The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-07-23
REMUNERATION.
tFrom Hearth and Home. !

From Hearth and Home
When the shadow first began to steal
across the brightness of his widowed
home, Mr.. Heraldcourt, looking back in
after days, felt that he could not tell
But, little by little, day by day, he be-
gan to perceive that there was a change I;
change all the more battling and per-
picking that he could not lay his hand
upon it, could not fix it in its place and
bid it begone and trouble him no more.
The sunlight streamed through glory
of frosted glass and filmy lace on carpets
just as soft, and yet he felt hidden thorn;
Maude sang his favorte songs in a voice
sweet as of old, and yet he caught jar
in its music; Marion's hand was Just as
soft upon his forehead when she smOothed
his snow-white hair, and yet he felt
chill under its warmth. There was a sigh
in all the air.
and broke the silence which, wisely or
unwisely, he had kept.
"What can be the matter?" he burst
out one day when they had been sitting
silently together; "Maude, my darling,
are you ill, or in trouble ?'
"1ll, papa! What could have made
you fancy that? No, am well, quite
WELL"
Does anything trouble you Forgive
me he saw the quick tears which she
would not let fall" but you seem to be
sadly changed, my daughter"
No, no! What trouble should 1
haveT' she answered petulantly. He
turned with saddened face to Marion,
but she stole her little white hand quickly
into his, and spoke before him.
If had any trouble should come to
you with it, my darling father. BE sure
of that.
The twin pair of lovely eyes which
held the light of all the world for the
fond old fathers heart had been lifted
readily enough to his. But they fell
again, quickly, and never once looked
across to each other in girlish Jest or sis
terly sympathy, as they would once have
been quick to do.
"Well, we'll" he muttered "I don't
know what makes it, but there is differ
ence somewhere; difference differ
nceV
He was silent moment, as if thinking
busily, and then starting up, he drew a
etter from his pocket.
"I got this from Robinson this morn
ing, asking us to spend the Summer again
with him at the Marshes. He writes that
Captain Richard has already secured
rooms for himself and his friend Crevis-
son, so that in case we accept we shall be
sure of pleasant company" His eyes
were fixed on the letter. and he did not
see how, at mention of those names, the
quick light leaped into Maude's dark
eyes, and the swift red blood rose in
waves of lovely color to Marion's fair
cheek.
eff it could only be like that other
Summer we stayed there "-began Maude,
and then stopped, holding her teeth tight
upon rosy under lip, while Marion grew
white as death.
"We must ask Richards advice this
evening"" pursued the father, still intent
upon the letter. "He sent message that
he should be up from the fort with Crew.
isson for dinner; and, hush !" lifting his
head suddenly at the sound of horses
feet on the gravel walk without, 81 be-
lieve they are already come"
With parted lips and eager eyes the
girls started to their feet in time to see
two horsemen dash past the windows on
their way to the stables.
"And we are still in our morning
dresses" pouted Maude, putting up a
little ringed hand to her dishevelled
braids. "Where can the time have gone
toT
"It's a repetition of the lovers expe-
rience," said the proud and still gallant
father. "In such sweet company time
always treads on flowers. Now 90 and
make yourselves lovely. Mind, you are
to bring smiles and beauty back with
you to brighten the old fathers heart"
He drew them to him, and kissed them
fondly before he let them go.
"You are so like your mother, "he said
10 Marion, who fingered as if loath to
leave him. Remember to be always
like her, tender and selfsacrifcing, 1t is
the better partr" And he kissed her
again before he closed the door.
What had he guessed? Marion trem-
bled and turned pale as she dragged her
self up the stairs. He had looked at her
20 strangely; there was look of such
dawning age in his face. His hair had
suddenly whitened, and heavy lines were
craven on his forehead i'm these last few
troubled weeks
She, too, felt suddenly and curiously
old, as If age, with all of its spirit and
sweetness lost, had slipped, untimely, into
her life. The frost had come in June and
she shivered in the bleak December at
mosphere it made; the fbres of her low
ing nature, once chilled, were not strong
enough to seek the sun again and twine
themselves about the first support that
offered. Sometimes, too, her heart re-
belled and turned fiercely facing its tor
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
al do love him-himp' she said to her
self, stopping and looking down at the
semblance Of a crushed flower, in the soft
fabric under her feet. "How can help
loving him2 And who would say that
it is selfish or cruel Of me to accept love
when IL is proffered Is not love the
sweetest gift in all the world? Is it not
treasure-trove that whoever finds NAV
keep, no matter how wealthy or how poor
il makes the finder2 Oh, must keep his
lovel can not give il upp
She pressed her hands to her burning
cheeks and hurried on TO her own room,
with a vague wish that her flying feet
might outrun her vexing thoughts. She
opened the door, and the quick draft OF
air sent loose blind flying open; an
arrow of golden light shot in and