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


of prosperous country town. On this
particular Sunday, and contrary to the
usual arrangement, Alice Lahnman, the
contralto, and Arthur Gilbert, the tenor,
sat together on one side of the organist,
Mabel Strickland and Herbert Stacy,
soprano and basso, on the other.
OF these four persons, Alice Lahnman
and Herbert Stacy gave the usual amount
of attention to their duties and nothing
save the small coquetries and whispered
batteries common to voluntary, and per.
haps to other, choirs, interrupted their
enjoyment of their own and their mental
criticism of the others performance.
With Miss Strickland and Mr.. Gilbert
all was different.
Miss Strickland probably could not have
looked plain if she had tried, but she ap-
preached it as nearly to-day as Heaven
had made it possible. In Arthur Gilbert
a change had taken place since his en-
trance into the church, which could not
have escaped the observation of his COM
panions, had they not been entirely taken
up with themselves. His manner then
had been radiant with such a glad, bright
hopefulness that it ought to have been a
pleasure merely 10 look at him. On tax
ing his usual seat beside Miss Strickland,
he had leaned forward and spoken to her
in whisper-an ardent whisper, ii would
have, seemed-received in return the
frigidly spoken and very distinctly audible
monosyllable "No." A hurt and hurried
remonstrance had then been answered by
the lady's crossing over and taking the
seat usually occupied by Miss Lahnman.
Since then she had not glanced toward
him. Amusement sat at first alone upon
his brow; but its place was soon divided
with the Indignation of feeling causelessly
outraged. During the whole service he
waged with himself a terrible warfare.
To leave her to long repentance-bitter
enough he knew it would be-was the
resolution constantly combated by the
better determination to make at least one
attempt to understand her conduct.
At last the service approached its close.
The solemn benedictlon was pronounced
over the bowed heads of the congregation.
The people slowly dispersed. Miss Lain
man paused TO arrange her ribbons, and
to permit Mr. Stacy to join her, if such
should be his pleasure. With downcast
eyes Miss Strickland passed quickly down
stairs, evidently desiring solitude for a
companion. But after thousand strug-
giles with pride, Mr.. Gilbert had con-
quered himself. He met her at the foot
of the stairs, and would have walked be-
side her She paused with decision.
"Do you not intend to allow me to
walk with you, Mabel ~ Mr.. Gilbert
asked, in voice of suppressed emotion
but already he was growing angry again,
81 am much obliged, but prefer to be
alone" said Miss Strickland.
ais it true, then, that you were wound
ed so deeply? Is it possible, Mabel, that
you have not yet forgiven meT'
l have forgiven you so fully" replied
Miss Strickland, slowly and coldly, " that
have forgotten both the offense and the
offender, Be kind enough, if you please,
to let me pass"
He stepped back a little, looking at her
in wonder; but he spoke once more, in a
voice made intense by deep feeling.
"Think one moment, Mabel. Do you
realize what you are doing"
~ quite realize that no gentleman de-
tains lady against her will. When it is
your pleasure to allow me shall be glad
to go on"
"And this is our farewellH"
THAT has already been spoken.
hoped it had been final"
Mr.. Gilbert bowed profoundly and
stepped aside. Her face was an emotion
less mask; but upon his, amazement, pain
and anger were plainly painted.
Before Miss Strickland reaches home a
very few words will throw light upon the
reason-or unreason-of her conduct TO
her betrothed lover.
A lovers quarrel had begun, as such
quarrels usually do, about a trifle. I'M
happily, in this instance, the impetuosity
of the gentleman, irritated by the cold
pride of the lady, had widened the breach
until it had grown to formidable dimen-
sions, each dwelling upon their own par
ticular grievance, and each declining to
take that step that hurts-the first one.
But three or four days passed in this way
had plainly demonstrated TO each how
dear was the bond with which they were
tritling. Miss Strickland waited eagerly
for some token of repentance; Mr. Gill
bert looked anXiously and in vain for a
sign that repentance would be accepted.
But after all, he knew that the initiative
was his part, and, love and generosity
urging him, he took it-in an unfortunate
manner. Detained from church this
morning, he sent to Miss Strickland a
note full of love and magnanimous self
blame; u note that would have touched a
very much harder heart than hers. But
she never received it, Sitting in her
place in the choir, before service, she saw
Joe-the unhappy wight who blew the or
gan-coming up the steps with note in
his hand, and upon his countenance,
shining with the recent application Of
brown soap, look of unusual perturba,
ton. Joe had played Mercury ere this.
Miss Strickland smiled with outward en-
couragement and thrill of secret Joy,
and held out her hand. Joe blushed un-
derneath all his tan and ireckles, became
confused, and stammered something
"Why, is it not for mey" said Miss
Strickland, drawing back her hand as il
she had touched burning coal M
"No, ma'am. This m amt. This il
for-for Miss Lahnman. Mr.. Arthur Gil
bert he sent this N to her."
This was piece Of gratuitous mendac,
ity, caused by Joe's embarrassment. The
note was indeed for Miss Lahnman, for
by an unfortunate coincidence, Joe had
had cOnfded TO his care communication
for each of the two ladies. He had los
! thp nOta for Miss Strickland and aVin &