Richland beacon., 1875-07-24

in any emer -ency. They arrived in
time for the train, and as EvaLyn
Norton stepped on the platform, a
pair of loving arms were thrown
around her and rosy lips kissed a
welcome.
The meeting was subducd, for the
deep Grape of her cousins dress re-
pressed the words that rose to Lclia's
lips.
The cousins had separated at the
beginning of the war-tncy were at
tending the same school in Virginia,
but the unsettled times caused their
return to their respective homes.
There was much to relate that had
transpircd during their separation,
and it was late ere they yielded to
WEAKNESS. Eva. touched lightly on
her recent loss the wounds were too
deep to admit Of consolation, Yet the
earnest sympathy and carc-sin-
fondness Of Leila was very dear to
the heart-sick, dcsolate giTl
Eva, would yon mind staying
alone awhile this evening" | want
to mail some letters; Joe is busv-or
would YOU prefer going to mama,s
room ?"
NO, no. Leila, | don't mind it at
all-i,decd will try and 20 TO sleep,
my head feels quite heavy
Il will not be gone long, and hope
to bring you letter" Leila closed
the blinds and noislessly left the
room.
1t was beautiful fairv-lke figure
that emerged from the broad avenue
of cedar's leading from the beautiful
home of DR.. LOrimcr. Long blond
curls fell below the dainty waist, and
dark brown laShes shaded the violet
eyes, ever changing in expression and
varying in hue when filed with diff
fercnt emotions.
She was a merry laughing sprite, s"
seemed only formed for love and hap
pness, unfit to cope with adverse
winds, and depending with clinging
tenderness on others for support.
Yet beneath the gayety and gentle
ness Of her exterior were deep wells
of untried furtitude and abncgation
Should the time of trouble come and
the dark cloud of adversely threaten
TO engulf those she loved, the little
feet would tread bravely the rugged
path, and the loving heart would
amclioratc the woes it could not stay
"Lemme do Sis, be dood" and a
little brother of four, came running
, toward her throwing aside the bail
with which be had been playing
, But George, your face is not clean;
run and let Betsey wash it, | will
wait if you will hurry"
"Yes, me hurry-me be back in
mint :" and the little fellow toddled
off as fast as his short fat legs would
| allow, falling over flower box in his
, haste.
Where 90 doin' down town? Les
t buy some tandy." Holding Lelia's
= hand George skippid contentedIy by
e her side.
r | am going to the post Office and
try to get letter from papa and
= Eddie"
"When my papa tommin' home
/ He been done four, five, seven years.
"Not quite so long as that, though
s it does seem a long time" said Leila
t signing.
|. isis, wish l was a dreat big oil
man, ike-like-Goliah Yes Ike
: Goliah. l would kill all the YANKEES
r eUery one, then my papa tome home
v "But George, Goliah was killed
r himself. How would you like that p
"But you see l wouldn't fight will
h., rocks"
e Leila laughed outright at the con
e yincing air with which he gave thi.
is assurance.
e After receiving her mail Lelii
turned away, but a thought seemed
n to strike her, for she paused, and
c, with an amused smile lighting he
IS face, she inquired for Cecile Burness
/! To her surprise letter was handet
1T her; she looked at the superscription
,e the plain bold hand pleased her; sh
b put it in her pocket, and calling he
lg brother hurried home.
n Eva had awakened and refreshe
be by her nap she had joined the famil
" in the parlor. Leila fingered until a
re the letters were read, then went t
n. her room to remove her hat an
nd gloves, and read her letter; she close
" the door and broke the seal she rea
W it carefully-it was manly and gent
i'll inc; she liked the signature CIaud
:" Raymond.
at Leaning her head on her hand.
ne she mentally recalled the manly fgur
and handsome face she had seen
We the boX-car on that memorable dav-
wv indeed she had often thought of biz
its with a hope that she would some da
nix meet him; but that he would eve
it write she had never entertained a
bit, idea. A girlish freak induced her
as attach the card to the bouquet, an
we after watching Claude for some tin
we she threw him the flowers. I'll
us letter pleaded for speedy reply; 81
,er hesitated long. Would he not thin
gh her unmaidenly to write to stranger
cid "But l know he is gentleman an
he won't know me any way; it wi
is help to kill time, besides being plea
ant.
lie Weknow how it ended, but Lei
to kept her secret, not even to Eva d
lev she disclose it.
.ho Leila, l have letter from Harol
no Hear what he says"
der Tell Miss Leila my friend, Cal