The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-12-15


CHAPTERI.
One balmy evening in the month of June,
two young girls stood together on the veranda
fronting the residence of Lawyer Egerton.
One of them was Ella Egerton, the lawyers
daughter the other, her most intimate
friend, Lima Ashleigh. Ella was not strik-
ingly pretty girl, but just then she made a
very attractive picture as she leaned against
the balustrade of the veranda-the back
ground of dark green leaves and scarlet bios
SONS, contrasting beautifully with her snowy
Indian muslin dress, while they were in har-
mony with the scarlet ribbon that bound her
hair, and the broad sash of the same hue that
confined her waist, Any clarm that might be
lacking in actual beauty was amply atoned
for in the unaffected grace of her manner
and the sweet melody of her voice as she con-
versed with her companion.
The beauty of the latter was of an entirely
different type. Her small figure was the per-
lection of grace She had large starry blue
eyes and a pearl-shell-tinted complexion and
there was sprightly airy grace in her man
though strikingly similar to Ella Egertons,
yet lacked its richness and her ribbons were
soiled and faded. She was evidently regard
ed with much affection by the former, for as
she conversed with her, she tenderly smooth
ed with her small white hand the soft blonde
hair that swept from the broad low forehead
of Lima in dainty ringlcts.
II must go,' she said at length "rve
been here all the afternoon ; what bother I
am to you.'' "You should not say SOL re-
turned Ella, her quiet musical voice little
heightened "you know that l am always
happy when you are here"
~ don't see how you can be just look at
the difference in our positions ~
"Don't talk that way Lima true friend
ship always bridges every difference of that
kind. / can come to see you if l wish, but
we can be more alone here"
81 don't know what should do without
you, should want to die right away, when
you get to disliking me-" exclaimed Lima inn
petuousy and there was very suspicious
sign of tears in her blue eyes as she gazed up
into her friends.
"Now hush Lima, said Ella, with mer-
ny laugh 81 do believe we are acting as sem
timental as tho we were lovers Come up
again tomorrow sometime;" and with
warm kiss the two girls parted. Lima tripped
gracefully down the green slope to the en-
trance gate, and Ella, after watching her
moment, with tender love light in her brown
eyes, turned to enter the house.
Just then gentleman stepped forth from
picturesque arbor near by, and came up the
veranda. "Why uncle Larance where did
you come from " exclaimed Ella. :" have
been enjoying the cool of that arbor for the
last hour" he replied.
"And here I have been wanting you to
come, and have been keeping Lima, so that
you might see her, you naughty man.
81 am sorry" he replied with gravity. 81
did attempt to enter the parlor, but hearing an
animated conversation going on between two
girls, feared might be intruding, beside l
had some letters to read, so retired to that
arbor. You'll forgive me for spelling your
plans?
Yes, If you will do penance by sitting
down here with me while I've hardly seen
you yet"
"a very delightful penance," replied DR..
Egerton, as he wheeled his chair near his
niece. $50 that is the friend you spoke of
last EVENING""
"Yes, the sweetest, dearest girl you ever
saw, uncle /; / wanted that you should get ac-
quainted with her, SO much"
"Did understand you to say her parents
were poor?"
Yes,--well no,-not so very poor either
but Lima has a very uncomfortable home
Her father is a blacksmith her mother is a
nice enough woman, quite manager, but
she has no refinement. There are four chill
dren beside Lina-Howard, the oldest boy, is
attending the academy he is quite intelligent
they say and succeeds well in his studies
Next comes Maggie; she helps her mother,
and is a very Industrious girl, but SO uncouth
just SO different from Lima. Then there's
Eddie and baby Willie. do pity Lima