Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1889-08-02

4W UTe' %T dear, eor Of SHo@, ave-
and experience.
She was "a
blooming, silver-haired old lady, dressed
in black satin, with snowy tulle chemi-
sette, a cap like a white rose, and little.
blue-veined hands; ana as she stood
leaning against one of the wis TARA
wlcarhed columns of the piazza, she
could see through the cool perspective
of The parlors into little library beyond
where young girls figure knelt on the
noor, wealth of iet-black hair stream
ing back over her shoulders and her
face hidden in the cushions OF the sofa.
'"She is seventeen. grandmamma, "
said her son, stout, bald-headed mem
bcr of society; "and how much expert
ence do you suppose one requires to
teach two little rebels of six and eight
years old their catechism and multiplica-
ton table? I dare say she'll do Ve!y
we'll"
"But, at all events" said Mrs Villars
with true-hearted woman's quick sym.
pathy, .'she's miserable about somc-
.ing-homesick, perhaps, poor child --
and must go right away and comfort
4ar."
And the first thing Hildegarge Russell
knew old Mrs. Yillars velvet-soft hand
was on her forehead
Child, child !" oooed the old lady,
don't lie sobbing here, but get up and
let me brush out this long, beautiful hair
of yours. "Are you really seventeen
a. that pale, statue-like face was turned
toward her. "You don't look as old as
that"
ii was seventeen last month" said
Hildegarde, mournfuily, land | am so,
so wretchedw
Pooh pooh p said Grandmamma Viii
lars, cheerily, las IL a girl of your age
had any business to be wretched Well
chirk you up here, or we'll know the rea-
son why. Now, tell me, true and honest,
what you we're crying about?"
But Hildegarde, although she smiled
family up through chiaro of tears n:o
Ms Nillars face, and covered her pref ty
Old hands with penitential kisses, would
confess no single word. She went about
her duties as governess that same after.
noon, however.
Now that have had my cry over, |
Zee! better" said she, softly.
she told Mrs. Yillars that she was IN
orphan-that her father had been rict
Southern planter, who had never
dreamed that his sole child and heiress
n would be obliged to avail herself of the
accomplishments in which he had de-
lighted, to earn her bread Nor would il
have been so she simply added, If Uncle
Geotlrey had not invested her money il
a bubble concern. fondly hoping fol
uuadrupled returns, and then bettered
matters by blowing his own brains out
But when Estelle, Mrs. Villars' young
est daughter, came home from a visit to
New York, Hildegarde opened her shy
heart farther still to the rosy, swee'
voiced, sympathetic girl
81 thought he loved me for mysel
ealone," Hildegarde whispered to her new
friend, ''but when the news got abroaC
OF Uncle Godfrey suicide, and my utter
beggary-oh, Estelle. he went away with
out Il word OF note He left my heart
to break by inches"
Then he was q vlllianw said Estelle
villars, nodding her pretty little head,
"But loved him, Estelle."
"Do you love him still?'
Hildegaude's eyes fell before the cleal
azure ray OF EEtelle's glance.
"No-yes-1 hardly know whether
do or not. Sometimes / think / hate
him -
"Tear him from the very outer vest
bule OF your heart, Hildegarde," coun
seed Estelle, taking both the cold hand.
in her own. HE is not worthy OF
dream-a thought-a solitary fancy. Be
lievc me, dearest you have had fortun
ate escape from being hia wife p
"Ah, Estelle, it is plain to sec that
YOU never had your heart wrecked ~
"No, and never mean to. Dear Hi
degarde, cheer up-all men are not lik,
this southern lover of yours. You are
child yet, with a whole lifetime of hap
piness before you"
And in the magic of Estelle Villars
presence Hildegarde Russell grew les
grave and sad-her dark eyes shone
now and then, with light other thar
that of sorrow, and her bird-sweet voice
sounded occasionally in a merry laugh
"She is very pretty" said the grand
mama to Estelle al wonder now i
Charley Hartell were to come here en-
rvist, if she mightn't fancy him2
know he'd fall in love with her the frs
thing-he always was wild after tha
Lala Rookh style of beauty-and Char
ley has a fine property, and would max
an excellent husband for any girl"
''Oh, not yet, mammal cried Es
telle, holding up both hands depreciat
ingly. 1--WE must wait a whole year yet
you haven't any idea how sore her poo
little heart still is, after that crue
wound -
"Nonsenser said grandmama, enef
getically, polishing her spectacle glasses
"When was a girl"
"When you were girl, darling, inter
rupted Estelle, "you had a splendi
lover, and splendid husband, all t
yourself, and so you can't judge in tn
least of poor, blighted Hildegarde
Please let mo manage, mamma, If yo
please!"
EsteIle and Hildegarde had "cor
ference" together on the jessamine
scented back piazza that very evenin
bymoonlight.
"And he's really coming down here t
see your" said Hildebarde.
Eyes, he's really coming" said Ei
telle, demurely.
"And do you love him !"
"No, certainly notp dissented tn
young lady, with some energy. "Do yo
suppose l carry my heart on my sleev