Stella Rosevelt — page 231: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

4 THE GOAL REACHED. 225 tory ; but she has acquitted herself grandly in the French essay, which she composed and translated herself.” ‘«She has, indeed. I never heard purer French spoken, even in Paris. Does she live in the city?” ‘‘T believe so, although I do not know where. She comes and goes very quietly, and her clothing indicates that her friends, whoever they may be, are in limited circumstances, She appears to have no intimates, and yet she is a favorite with all. There must be some sorrowful story connected with her life, I think, for there is a haunting sadness in her eyes whenever they meet yours, except when she smiles or becomes animated in conversation; then she is charming.” ‘‘T should like to know her,” said the first speaker, musingly; but President Hunter here arose to distribute the diplomas, and she gave her attention to his remarks, although her glance frequently sought the lovely face which had so attracted her attention. The subject of the above conversation, although unconscious of it, was none the less worthy of it. After leaving Jacob Rosevelt on the night of her exciting in- terview with Mrs. Richards, she sped swiftly back to her room, where she gathered together a few articles of clothing and , packed them into a small valise; her school-books also, with her portfolio and the small box which had so aroused Jose- phine’s curiosity that day when she went to steal Star’s lovely | cameo. These preparations ended, she retired to rest. She awoke long before daylight, and dressing herself in a dark street dress, she sat down by the window to wait for the dawn. She penned that little note to Mrs. Blunt the last thing before leaving the house. The woman had been so kind to her that she could not find it in her heart to go away without a single word of farewell; to the others she gave not a thought. ms COMME NOK KSEC)