Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-04-14

They did not stop above three minutes
beside the brook. When they were we'll
out of earshot, Miss Strickland released
her hearing from prison. .. ..... ~. 4
| AT this moment she did not look like a
| proud woman. She sank back listlessly
against the tree near which she had placed
herself, and covered her face with her
hands; few tears trickled Through her
| fingers. All nerveless, her attitude spoke
more eloquently than words. She knew
at last that her hope had not been dead I,
but sleeping, for now its death -throcs rent
her bosom. ....
But effort and resolution accomplish
miracles yet. The days rolled on and
autumn was past; Christmas drew near
| Miss Strickland had long since returned
home, and to herself; she recognized the
fact that the grace and bloom of life were
| gone for her; and also she recognized the
more important fact that life's uses aud
duties remained. The feverish gayety
that had marked her conduct for awhile
was gone In its place shone steadier
| light-the cheerful acceptance of things
as she found them. She went into society
as much as ever; was perhaps more than
ever admired there. And il is certain that
her mother and herself were drawn near
er together than ever before.
In the performance of certain routine
duties Miss Strickland found herself at the
church the day before Christmas eve. The
| ladies of st. James took infinite pride in
their Christmas decorations, and half the
feminine congregation we're gathered on
this occasion, with a slight sprinkling of
the less ornamental but perhaps more eff
clent sex.
Mrs. Grey, the rector's wife, was there
"a little woman, chirrupy as bird, self
important as honey-bee queen; we'll
liked, pretty, and full of suggestions more
poetical than practical. Miss Lahnman
| Joe-the direful spring of woes unnum-
bered-and fifty more, with whom we
have nothing to do.
"Therer' said Mrs. Grey, finally, turn.
ing to the group about her "I think,
at last, that 1t promises to be really beau
| tiful"
All agreed with her. There was quite
a chorus of satisfaction, with some look
ing toward the door, for it was growing
| late.
"There is one thing more that must be
done, however-that certainly must be
DONE" said Mrs. Grey, with her usual
dainty emphatic utterance. Poor Joe's
bench must be furnished up q little. The
cushion must have new material AS is,
it is simply disgraceful."
But, dear Mrs. Grey, what does it
matter? 1t doesn't show" Thus remon-
strated a practical one.
1--WE must not make clean only the out
side of the cup and platter" returned
Mrs. Grey, smilingly, but still feeling her
self the rector's wife. "Mr. Gilbert, will
you loosen the old covering for me?'
i,,H Htntxy Afr
turn upholsterer with much pleasure.
Here is a hammer--heavy, but think
| you can use it." #f
1t strained Mrs. Grey's muscles, and,
you perceive, she thought those of Her.
cules would have been tense beneath the
weight. i
Arthur, laughing, took the weighty af.
fair, averring that he thought he could
WELD it by the exercise of all his strength.
He went up stairs. ''
cor no. Miss Strickland, pray be kind
enough to take him this one. The one he
has has mol don't know the name :
nothing to take out tacks with"
Miss Strickland did not seem to hear
will take it, dear Mrs. Grey" said
Miss Lahnman, with great obi gingness.
But this little lady always preferred her
| own arrangements, however trivial.
NO" she answered :" 1 want your
sweet taste about the placing of the Gala
lilies. You will oblige me, Miss Srick
land, will you not?'
:" will take it to Mr.. Gilbert, since
you wish it," said Miss Strickland, not
without annoyance. ,.
"Thank you. Come, Alice, my dear.
Joe, come and help me lift the vases"
Miss Strickland walked up the steps
very slowly. She hoped that MIR. Gilbert S
task would be accomplished before she
could reach the top. For, in addition to
other objections, she felt her errand rath.
er ridiculous. .u...-
But he did really experience some vex-
atious hindrance through lack of the
proper instrument, and was swearing a
little, very softly and unconsciously, un-
der his breath, when Miss Strickland
said, just beside him:
Here is better hammer, Mr.. Gill
bert. Mrs. Grey told me to bring ii to
you"
Thank you," he answered, coldly.
81 am much obliged to Mrs. Grey, and
of course TO you, also, Miss Strickland" :"
mot at all to me. | would not have
brought it but that she insisted"
1t was only about hammer and piece
of green cloth. But so oddly is life com
pounded that this was the most overpow-
erng moment of their lives. Never since
that fatal Sunday had they stood one mo-
ment alone together. Never since then
had either spoken one voluntary sentence
to the other. / have not the art to tell all
that filled their hearts as they stood silent.
For silently they did stand a moment.
Miss Strickland had tried to turn and
| go down stairs again, but her head was a
| little giddy, and, raging at herself for her
unnecessary agitation, she still found it
would be wisdom to remain an instant
where she was.
Mr. Gilbert did not glance toward her
again. He was afraid to do so. She
stood so near himl Her dress touched
him. That meaningless contact thrilled
to his very soul. He, too, called himself
a fool, and invoked inaudible anathemas
upon himself. But his heart was one
wild pain lie took the hammer she had
! brought, lifted it with unnecessary force I;
and brought 1t down-upon his own fin
gers,
"Ohp cried Miss Strickland. 1t was
hardly more than breath, but the tender
| monosyllable, surprised from her lips,
spoke so much She stretched out her
hand instinctlvely, AMI drew it back with
/ u pdlulul DluSHs
at is no matter" said Arthur at did
not hurt me-" And indeed he scarcely
felt it.
He used the hammer once more, with
better effect, loOsening an odd, rough
| looking piece of wood that held the faded
cloth. The cloth fell down, and a little
cloud of dust rose. Something rustled
and fell on the floor at his feet.
"Ahl" said he, there is an old letter
How long has it been there, l wonderY 1t
is yellow with age" He was thankful to
the letter for being there, 1t gave him
something 10 say.
But it was only with dust it was yellow,
Eight months had it lain there, holding its
| little secret against the time of disclosure
And the time had come. He glanced at
the address, and saw, in his own hand
writing, Mabel's name. lie opened the
note without speaking.
| don't suppose II ever did really hap.
pen that mans heart stood still-until IL
| stood still fOTeyer-or that mans living
blood ran ice. But ice and fire seemed in