The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-07
SAD, BUT TRUE.


the most economical circumstances as re-
| garded his board per week; and Robert
and / in the early part of the summer had
met in a mutually e-at-first-sight sort Of
way, which soon resulted in our engage
ment.
Roberts immediate prospects as con-
cerned personal support were several water
colors of by no means remarkable value
and an oil painting which he found it inn
possible to sell. But he whispered to me
confidential things before long about a
comfortably off grandfather of 50 and
neglected yet heir presumptive grandson.
Mother (my only living parent loved me
in such a weak, fondly way that she would
have merely lifted her eyebrows in meek
protestation, doubtless, if had revealed a
passionate attachment for our man of all
work or brazenly eloped with the village
grocer. And so the fact of my formal en-
gagement to Robert Carroll became very
soon settled matter in our small house
hold
But in the middle of the summer some
thing very unexpected happened.
l received an invitation from my aunt,
Mrs. Grosvenor Abercrombie, to come and
visit her at Newport.
mother had trained me up from infancy to
feel a sort of awe at the mention of that
name. Never were two sisters so socially
apart from one another as Augusta Lester,
living humbly and plainly in an obscure
little country town, and Cornelia Aber-
crombie, whose lucky match with mill
ionaire in years past had given her position
as one of society's reigning queens.
T oil ha inv ita+in in nd
trembling. made no attempt at anything
like strain in the matter of costume;
my few simple dresses / well knew would
stand me in better stead than all the coun-
try made finery which l might have had
hastily stitched up" At least was sure
of one thing about myself: had not sug-
gestion of vulgarity in appearance or man
ners that could shock these high bred re-
lations.
1 think Mrs. Abercrombie recognized
this fact five minutes after meeting me.
She was a superb looking woman, with
great gray puffs at either temple, deli
cate, peachy complexion, strangely I'M
touched by time, and manners that were
queenly with quiet dignity.
Aunt Cornelia had one daughter, Helen.
Very much of her mothers stately grace
small head, where thick masses of blue
black hair lay coiled and twined in CLOS
siest abundance, was eXquisitely set upon
her swan like, sloping shoulders. Her face,
thoroughly brunette in type, had dreamy
sweetness of expression that struck you at
glance as most winningly lovely She
was great belle, as l soon perceived, in
Newport society.
Aunt Cornelia's house and its appoint
ments were regal to my rustic eyes. The
luxurious ease in which she lived seemed
almost marvellous. Servants bowling at
every turn; no task to be done by your
own hands except just what they wished
TO do; splendOr, wealth, grandeur and re-
fnement everywh ere-ah, me! what Won
der that my head was turned with it ALL
/ rapidly accommodated myself TO this
new life. Helen was charming to me
without any irritating touches of conde-
scension, and Aunt Cornelia was full of
the most genial hosthood.
! was made in the most delicate way to
understand Immediately upon my arrival
that my few simple dresses would be
wholly unsuitable for the gayeties of New
port, and very soon L was attending balls,
dinners, kettledrums, and Heaven only
knows what else, in costumes that Aunt
Cornelia's charming method Of bestowal
made it no embarrassment to accept.
The change from Meadowtown to New
port, from rural Inducements to a per
petual round of merrymaking, was a
change intensely radical, as all will admit.
After three weeks of this utterly new life,
when the time came for me to go home,
l remember having a drearily depressed
feeling that not even the thought of see
ing Robert once more could do anything
except mildly alleviate.
But, ali until l was really back in
Meadowtown once more l never knew how
radical my mental change had been. Fight
against it as l would, discomfort and dis
satisfaction besieged me at every turn.
Our modest household customs arrange
ments and conveniences struck me as ride
ulous, meager, contemplate, after the
glories of Aunt Abercrombie's Newport
mansion, and the wealth stamped sur
roundings of her fine friends.
Poor mother! she bore with me very pa
tiently, as it was her sweet nature always
to bear with everybody's crotchets and
shortcomings. Robert bore with me pa
tiently, too, at first, for l verify believe
that his love was then strong enough 10
make nearly my worst faults take Dor
rowed ideal light of virtue
But here is specimen of how / would
sometimes treat him during the month
that followed my return:
You have come for me to take a walk,
Robert?"
Yes, Ada'-with the pleasantest Of
looks in his large, soft brown eyes.
Gracious" (rather pettishly). 1T is
Together too early IN the afternoon. This
blazing sun will ruin my complexion.
Cousin Helen and all the ladies at New
port would never think of walking out at
this hour"
Il thought it rather cool, Ada. But just
as you choose. We can sit here and talk
for while on the piazza, if you prefer"
Positively, Robert, I'm almost ashamed
to sit with you while you have on that hOr-
rid careless looking arrangement which
you dignity by the name of a coat None
If the gentlemen at Newport
Well" Robert here interrupted, with
just the least tinSe of pronounced pique in
tone and manner, what abo1t the gentle
man at Newport"
'Oh, pshaw, don't show JEALOUSY. 1t is
such dreadfully bad style, you know"
is it, | wasn't aware of being jealous,
Ada / hope there is no reason for any
such feeling"
All | meant. Robert, was that the New
rorJ genrIemen- CwTth a rsinI, uuUJerIn-,
retrospective sort Of sigh at this point
ARE so very neat in their costumes"
This amiable little confab Is only one Of
the many which took place between Rob
ert and myself during the month that sue
oeeded my eventful visit. Did finally see
signs of impotence in his manner,
touches of manly intolerance at my treat