New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1890-07-16
SEVERED BY PRIDE.
where have you been?''

questioning voice was harsh and cold;
the answering one young and sweet.
The aunt, wrinkled and shrunken as
q withered leaf Of autumn. sat among
the soft pillows that lifted her time
wrecked form in an invalid chair.
The niece, fresh and bright, with
sunny touches on the brown of her hair,
and a somewhat daring spirit shining
from her dark eyes, stood near the
fireplace, where ruddy light flashed up
and swept across her and showed the
slim. girlish figure clad in heavy cloth
and fur.
"What were you doing at the lake."
Skating. The ice is like glass there,
aunt, and [ was practising for to-nigh
party on the lake tonight, and-''
And you are no going to it!'
Not going! Why?"
Because you are under my care and
control. and l forbid you to go!'' cried
Esther Claremont, sharply.
But [ have promised-I will be
called fort" began Vera Claremont,
piteously.
''Who is to call for you?'
The bent figure of the old woman
Strengthened suddenly, her shrunken
hand was put out and laid on the girls
arm.
You need not tell me. I know!"
cried Esther Claremont, with passion
ate anger in her sunken eyes. II am
lying here day after day helpless and
crippled, and you would fain deceive
me. but you cannot! I know who is
playing at love with YOU who is teach
ing you that love is sweet and truth
and honesty only words-idle words?
That fair young face of yours has
brought you what fairness and youth
drought me at your age; but your life
shall not be wrecked BY it as mine has
been. I willsave you though Ihave to
use bolts and bars to keep you safe!
One Caremont is enough to be blighted
by Damarel, and the lying lips of the
son shall not bind you to him heart and
soul, as the false lips of the father
bound me when T was credulous
young thing likeyou.
She paused, painting. Vera had
grown pale, but she could not remove
her eyes from those burning ones be-
low her.
'Speak!' cried her amt. 'Is not
Lee Damarel trying to win your lovep"
''Yes"-slowly and falteringly He
has said he loves me-"
And you believe him? Tell metz
81 believe him.
Esther Claremomt laughed quick
nirthless. laugh-and suddenlyloosing
her hold of Vera, pushed the slight
figure from her.
49," she cried, jeeringly, Il am too
late! You love the son of Conrad
Damaren You have given me no con-
idenee; Lowe you no consideration
you, you whom took into my house
when you were homeless child; you,
to whom have been kind for ten long
years!'
'.Never saind, Aunt Esther spoke
out Vera, clearly. g You clothed and
fed me. you allowed your roof to
shelter me, bat never in all these ten
years have YOU even said one kind words
to me-"
''Ingrate!' Kissed The woman.
'.Not that Aalnt Esther for I am
grateful to you for what I have re-
ceived.n
prove it! Pnove your gratitude,
them" cried Esther Claremont, fercely.
Give up this lover of yours; never see
bis face again!''
Poor, pale little Vera! Where did she
get the strength to stand straight aud
fearless before the woman whom she
had always feared before?
Il would rather diet'' she said, below
her breath.
die? As if it would be hard to die!a
her auat exclaimed harshIy. To live
requires courage-to live loveless,
friendless. unable to put faith in one
human being. But let ms tell you why
the name of Damarel is hateful to me.
You never heard the storyp'' s
I have heard it, but not from you. =
answered the girl, gently.
And she stood in an attitude Of deep
interest, as with the brief winter day
dying, and the shadows gliding to her
chair, Esther Claremlont told her story.