Evening journal., 1891-03-31
SAD, BUT TRUE.

the 4uleteSU OF country DOnlcs, DuI lb ulu
not prevent one from meeting there what
felt wholly justified in calling my fate"
Robert Carroll was young artist, who
had come up one summer for the purpose of
filling his portfolio with sketches under
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 ylove-at-flrst-sightso 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 i'm
possible to sell But he whispered to me
confidential things before long about
comfortably Off grandfather of 81 and a
neglected yet heir presumptive grandson.
Mother (my only living parenD loved me
I'm such a weak, fondly way that she would
have merely lifted her eyebrows in meek
protestation, doubtless, il had revealed n
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 a settled matter in our small house
hold.
But in the middle OF the summer some
thing very unexpected happened.
| received an invitation frommy aunt,
Mrs. Grosvenor Abercrombie, to come and
| visit her at Newport.
Mrs Grosvenor Ahercrombiel Poor
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
| / accepted the invitation in fear and
| trembling. l made no attempt at anything
| like a strain in the matter of costume
my few simple dresses | well knew would
stand me in better stead than all the coun
try made flnery which | might have had
hastily Stitched mp" At least was sure
Of one thing about myself; had not a sug
gestion Of vulgarity in appearance or man
ners that could shock these high bred re
lations.
| / think Mrs Abercrombie recognize,
this fact five minutes after meeting me
She was a superb looking woman, will
great gray puffs at either temple, deli
cate, peachy complexion, strangely un
touched by time, and manners that wer
1 uuttulN WAlh
Aunt Cornelia had one daughter, Helen
Very much OF her mothers stately grac
belonged TO Helen Abercombie's style. He
small head, where thick masses OF blul
black hair lay coiled and twined in CLOS
siest abundance, was exQuisitely set upol
her swan like, sloping shoulders. Her face
thoroughly brunette in type, had a dream.
| sweetness of expression that struck you a
a glance as most winningiy lovely Sh
was great belle, as / soon perceived, il
Newport society.
, Aunt Cornelias house and its appoint
ments were regal to my rustic eyes. TIL
luxurious ease in which she lived seeme
almost marvellous Servants bowling a
every turn; no task to be done by you
) own hands except just what they wishe
to do; splendor, wealth, grandeur and r,
! finement everywhere--ah, mel what wor
] der that my head was turned with it ALI
! ! rapidly accommodated myself TO thi
new life. Helen was charming to m
I without any irritating touches of condo
Z scension, and Aunt Cornelia was full {
the most genial hosthood.
was made in the most delicate way {
= understand Immediately upon my arrivi
that my few simple dresses would
wholly unsuitable for the gayeties of New
|
dinners, kettledrums, and Heaven onl
! knows what else in costumes that AuI
: Cornelia's charming method of bestow,
made it no embarrassment to accept
The change from Meadowtown to New
I port from rural inducements to pc
petual round OF merrymaking, was
\ change intensely radical, as All will admi
! / After three weeks Of this utterly new lif
1 when the time came for me TO go hom
: / remember having a drearily depresse
4 feeling that not even the thought OF Sc
4 ing Robert once more could do anythin
1 except mildly alleviate.
l But, ahl until I was really back
Meadowtown once more never knew no
radical my mental change had been Figi
against il as I would, discomfort and di
q satisfaction besieged me at every tur
Our modest household customs, arrang
= ments and conveniences struck me as ridi
:, ulous, meager, contemplate, after Il
giories Of Aunt Abercrombies Newpo
mansion, and the wealth stamped su
roundings Of her fine friends.
h Poor mOtherl she bore with me very p
4 tiently, as it was her sweet nature alwal
= to bear with everybody's crotchets an
shortcomings. Robert bore with me p
4 tiently, too, at first, for / verify belle
4 that his love was then strong enough
q make nearly my worst faults take be
rowed ideal light Of virtue.
/. But here is a specimen OF how / Won
sometimes treat him during the moni
that followed my return:
y You have come for me TO take a wal
y Roberts"
" "Yes, Adan-with the pleasantest
- looks in his large, soft brown eyes.
II "Graciousw (rather pettishly). 1T
y altogether too early in the afternoon III
y blazing sun viii ruin my complexio
y, Cousin Helen and all the ladies at Ne
Y port would never think Of walking out
~ this hour"
i Il Thought it rather cool, Ada. But ju
as you choose We can sit here and Ia
for while on the piazza, il you prefer"
Positively, Robert, Pm almost asham,
to sit with you while you have on that he
rid, careless looking arrangement whi
x you dignity by the name of "A coat No
ol fthe gentlemen at Newport
e We'll" Robert here interrupted, wi
9 Just the least tinge Of pronounced pique
G tone and manner, "what about the gent
re man at Newportfn
an "Oh, pshawi don't show jealousy. Il
a. such dreadfuily bad style, you know"
ne rs iti lwfsn't aware Of being jealot
u Ada / hope there is no reason for al
Die such feeling
All meant, Robert was that the Ne