San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-07-17
PLAIN MISS BARSTOW.

| many remarks made on my personal ap-
| pearance. l am a perfect foil to Emily,
| and people notice my ugliness because
| my sister is such a beauty. / see her
sought after and admired, while p
Lucille Barstow stopped speaking, and,
| dropping her head in her hands, burst
into tears. She did not heed the length
and luxuriance of the chestnut hair
which enveloped her like a veil. In her
opinion Emily S hair was far lovelier than
her own. And she was unconscious of
the symmetry of her small hands and
feet. To their beauty she attached no
Importance, and thought only of the
plain face on which so many Of her ac-
quaintances remarked.
She had passed the evening at a ball,
and while dancing a quadrille had heard
gentleman in the next set say:
isn't the lady in blue and white the
one we heard sing so divinely at Mrs.
Springer's?'
The reply of his partner came distinct
ly to Lucille's ears:
(Which young lady? 1t was the plain
Miss Barstow we heard sing. Yes, she
is dressed in blue and white, see. She
is the same"
How well Lucille remembered every
word! She could sing. No one ever de-
MED the sweetness and strength of her
voice, and she had sung her best at Mrs.
Springer's. No wonder Godfrey Wayne
had remembered it. Few could forget
the beauty of that clear voice, but Luz
ellie would have willingly bartered her
voice for a lovely face.
AT last the weary girl turned off the
gas, and went to bed; but it was long
before she could find rest in sleep.
Breakfast was nearly over when Luz
ellie appeared in the dining room the
next morning. Her grandmother and
sister were just rising from the table.
Mercy, sisr' cried Emily, chow
swollen your eyes are, and you look like
ghost! 1t doesn't improve your ap-
pearance very much to look so woe be-
gone"
Il am not always studying my ap-
pearance," answered Lucille, taking a
seat at the table.
Lucille, Godfrey Wayne spoke to me
last night of the excellence of your sing
ing at Mrs. Springer's," said Mrs. Bar
stow.
Yes. heard him speak of it," said
Lucille, with bitter smile, for she re-
membered that she had also heard the
answer of his partner in the quadrille.
but don't let his praise cause you to
have hopes of fascinating him." laughed
Emily, for l have entered the lisEs, and
naturally you will have no chance"
Naturally, of course" said Lucille.
Emily, don't fret Lucille this morn
ing. She looks half SICK" said Mrs. Bar
stow, with fond look at the beauty,
whom she idolized.
II am wholly sick" said Lucille, push
ing away her coffee cup. Il wish there
was some place on this earth where l
could go with the certainty of not hear
ing the changes runy on my ugliness."
Il am afraid there is no such blissful
spot" said Emily But | must be off
to dress, for Geofrey Wayne is to call
this noon. This is November. l will
wager pair Of gloves to you, Lucille,
that have a chance of becoming Mrs
Wayne before January"
Il don't doubt it, so l won't run the
risk of losing the gloves" said Lucille,
leaving the room.
Godfrey Wayne came at the time ap-
pointed, and Emily, beautifully dressed.
fitted down into the parlor, and held out
one white dimpled hand in welcome TO
this tall, golden haired fellow who was
so sought after in society
Where is your sister? l hoped to
have the pleasure Of hearing her sing"
| MIR. Wayne said when ne at last arose to
go.
''She has II headache. Indeed, she is a
perfect martyr to all the petty ills to
| which flesh is heir, replied Emily. She
cares very little for society. and seldom
receives morning calls, she added.
| That nighG LuciIlccame into her grand
mothers room, AMI knelt beside the low
chair in which the old lady sat she did
not speak, and her face looked worn and
| sad.
What is the matter, Lulie? Has any
thing gone wrongy' asked Mrs. Barstow,
kissing the upturned brow of her grand
daughter.
Everything is wrong, grandma. am
leading vain, useless life, and l am
tired of it. What does it all amount to
this continual round of balls and par
ties? 1t brings no peace, no joy to me,
and am sure l bring no joy to any one
else. l hear myself spoken of every
where as the plain Miss Barstow' 1t is
thus that am distinguished from Emily
| Let me go somewhere else. dear grand
ma. Let me try to be happy in my own
| uav"