San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-04-02

81 lore competition; it Is so UGry erctt-
ing"
l can never forget that winter, ''the
winter of my discomfort" and of my
great happiness!
We young people had been going from
house to house in parties, and at last my
time came around to entertain. Invited
to Carter Hall, my home in Clarke coun-
ty, Va, my cousins, Susan Randolph and
Jane Page, Cornelia CabeH "a friend
from Winchester) and Miss Ogden, of
New York, who was guest of James.
The gentlemen were Will Lewis, Frank
Washington. Tom McCormick-all three
neighborhood beaux-and Mr.. Ernest
McAllister, who had just arrived from
New York, and was staying with his old
college friend, Will Lewis.
Mr.. McAllister had visited Clarke the
summer before, and having heard of the
delightful winter we had was not slow
in accepting an invitation to come and
see for himself if it were true. Being
very wealthy he could do as he pleased,
but his ideas of enjoyment were rather
peculiar.
For five or six years he had Travelled,
and on his return to New York he de-
clined all invitations, shutting himself
up in an old country house about three
miles from the city, where he collected
rare old books, china and pictures On
his occasional visits to New York he was
pointed out as most desirable ''parti,"
rich, of an old family, and genius in
his way.
To my great surprise-for have al
ways had a very humble opinion of my
self-in the summer he had seemed to
enjoy my society more than that of the
other girls. Consequently, was much
leased by them. Indeed, i'll natured
speeches were made, such as:
"Annie, do pray, trv not to show him
how pleased you are with his atten-
TONS"
Another said, "He is engaged to
cousin who is abroad" and again was
told it was only pour passer lie temps"
he had been a desperate fiirt.
| knew they were spiteful, enyious
speeches+but they left their sting, and
presence, and so stiff in my manner he
remarked upon it.
My dearest friend" took me aside one
day and said, For your good, dear An
ME, let me say, beware of his fascina-
tions," and yet that very friend received
his attentions most eagerly. In spite of
my GOODNESS he sought me on every oc-
casion, and | caught myself listening for
his step, and Frightening at his coming
At the last summer gathering he told
me he would look forward with so much
pleasure to the winter, and to seeing me
again. On that last sentence | had pom
dered many day. 1t might mean so
much-or nothing at all.
The winter came at last. And from
house to house we had gone without Mr..
McAllister. 1t had been one round of
gayety, and yet he did not come until
the very last-after we had almost given
him up-and to come to my house Gre
ated quite q sensation. Then Miss Og- |
den came. A regal looking brunette |
and immensely wealthy. Jane asked |
me to invite her, saying she could not |
come without her. She told US she was |
engaged to her cousin, Mr.. Livingstone,
of New York, and the marriage would |
take place in the early spring. $50, |
girls" she added, 'she cannot spoil our
fun, or mar any plans on hand, the last |
remark being addressed to me.
My company arrived February eighth
and were to remain until after the four
teenth, when promised to give ball |
How well remember my sensations on
first beholding Miss Ogden in full even
ing dress. (We had agreed always to
appear zen grande toilette" for dinner.)
She wore crimson velvet, trimmed with
ermine. Her beauty fairly dazzled me-
| watched her as she talked to Mr.. Nc
Allister. When she raised her glorious
eyes to his hy heart sank within me
and faint, sick feeling overcame me.
How could {. man resist such beauty!
She turned from all others to talk to
him, compelling him to remain by her
side. l glanced down at my modest
looking pink merino gown that hereto
fore / had thought so handsome and
becoming. Now it seemed positively
dowdy.
At night we had dance, and to hide
my uneasiness appeared the merriest
Of the merry. Poor Frank Washington,
who had been my abject slave from our
Dabyhood, and who l ordered about at
my pleasure, was much encouraged that
evening. Miss Ogden was not his style.
Miss Annie" said he, ''she reminds
me- of a gorgeous tropical flower in which