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Full Title
The New York Fireside Companion : a journal of instructive and entertaining literature, v. XLIX, no. 1258, December 5, 1891, [Incomplete].
Contributor
Gilman, Wenona. Old Sleuth, 1839?-1898. Fleming, May Agnes, 1840-1880. Benners, Will J., Jr. Garvice, Charles, 1850-1920.
Date Added
11 May 2022
Format
Newspaper
Language
English
Publish Date
1891-12-05
Publisher
New York : George Munro
Alternate Title
Fireside Companion Val the tomboy / by Wenona Gilman. Old Phenomenal; or, The double tragedy mystery : an old-time detective narrative / by Old Sleuth. Double tragedy mystery The heiress of Glen Gower; or, The hidden crime / by May Agnes Fleming ; edited by W. J. Benners, Jr. Hidden crime On love's altar; or, A fatal fancy / by Charles Garvice. Fatal fancy
Topic
New York (N.Y.) > Newspapers. Popular literature > United States > 19th century > Periodicals. Story papers > Specimens.
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Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Liability Disclaimer of Endorsement
OCR
Vol. XLIX.
Sone erg ee
ot Glen Gower: or, T
he Hidden Crime,” on 4th page of this paper.
{ SERGE,
17 70 27 VANDEWATER STREET.
MUNRO, Procnsron,
NEW YORK, DECEMBER 5, 1891. {PCE SAV CODES Fon $8. NO
No. 1258
IssvED Wesx.y.—ENTEREn ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONORESS IN THE YEAR 1801, BY Gronok MuNno, mx THE OFFICE oF THE LioRARIAN OF CoNoRESS, WasmixT0N, D. C.—ENTeRED at Tae Post Orrice at New Yonx at Seconp Crass Rares.
_w/
Se ie
aise AGeene aol
"YOU upUek IHU
ate Mae
aa ‘waonioeD.
yD
ceous ean a
aaa 1
FULLY REAL
0 YON ge woe? wa, teen
Ear e
Enrered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1601, by George Munro, in the office of the Librarian of
gress, Washington, D.
VAL THE
TOMBOY
By WENONA GILMAN,
Aurion or “My Lrrmu Princess,” “Hearts ano Lrves,” “Buinp Day's Davonter,” Ex
[rms STORY WILL NOT BE PUBLISUED IN BOOK FORM.)
CHAPTER L.
lt TRS 8 Yory pretty piotore that Val madg, st.
ting there upon the edge of the old-fashioned
piazza, with the scorching afternoon sun beatin;
down upon her beautiful, sun-browned face, an
that look of defiance in her great dark 6
Her tasteful hat with its broad brim, Fes pushed
back, forming a frame rather than a shade to the
sory ungloved bi held a bur ch of of
exquisite Jacque rose, but there. was no
tion, only scorn and ‘leances in the pyes th that were
ifted to the face of the woman Who occupied a
huge arm-chait in ashaded nook upon ‘the e bazza,
‘That elder face was a beautiful ono also, but sad-
ly marred at thal moment by an expression that
contained nothing short of absolute hatred as the
Dine eyes met Val's ras Young. al
Peasediy more, tha Rreaud-twenty yet tor six
Seare she had been Val's atep-mother, oF ever since
That dainty, rollicking creature was a child of
Tn perfect accord with the old-established idea of
step-mother and daughter, Val and Dolores Wake-
fied had hated each other
ery first—a feeling that the death oe ‘the fatl her
pa Bad husband, tc troy youre. e, had not
as never af Spnort lost tor
Sejunttel between them, aud thie pocasl
different from the others.
“Will you answer mot” erled Mrs. Wakefield,
wergthfully.
‘Do you forget. that Tam your legal al guardian!”
“] forget everything that is connected with you,
You are so thoroughly despicable to me, that if
you did not thrust yourself before my sight at all
mes, I should even forget that you are in exist-
ence.!
jo blue eyes of the elder woman blazed, A
sinister sinile crossed her
“T shall take ‘astcalar pains to gratify you in
gne respect!” she cried, a Mush rising to het checks.
ou are noted in this whole count; for miles
and for your tomborish actions, are dis-
praced 3 in the very neighborhood. where you ‘were
wa for Your outrageous and unwomanly conduct
inruaniig about the country sft over your
ghoulder and a dog at your Ta nd that dagnet
ing costume that disgrace dest,
woman, “You baw the game sou shoot with the
‘opehalance of a boy. You ride over the country
bt breakneck speed with a pack of hounds, and
make yourself the subject of gossip far and ‘near
by conduct that would have broken your father’s
heart had he lived to witness it, Farther, than
that, you are teaching your youn sister ta follow
in Your footsteps: P ulaiig a Fide into the bande of
fn elght year td leildy and teaching her to File
oe disreputable horses. All this I have tried to
ently, but—”
Yock Sroan that concealed a halt Tough s.
cated ‘Val at this catalogue of hor crimes which a
bad ard enumerated every day for two years,
me ie continued Mrs. Wakefield, “ you are not
satiated with that, In addition, you miust meet a
me ‘A gentleman,” interrupted Val.
man in ‘the woods, and go hating w with
him fone for hours.”
{ile is your guest, is he not”
oes that excuse your conduct? On the con-
gol
Place’ distance Derweod you and me, #0 that yoR
need be no longer distressed by the sight of my
face. Iam going to send you away.
Val laug!
“ Aw hata a punishment!” she cried, sneeringly.
gleam of satistaction erossed Mrs. Waketicld’s
vectenanc
“Tam glad that you take pleasure in the thought
for I feared that even in your desire to be rid of
me you might object, for the place to which Isat
you is one where the discipline is not of the
ost t leniont, and that is what you stand 0 sadly
in m uch of a hoiden for
tne, and 1 “have conctudea to send you to a con-
vent.”
‘There was not much of a smile upon Val’s face
then. She leaped to her feet, and Dolores Wake-
field laughed aloud.
“You would never dare to do that,” she. gasped.
“Would I not? Wait and see! You forget that
you are absolutely under my control until you reach
the age of twenty-one. You have not a penny ¢ that
I do not choose to give you, until you are of ag
am uot therefore foreed 10 provide one ta tor
you, neither a r read,
are ‘of age. ou seem to, Tonect that ne nt ve
tirely in my power, and that ean do with you ex-
actly as I like. And in whatever 1 should choose
to do I should have the sympathy of all the country
eet
round about, for they all know you for exactly
what you are.”
cried Val, indicvantly.- “They know mo
at tho estimate that you have sot upon me. | Tho
know me only by the falsehoods that you have put
fr etteulation cotcerming mae, You havo tried sour
beat to disgrace ine ia the eamation of the people
who loved my mother, and ir hypo
have very rnouey suceeateds but T tll yo at, t
rll not go toa convent,’ Do sou think that I wou
Teave my poor litte sister, whom you hate just
Cordially de you dome, hepe alone with your telh
You, Hever! Do you think Ihave forgotten the cruel
beating that you gave to Nadjy no longer ago than
last Week, until you left those blue marks upon her
little body? ery
lntle what become of met bat ‘you shail not sepie
Tato ime from her. 1 am willing to go away, apy
Where. Fou like, except to'a convent, if you will
Blow her to accompany me.”
“<dnd you really think fo dictate your own te
to mo? me oven Jess than f thought,
‘Buere ie noove tor miles aroud that wil not a
pland my action in separating a girl like you from
4 child whom you aro ruining. Even if it wero not
have sald before, you are entirely in my
power and? am not ted to ets community," You
gol to a conve
tell you t nil
*<Hlow do you propose te prevent It"
ec Taon't kuond bee Eee frst
‘A look of scorn crossed Mrs, Waketield’s face.
ep don't thinks you would find very much, grief
exprossed at the funoral,” she said, cru
Js not a girl in the neighborhood that Srgina be a
lowed to mpeak $0 Fou, were t pot for the respect
hat ave. "for ‘our
Headee dnote fast nagrage to yoke
bat oven that i at pt horror of ‘their mothers. I
order in to our trunk.
Claringford—
or re
She will bi) ready to receive you
hated and hi 4 Tuesday. 1 shall take ye
there my: You hav
ays in vehich to my eood bye to Sour old "home,
and it is good-bye for many a day, I can assure
you.
An expression of almost flendish triumph gleamed
in the cruel countenance, and tears of rage dimmed.
the Deautiful dark eyes of the ehild-woman,
“Do you think Lwill subinit to thie Silence,
Delores Wakefield?” she cried, hoarse
Domne all the hard, bitter things that ava havo anid
friends of my family, I have al-
fowed you to pat ta nstraction you would upon
my acts, because I was too pro
to them for their sympathy. Idid not teil them, as
T could have flone, at I was forced into the com
panionship of my dor, ‘and my gun in
Drdar to escape from the, ser treatment that Tre
celved at home. T did not tell that I dragged Nadjy
‘with me because I feared fe her at home with
yon, Test upon my return Iahania tind her delicate
aly covered with brutses that your slendishness
had placed upon to save my dead
father the ainerace ‘hat would bave come to hit
throng you, and hare kept alten but I ill do go
no longer now. | I shall
“Do you think that any one would believe you
now? Oh, no! I gon not mind telling ee that
Fave done my work tov well, You are gompletely
fettered, my pretty boiden, od there is absolutely
nothing for you todo but to submit quietly, You
to the seorvent Thumday
sed of her own accord without completing
She
her senvence, anda of serap! ie s sweetness took
the place of her anger. ‘The gate down between the
elm that shaded. the’ beautiful walk had ‘opened,
men in, a hunting: attire had come through,
Hoy came upand threw duelr yata upon the Tlazea,
drawing along reath of rel ‘Val had resume
her seat, but the look of horror had not left her
‘Heavens, how hot tt ist”? oxciated Guy Bara:
side, looking at her admicingly. “Does nothin
how that one examines moro closely.”
Bho did not reply. Great tears had her
eyes, and, ploking tp the roses that she Thad deop ped,
she went nurriedly Into the hou
Wakefield laughed softly as both men looked
ate! her i Jn astonishment and some distress.
mind her, Guy,” she said, gently.
“Tey only ono of her Ate of tontper, rank ean tel
you all about them, if you have not “yet learned for
ourself.
yethat charming child!” eried Burnside.
‘That charming child,” she re
‘Then a thought eame that brought a burning as
to hor chee a gho bad realized it for the fret
me.
“He loves hor!” she exclaimed, “1
geo all now. Why havo. f been! blind 86 tong?
‘Thank Heaven! it is not too late. “There is nothing
that can save her from the convent now. Or stay!
She did not conclude the thought, but some other
uggestion more eruel than the last had entered
Ree fertie brain She barely retrained from lagi
ing aloud and clapping her hands as it occurred to
er.
CHAPTER IL.
Tie moonlight was streaming into the old, sum-
mer-house down the river, making curious
pictures under the spreading braiches of the trees
Darted upon the bank to give s good view of
the looking as if spread with a-sheon of
alee
‘The scene was peaceful enough, beautiful enough,
pe
to have fatistied. the heart of ‘the. most attisticy
but to rebellions little Val there was nothing there
but misery and shame, sat: upo! old
‘wooden seat and gazed ‘nt over iva
She was not cryin ‘Val only sentimental
girls and, babies dia That and all he tifo sho had
tried to be ni , ball herself always because
hs bad been bor ‘But she was just as mis-
erable as if all the tears in the world were being
hed. She kuew that Dolores had decided upon
compelling her to leave home, “She knew that the
real reason for her desired absence had not been
given, but she also knew that she might as well seek
for a’solution of the ost tunexplainable Chinese
puzzle as to discover the any of Dolores’
Bu that Dolores did not choose to give herself.
And she knew, furthermore, that her step-mother
‘was as inexorable as fate itself in any of her deter-
minations.
It Was @ very quiet lttle figure that sat there
under the old summer-house, It neither moved nor
poke, but sat with ki mbrace, the great
thes fixed apon tho moon shadows. Bo teepl
fhured was she in her own thougite that she Uid not
@ 70 THE GRouNp
Me SPRANT pied nee Our cur,
even notice the aroma of a cigar that was comin
nearer and eater, did not hear the breaking o1 the
twigs, n und of the long grass brushed
aida, b but stated iolentiy ‘when some one at her.
sid r name.
ORT trighton you Val” the gentleman asked.
“No,” ate answered, dreari vas surprised,
that was ‘ot hear you comi
0 You ‘ienow wut time, It is, ota “Ttis after
twelve. Dolores has ig ago, and I
am sure she thinks you Mare ore, at
And 1 am sure that she isnot thinking upon the
subject at all,” answered Val, bitterly. “I am not
realy to go in yetz but pray don't let me keep you.”
iere Was a slight sneer in the tone, but rang
Colville did not choose to hear it. He sat d
e her and leaned back with bis head agaluat tho
8
lattice.
‘How exquisite it is here!” he sald, areamtty,
“One would not mind going on livi ring forever if
fone gould only pass life in.a place like this. . You
aust be very happy here, Vall”
eT am,” she answered, bitterly, |“ Happy
as the sey tan in the mete Hades.
Oh a pretense in
what oie doce not bellovsr, They eal ake "val the
tombor,’ and *Val the holden; why not Val the
agnostle,
Thon yon "a not happy?”
the looked at him for a moment silently, then
said, coldly:
“J wish’ you would go away. Iwas here first,
andl don't want t to B, in-doors, ‘The entire park
's open to you, Is not to me, F should dis.
grace my cit ities sepanetier if I were to
rowling around at this
mT erainty fil gor it you Wis ; but
my ood ane i Why do you refuse ne cae ite
give it to all the others of the
erento tho gardener? on are not cold to Buri
side in the same way that you are tome, In what
havo fate ned, Valt’?
‘are her ftiend—her most intimate male
friend she prejudices every one against me, and
she must have made you despise me as she has all
“You mean that you think Dolores has preju-
leeds me?”
‘Thea tot ine reassure you!” exied Cotvile, with
a short laugh. “She could not! I have known
Dolores Waiefteld ever since she was a little gitl.”
“Yet you are her frien
‘Js that a reason by T Shoat allow her to fora
and because I knew ‘here wes ba shooting’ iy this
Part of the country. It dots not sound very pleas
antly or very grateful when one puts it into words,
does it? But then there is some virtue in speaking
fn oceastonal truth a something which one rarely
hears in this world... No, my dear Val!_ If it is be-
cause you think Dolores has prejudiced me against
interested in me to care whether Tlike you or not.”
“Then why did she ask
He shrugged lis shoulders ‘indifferently.
“When you have lived longer in the world,” he