The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-09-16
The Story OF Christine
IN WO CHA PIE rs.
Z CHAPTER J.

It was, o glorious summer morning, ana
Christine Thelluson was walking slowly
through the cornfelds down to the river
Her step was slow and languid as that of
a person i'll or unhappy, and it seemed to
make her lot so much the harder and
more bitter that the world smiled Just
when her heart was an aching, unsatisfied
void Poor Christine She went through
the fields of corn, crossed the stile into
the meadow where the sleek drowzy cattle
cropped the delicate herbage and came
out by the river brink The beech trees
in the hedge threw long sIanting shad-
ows hallway across the river, and Chris
tine sat down on the soft turf and looked
mournfuliy at the water.
ooh, how miserable am! she said to
herself, with great, bitter sigh. What
shall I do with all my life to come, and l
only twenty? People say life is short.
Why I seem to have lived centuries of
misery, and I am so we'll and strong there
is no hope of my dying | think should
be quite happy if knew was in con
sumption and couldn't possibly live more
than few months, like poor Milly Files
mere. Oh, that does seem hard Sc
young and lovely, and rich, with a man
who adores her, to whom she clings in
an agony Of despair! The thought of
her having to be torn from him seems
like some horrible nightmare. And I,
whom no one wants, whose life is utterly,
miserably valueIess, and to go on living,
perhaps, for fifty years. each one more DESC
late than the last. And they keep telling
me that ought to be thankful for my
mercies. dare say I ought" groaned
Door Christine, bitterly. "I dare say
there are poor miserable, suffering wretch
es, while | have clothes to wear and food
to eat but don't believe they are really
more miserable than I am. And only
eighteen months ago my life was such a
happy one, full of brightness and sun
shine. had love and admiration. socie-
ty, everything that money could buy, and
now I am buried in the heart of the coun.
try, with two old maids who haven't a
wish or an idea above their worsted work
or game of whist with a dummy, and
think it indicate to feel or express the
want of mems society. am sure ought
to be very grateful to them," Christine
interrupted herself, penitently, for
might have been starving now if it hadn't
been for them; but if could only have
my own living, turn actress, or serve in a
shop (anything but ebeen governess or
companion I might still have some de-
cent interest in life. / have been here
fourteen months, and all that time have
only once seen a gentleman, if I except
the rector, the doctor, and old Col Seaton
the hypochondriac. That was "a month
ago last Sunday, and have done nothing
but think of him ever since, for he
INro11rrht 70 Mad fba mon T ,1eol ~
in the dear old life; and he looked so
miserable watched HIM all church
time, but he had no eyes for any one but
the woman who sat next him. She wasn't
pretty, but she seemed possessed of a per-
feet demon OF coquetry, and as if she
wanted every man to be in love with her,
whether she cared for him or not. saw
what bewitching smiles she gave hand
some young Whitaker, the farmer, as he
stood aside in the porch, hat in hand, to
let her pass. Sir Fairfax saw it, too his
eyes had an angry,miserable look in them.
How he found the places in her prayer
book, as If she was some spoiled child
And he is fairly breaking his heart about
her, they sayiT She can't be heartless,
either, to give up such a match as Sir
Fairfax, and go out to India to his scape-
grace brother. l should like to see him.
They say he is one of the handsomest
young fellows that ever was seen. but
that he is not enamored of his intended
while Sir Fairfax would lay down his life
for her. All, that's one of natures noble
men! He is not handsome exactly, Int
gentleman is stamped unmistakably on
every line of his face Only thirty.five
Aunt Clara says, and he looks, oh, wear,
older! [ wonder if he is as miserable a.
lam? No, he can't be, because he's /
man, and has interests in life; he can i'm
prove his property, can hunt and shoot
while II have nothing in all the worlG