Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-10-06
CHAPTER IN.

Twill not weary the rcllCr with a full ac- count of my life for the next two years. It passed with very little of interest to the outsider. At the end of this time was a well grown girl of seventeen, and though had mixed very little in society fiattered myself was ill a measure free from that awkwarduess so painfully common to girls brought up in seclusion. I had during this time heard occasionally from the Clayton's who still resided at Caiedop, as of old lrma Barrett was not yet married, though she had been 8 reiyning belle for two sea- sons Her beauty and immense fortune brought her hosts of admirers, but her Eain nature would not yet allow her to be bound by the chains of betrothal or matrimony. Oliver Dudley was still single also, though sometimes heard with a stron g pang at my heart of his assidious attention to Irma Barrett.
 What was it to mo-" asked myself angrily, "whother he married the heiress or notf'
 Surely he was nothing to me. Had he not scorncd the little beggarly dependant, and did not have cause for hating him for such an pngrateful return for the devotion to him chcrishedi And did hate him, cried, angered at my foolish heart, that just as often gave proof of the falseness ot this assertion.
 It was the winter of my seventeenth year that Mrs. Kent received an urgent invita- tion from a friend in New York to visit her. They had been old and dear friends, and Mrs Kent, though she did not like the idea of a gay winter in the metropolis, yet felt obliged to accept her friends invitation for the sake of old times.
 Having never yet caught even 6 glimpse of the gay world, it is no wonder ] felt some delight, yet great deal of frn lott nt fhn l,k NR visitor at one of the richest and most fashionable mansions in the city. Mrs Kent, having no desire that should appear backward or illclad, provided me with an ample wardrobe and spent much time in instructing me in fashionable etiquette-to all of which listened with closest atteu. tion, determined that if possible my kind patron should have no cause to feel morti- fled at my appearance.
 'Dear child," said Mrs. Kent. ''how anx- ious you are toimprove yourself in my eyes ; though" she added, ''you are good enough and polished enough already, for you have never caused me a moments discomfort since you became my dear adopted daugh- ter"
 And felt that she had paid me the high est compliment I could have cared to hear
 We finally found ourselves domiciled at Mrs. Leiberg's splendid and hospitable mansion. She, like my adopted mother, was widow with married sons and daugh- ters. One son, however. resided with his mother and his wife and their lovely chil- dren were the pride of her heart.
 We were warmly received, and I felt at home at once with the whole family. I now for the first time enjoyed the society of young people. I felt somewhat backward at first, but this gradually worc of, and was soon able to chat with comparative ease with my new acquaintances. We attended concerts, musical soirees; we visited the art galler- ies, the museums, we rode in the park; we attended the theater and opera, in fact, in- dulged in all those expensive luxuries and