their death their child remained with
the actors, her part in the performances con
sisting of horseback riding, at which she was
very skillful
In the course of their wanderings they
reached the little New England village, and
meant to perform there, but the Jealous con-
stable arrested them as Migrants and brought
them before Squire Woodbury.. He released
them, but was much disturbed by the thought
of the undesirable life the girl Annette led,
and after asking some questions and thinking
it over, he decided that it was his duty to re-
move her from such surroundings, and take
her to his home to be trained by his wife
Unfortunately, the squire and his wife
were particularly cold and severe people, and
Annette found her life almost mbearable,
accustomed as she was to liberty and in
diligence She was full Of life and gayety,
and the Woodburys approved of only the
quietest and most demure conduct Instead
of amusing herself all day as she pleased she
had now to do the tasks set her by Madam
Woodbury. She loved bright colors and de-
tested the plain grays and browns, with a
white cap and apron. in which she was
always dressed now.
Indeed, on the first day she spent in the
house came a conflict between herself and
Madam Woodbury., when the latter took
away Annettes one TREASURED rich bTOCade
sash, a birthday gift from her father, Madam
Woodbury. insisted upon putting it away,
out of sight, and Annette rebelled and finally
gave way to burst of passion and crying,
which only made Madam Woodbury. more
determined. She would have liked, if she
could, to prevent Annette from even thinking
of her past life. As it was, she forbade her
to mention it, or to dance, or sing her light
French songs, which were not wrong in
themselves but were an abOmination to Nine
Woodbury., who, in fact, disliked Annette
and everything about her, especially her
French birth; for this was many years ago,
at the time of the French and Indian war;
and Lieut.. Paul Woodbury., the only child
was away in the midst of dangers.
He was the one person in the world, it
seemed, whom the squire and his wife loved
and he was very dear to them. Annette
sometimes looked at Madam Woodbury. in
wonder, as her face softened and her voice
grew gentle when she spoke of Paul There
was no affection left in her heart for any one
else, Annette thought
Nevertheless, Madam Woodbury. always
fed and clothed Annette well, and her york
was never too hard for her, and she was a
strong, well grown girl of 10 when one De-
cember night Paul came home on visit
after an absence of more than three years
This was entirely unexpected, though he was
surprised to find it 50.
why, | sent you letter byG sutler named
Ellis; it ought to have reached you ten days
ago." he said
Il fear that means danger to you" We
squire said.
"Oh, no; not at all l paid him, and
suppose he's spent the money for drink and
lost the letter: that often happens when you
depend on such fellows. I'm safe enough.
since | got over the frontier all right. 1t
would have been bad business if they had
caught me, though. TO tell you the truth, !
have some papers in my saddle bags that
would hang me for a spy if | should fall into
their hands-but l won't" he added, with his
merry laugh. That's the reason brought
my saddle into the hall, here instead of let
ting it go out to the stable"
Paul arrived on a Wednesday, and was to
leave the following Friday night On Thurs
day afternoon Madam Woodbury., calling
Annette to help her, went to get some cloth
ing which the young man had left when he
went away, and now wished to take with
him. She unlocked large closet and took
down and opened number Of boxes and par
GELS before she found what she sought She
spent some time sorting and arranging the
clothes, and then left the room.
Annette, left to herself, began to look at
the various articles that were lying scattered
around. An open box attracted her atten-
ton. She turned over its contents, and pres
entity, with a cry of delight, she drew out her
brocade sash This was a discovery. She
had not seen it since it was first put away,
she did not know where. She pressed it to
her lips. 1t was like meeting an old friend,
and ip minute she pulled off her cap and
apron, wound the sash around her, and went
to the mirror.
Standing there, she forgot Madam Wood
bury's commands and everything but her
own satisfaction, and began to sing a gay
French song and TO dance looking at herself
all the while. Perfectly happy she danced
on until she was startled by hearing an ex-
Clamatiou, and turning, saw Madam Wood
bury aud Paul at tue du1r. The young man
was smiling az the picture made bv the girl