The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-05-24
CHAPTER V.
HORRIBLE. HORRIBLEil


Mrs. Brown lived but little distance
from our house, and the neighborhood
being in the country and sparsely set
tied, there was great deal of passing
and repassing between the two fami-
lies. Mrs. Brown was visitor at our
place every week, and sometimes more
frequently, and William Hanley often
came with her, SO that he and | had
opportunities to become better ac-
quainted, and the friendship we had
formed on so short an acquaintance
broadened and deepened week by
week.
My sister formed great liking for
my new friend, and, he being five years
her senior, treated her much as he
would a baby, petting her and giving
her little presents, but never showing
her the interest he did me. Mary was
quick to notice the distinction he made
between us, and feeling that had no
right to be liked best, even by one per-
son, she grew jealous, and pouted and
complained, and often went to her
mother to pour out words of reproach
against me.
My stepmother was not at all pleased
to have the elegant city lad show pref
erence for me, but she had no means
of controlling his tastes, and so her
only resource was to vent her displeas-
ure on my unluclzy head, which she did
at every opportunity, making my life
more of a burden than ever it had
been.
II am not to blame for viii liking
me-" once ventured to urge in vindica-
ton of myself when my stepmother
was soundly abusing me for being fav-
ored by him above her daughter. 81
don't make him like me, and can't help
it if he does think the most of me-"
"Yes you can help it." my stepmoth-
er snapped out spitefully. IF you
wasn't always putting yourself in his
way and forcing yourself on him,
he wouldn't take so much notice of
you I've watched you when he was
here, and I've been perfectly ashamed
of you when saw how you put your
self forward to demand his attentions.
i shudder for Mary's reputation when
you are grown up, for know you will
disgrace her | never saw such for
ward, shameless creature as you are.
Never"
was too young, then, to understand
the meaning of my stepmother's words,
but they troubled me deeply, notwith-
standing. ] knew that their import,
whatever their meaning, was to mis-
represent and libel me, and that ! was
thus prosecuted because had succeed
ed in gaining the esteem of one person
out Of all knew.
/ remember thought it very hard
that | could not have this one friend
without him being grudged to me. when
my sister had the attentions and love of
everyone else. thought that with all
she had, might be allowed the pleas
ure of one friendship uncoveted, and
for the first time in my life | was
slightly inclined to contend for my
rights Not that did contend in the
least, by word or act, but simply that l
felt the inclination.
] iipli bietb NdS SNNtlHothNA WYNN
every precaution she could to keep viii
( Hanley and | separated. She never
permitted me to go to Mrs. Browns if
she could prevent it, and she was usu-
ally prepared to do that, and when
Win came to our house she managed
very well, by one device and another,
to keep me out of his company, general
+ ~ sending me to the kitchen to assist
Aunt Mary, there to remain hour after
hour, though Aunt Mary declared she
did not need me and would rather have
me out of the way.
viii and | contrived. however, to
spend a great many hours together, and
he plainly showed that he retained a
preference for my company over that of
my sister; and many were the we'll
meant compliments he paid to my char
acter and personal appearance. True
to his promise, he always spoke of my
hair as auburn or golden locks, and he