Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-08-19
CHAPTER VI (Continued),

Those who remember her that win
rer say that under his influence she
developed from a handsome woman
into lovely one. Yet no engagement
was announced, and society was Won
dering what held Francis Jeffrey back
from so great a prize, when Veronica
Moore came home, and the question
was forever answered.
Veronica was now nearly eighteen
and during her absence had blossomed
into womanhood. She was not as
beautiful as her sister, but she had
bright and pleasing expression, with
enough spice in her Temperament to
rob her girlish features Of insipidity
and make her conversation witty, If
not brilliant. Yet when Francis JEFF
frey turned his attentions from Miss
Tuttle and fixede them without reserve
or seeming shame upon this pretty but
terfly. but one term could be found to
was fortune hunting. OF small but
settled income,Ihe had hitherto shown
a certain contentment with his condi-
ton calculated to inspire respect and
make his attentions to Miss futile
seem both consistent and appropriate
But no sooner did Neronica's bright
eyes appear than he fell at the young
heiress' feet and pressed his suit so
close and.fas that in two months they
were engaged and at the end Of the
half yearsmarried-with the disastrous
consequences Just made. known.
So much for the general gossip Of
the town. Now for the special.
A certain gentleman, whom it Is un-
necessary to name, had been present
at one critical instant in the lives Of
these three persons. He was not
scandal mOnger, and II everything had
gone on happily-if Veronica had lived
and Cora settled down into matrimony
he would never have mentioned what
he heard and saw one night in the
great drawing room of a hotel in At
lantic City.
1t was at the time when the engage
ment was first announced between
Jeffrey and the young heiress. This
and his previous attentions to Cora
had made much talk, both in Wash
ington and elsewhere, and there were
not lacking those who had openly
twttted him for his seeming incon-
stancy. This had been over the cups
Of course, and jeffrey had borne it well
enough from his so called friends and
1ntimates. But when, on a certain
evening in the parlor Of one Of the
large hotels In Atlantic City, a fellow
whom nobody knew and nobody liked
accused him Of knowing on which side
his bread was buttered, and that GER
tainly it was not ON the side Of beauty
and superior attainments, jeffrey got
angry. Needless Of who might be
within hearing. he spoke up very plain.
ly in these words: You are all Of q
kind-rank money worshipers and self
seekcrs-or you would not be SO ready
to see greed in my admiration for Miss
Moore. Disagreeable as ! find 1t to
air my sentiments in this public man.
ner, yet since you provoke me to II
I will say once and for all that am
deeply in love with Miss Moore and
that It is for this reason only I am 60
ing to marry her. Were she the pen
niless girl her sister is. and Miss futile
the proud possessor Of the wealth
which. in your eyes, confers such dis
tinction upon Miss Moore. you would
still see me at the latter's feet, and al
hers only. Miss Tuttle's charms are moi
potent enough to hold the heart which
has once been fixed by her sisters
smile"
This was pointed enough, certainly
but when at the conclusion Of bill
words O tall figure rose from q neal
corner and Cora futile passed tn
amazed group with a bow I dare sway
rant that not one Of the men. compoa
ing 1t but wished himself q hundre,
miles away.
With this incident filing my mind
returned to Washington. I had &C
Quainted myself with the open fact
Of this family's history. But what o
its inner life2 Who knew It? Did an,
one?