The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-05-19

y what beautiful
child Amy WASP" Mrs. Grantley said,
"the preitiest OF oil we saw, and we
were-how long, making selection?"
Dear mel cannot recollect, !"
said Mrs. Dinsmore. "We visited
every orphan asylum and home we
heard of, know. Yes, Amy was a
perfect little beauty"
"And ! was so careful in my direc.
tion at every school where l have
placed her that she should be watched
and prevented from getting freckled
or spelling her complexion in any
way. She has been most faithfully
cared for, and now, my dear, when L
come home, expecting to find q lovely
girl to introduce to society, l am
fairly stunnedi Amy is positively
ugly"
''It is too dreadfull" said Mrs.
Dinsmore, with sympathetic shud.
der.
"Of course, must do my duty by
her," continued Mrs. Grantley, plain.
lively, "after giving her the best edu-
cation money could procure and all
the tastes and accomplishments OF q
lady. cannot turn the child away
for what is really no fault OF her own.
Of course she would be beauty II
she couldl But it is bitter disap'
pointment
And it was. Mrs. Grantley was q
woman OF society, bound Up in the re-
1uirements of fashion, lady manager
'or dozen or 80 OF popular chari-
lies, patroness for many benevolent
schemes, keeping open house for balls,
parties, private theatricals and festivi-
ties of all kinds all winter, and lead
ing society in great measure at
Saratoga, Newport and some other re-
sort of fashion all summer. A child
less widow, with a large income, very
handsome, highly educated and re-
fined, she was very queen in her own
circle for many years. Then, feeling
that her own beauty was waning, she
resolved to give new charm to her
house, a new interest to her life, by
adopting child.
The first, the most essential, requis'
ite in her eyes was beauty; the next
intellect, and with these she also re-
quired q child who was absolutely
friendless--one who would have nc
unpleasant relations claiming &C.
quaintance at some future date, how
ever remote. 1t was not easy to meet
all these con iitions, but the child was
found at last; she was very fair, with
a bloom like a peach blossom upon
each delicate cheek she had fair, soft
hair that curled naturally, blue eyes
full of sweetness and delicate features
her feet and hands were OF aristocratiC
proportions, and her figure slender
and graceful. A street waif, she knew
of no home beyond the asylum where
Mrs. Grantley found her, and had nc
relative of whom she had ever heard,
There was no difficulty about the mat
ter, and Mrs. Grantley adopted the
child, calling her Amy Grantley, aDd
delighting to exhibit her in the dain
tiest of costumes to her admirine
friends.
When Amy was twelve years old
having proved herself an apt scholar
with a good nursery goyerness, Mrs
Grantley decided to go to Europe
She left her adopted child in a gooC
school, and corresponded with hel
regularly, seeing with delight that til,
child's mind and heart expanded an(
showed cultivation and sweet, maiden
ly beauty as her education advanced
For seven years Amy remained q
school, conscientious student, de
lighting in music, and showing alway
o gentle, lovable disposition.
In her heart there was one shrine
where. next her God, was one obiec
of absolute worship-Mrs. Grantley
She had never been deceived regard
ing her own position, knowing that t.
her adopted mother she owed every
pleasure and every advantage she en-
ioyed. Every action of her life wa
influenced by her gratitude. Loving
stVey for it's own sake, she threw fresl
energy into every accomplishment t.
please her friend, her kind adoptet
mother she made music an absorbin
pursuit, because Mrs. Grantley love,
music, aud her teachers assured he
her strong, pure voice must give pleas
ure to any true lover of singing.
Year after year the strong hope c
her life was that Mrs. Grantley woul
soon return, and she might in som
way repay what she owed her. Th
day the summons came to her to NEE
Mrs. GrantleY in what was to be he
future home, the child WAS almost j
with excitement.
Educated by lady who considere
it duty to check any vanity in he
pupils, Amy had never given muc
thought to her personal appearance,