The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-10-13

~AN poiOhS5S OhiCu GulS
Maria had objected to vanished, ant
the old color, though more brilliau
than before, took its place. She tolt
him how she had spent her vacation
and OF her aunt'S illness. which had pre-
vented ber fulfilling her engagement te
teach. He did not intend to teach any
more, he said. He had accepted the
situation partly to please Mr.. Brentford
ard partly to try the experiment. He
would soon begin to practice law, az
he had educated himself for that profes-
sion. After a while bv said:
"Have you heard from Miss Lester
lately ~
Violet felt dull pain at her heart +;
perhaps he was going to tell her she
banished the thought, and answered:
81 have received only one letter from
her since school closed. cannot con-
lecture the cause of her silence"
"You have not heard then, of her
guardians death p
Violet started, and her eyes filed
with tears. mo. When did he die 2"
Sin July. / saw an account of it in
paper that is printed in his city,"
"Poor India itmust have been hard
blow for her. She thought great
deal of him." There was a long silence.
Violet's gentle heart was full ofsympa-
thy for her friend.
Il saw friend of yours this sum-
mer," said Sidney Morton.
"Indeed whom 7"
"Miss Downey. Ispent quite while
in her native town, and saw her often" A."
"Dear little Allie! said Violet; she
is one of the best girls ever knew; so
kind hearted and SO independent of the
opinion Of others, if she knows she is
right. l have received quite a number
of letters from her since l last saw her,"
She spoke of you quite often, and
from her l learned that you had not
been engaged to Mr.. Richmond"
Violet looked annoyed. $50 that re-
port reached your ears too Who told
you!" ,l
"Miss Lester, Or l should not have
believed it," ar
"What India' surely professor, you
you must be mistaken" .la..
No, Violet, l was not mistaken, and
you do not know how wretched it
made me-" 1 5t Co.,
A hot flush dyed Violet's face. Why |
did India tell you thatl" she said. But
A moments reflection revealed to her
the motive India had in telling this
faIsehood. She remembered the secret
she had discovered on the night of the
concert.
"From malice perhaps, said the Pro-
fessor, in answer to her question. 81
should not have told you, had l not
feared you would think | listened to
and believed schoolgirls gossip. But
Coming from Miss Lester as it did, and
having the additional proofof what |
was the engagement ring on
your finger, did not doubt it for a mo-
nent. One afternoon a short time ago,
called upon Miss Downey, and in
speaking of your roommate and of her
guardians death, she mentioned the
'eport that had once been rife in the
Ichool about your being betrothed to
him. In as careless tone as l could
assume, asked if it was not true. She
assured me that il was entirely false,
md that is why l am here now, l want
o ask you question, dear, and"-
But it is no matter what that question
vas. Suffice it to say that violet's an
wer was ''yes" whatever it might have
een, and the Professor declared him
elf the happiest man alive.
They returned TO the house, and af-
er conTersing for while upon gener-
tOptics, Miss Maria looked at her
ieces flushed cheeks and sparkling
yes, and said triumphantly:
'Hhope you'll take my advice soon
the next time, Violet; you look like 3
mother girl since you took that walk. t
tell you there's nothing like the fresh 4
ir to make people healthy. Don't you i
gree with me Violet"
eyes ma'am," answered that young i,
dy demurely. In looking at Sidney t
Lorton, Miss Maria concluded it had G
ben very beneficial to him too, and o
I'd more faith than ever in morning !,
alks.
When Sidney Morton told her the OBJ a
ct of his visit, she did not immediate @
give her consent. She thought peo- =
e were foolish for getting married she ..
lid; She had been contented enough 7
ithout husband. But at last she con- t
ntodL md n1InI all. a. - ~ q