The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-06-17

curious, more than likely to result IN
something other than mere friendship.
This idea was shared by Frances, and
on this occasion her speech had been in
tended to bring out the true state OF af-
fairs.
Frances, although in the position of
wsiting-maid to Bertha was, as are many
ofthe beautiful young octoroons of the
South in like capacity, on most inti-
mate terms with her mistress, and shared
most of her condolences. She had been
educated by Mr.. Peppard, and under the
same governness who served Bertha, and
was fitted by long association, on such
friendly terms, to be no mean compan-
ion for her mistress, whom she Idol
lied.
II may not have occurred to Bertha,
but her style of beauty certainly acted as
an elegant foil to enhance the beauty OF
that young lady by reason of the sharp
| contrast between them, for beauty is
more perfect when in surroundings in
keeping with it
Be this as it may, the peculiar, Ian
| gushing eyes, surrounded by the long,
dark eyelashes peculiar to the Creole and
inhabitants Of Louisiana, and her tall and
symmetrieally proportioned form attract
ed nearly as much attention as did Der
mistress, and one conld hardly have
guessed from her color that she was an
octoroon.
She was perfectly devoted to Bertha,
and, strange as it may seem to many
Northern people, the attachment was
heartily reciprocated, for had they not
been together ali their lives? Had not
Frances, on more than one occasion prov
ed her love by little self-sacrifices, and
would she not die for her if there were
occasion for it
Do you love Harold, Bertha, or was l
right about the boarding school ro-
nance ?"
Sit down, Frances, here, beside me.
/ want you to tell me what / shall do.
There was more truth in the romance as
you call it than you thought l am in
scrape, that's New York word, and
such a scrapel am going to tell you of
something that even Cupid mustn't hear,
and am half afraid the trees and flow
ers viii whisper my secret.
You know Harold and 1 are old
friends, and thought loved him dear
| ly before I went North. He was the only
person cared about, and We were al
ways together, but l didn't know What
love was I was romantic, and had little
experience in the world, and | mistook
my own heart. | was mistaken then
and oh, Heaven since then I've made
greater mistake. have ruined my
life, and perhaps the lives of others.
You have heard me speak ofthe Mu-
fords, of New York ? Well, Mrs. Muford
took an especial liking to me, for some
reason or other, and gave magnificent
psrty in my honor, so that / might meet
NJ A-shrs- panai,~@I-@. --.lessses la
whom she took particular interest. /
think she was determined that We should
be married. To make long story short
-well-he forced himself upon me in
such way, and was 50 attentive and so
kind that fell head over heels in love
with him before 1 was aware of it, and
| and"
You are engaged Poor Harold and
your papa and mamma what viii they
say %
/ Yes, promised to be his wife. and
oh, Frances if you knew how I have
suffered this last month" !"
Suffered? Why, does he not love
you Do you doubt him pr
"0h, Frances, you don't-you cannot
understand. l am a tickle witch and L
hate myself 1 despise myself" and she
drew herself up and clinehed her hands
with the intensity of her feeling, Yes,
IL love him. 1t must be that love
him, for can love no other, I'm bound
to him by promise that cannot be bro
ken he loves me; would to God that
he didn't He loves me more than life
itself, he tells me, and l know not what
he would do TO himself or to me should
be false TO him.
Frances, l learned sad truths to-day.
Harold loves me madly, poor fellow, and
he has asked me to marry him. He
pressed his claims in such a passionate
manner, when / told him it could not be
that l actually became afraid that he'd
do something rash, and had no right to
listen to him l should not have gone
out with him. have proven myself
false to Arthur and to Harold, and if
tell all / Will be despised as much as
despise myself; and yet I.could not re-
sist, / was mistaken once / am not
mistaken now love Harold Bouillon in
spite of myself-in spite of Arthur in
spite of my promise. l love him g l
did not know it was possible to love, Tut
I must keep my promise. ! must and
will keep my promise, or II shall 90
mad"
AT the thought Of her terrible position
she raised her voice and flung the speech
out with a vehemenee which left some
doubt in the mind Of Frances as to
whether she were not in reality mad.
And more, Frances, he has asked my
papa's consent, and mamma and he are
dreadfully vexed at my obstinacy and
pride, as they call it. Oh, why did !
promise? Why did l promise 2Y
Yes, why, if you did not love him ?
cannot understand you, but / am sorry
for you, dear" and she lightly kissed her
hand and tried to comfort her.