Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-07-10

"Will you have the Kfh0ness 70
match this zephyr for me at Brett's?
It's for Lloyd's birthday present, and
baby isn't feeling well, and l dis
like to leave him this afternoon"
Rescuing a torn bit OF paper from
baby Howard's fingers she wrapped it
around the leecy scarf of wool, and
placed it in her friends hand.
by the way, Lena. she said, stoop-
ing to pick up the baby to conceal
her embarrassment, 81 had letter
from Gordon a short time since"
A sudden flush swept into Lena's
face, and in voice which she strove
in vain to make careless and uncon.
serned, she said.--
"He is we'll, hope"
"Yes; and thinks OF going abroad.
lis firm greatly desires that he
should become the resident partner
in Paris. He has nothing to keep
him at home, excepting myself and
Lloyd, and we shall try not to be sell
fish in a matter so greatly to his ad-
vantage"
Five minutes later, Lena was on her
way down the street. Mrs. Alton,
watching her from the window whis-
pered to herself, while look Of deep
interest settled on her face
Gordon was right. She is thor
oughly selfish AMI hcartess, and not
worthy of him. / must give up my
pretty dream. Lloyd says that
matchmaking IS one OF lny fail
ings."
Meanwhile Lena passed on her way
unconscious that on Jhis perfect day
Of all the year nature had turned
spendthrilt. and with reckless hand
was ilinging her wealth of beauty on
odaud plain. The earth was robed
in glory, but Lena, walking like one
ina dream, was conscious only Of the
old. old heart ache; the keen pain 50
long battled with rose in its might
and threatened TO overcome her.
He was going away. The faint hope
which had sustained her these weary,
months was utterly qucnched. He
had never cared for her, she whis-
rcrcd, bitterly, and there was nothing
ltst ior her but the same weary, aim
less. iutolerabe life she had endured
So long. She had deceiyed herself in
these bright, brief days forever gone
10y. 1t was onlya friends glance that
hal met her only flicud's brave,
hopeful words, that had given her
such hope and courage; and in return
shc had given all the wealth OF a
young hearts first love. Clasping
her hands in sudden agony the slip oi
paper fell from her trembling fingers.
As she stopped 10 regain it her glance
fell upon her own name, written in u
handwriting she knew but too we'll {;
and without stopping to think, she
uniolded the paper and read as fol-
lows
Il do love her, Nellie, as never
expect to love again; hut | dare not
trust my liie's happiness in the hands
% one so utterly frivolous and selfish,
| had almost said hcartlcss. 1t gives
me keen pain u write this, but the
truth stands before me, and | must
face it and bear il. There has been a
time when | though she might prove
different; that the slumbering better
nature in her soul would waken 10
new life; but the experience or the
past year has proved my hopes false.
On every hand | hear Of her vanity
and folly, her selishness and hard
heartedness. l gm going away, and
in the new life opening before me l
shall try 10 drive the memory Of Lena
Lyncll from my mind.
Pleasant words for loving, sensi-
tive heart to sean! But in extreme
cases harsh remedies are needed, and
Nellie Alton never did a wiser deed
than when, unwittingly, she placed
that slip of torn paper in her friend
hand.
After the first glow OF Indignation
had subsidel Lena was conscious ola
faint thrill Of JOY minSling with the
keen pain Gordon Gray's words had
caused. He had cared for her,
then, after all; it was her own hand
that had dashed the cup ofjoy from
her lips. II she had only been truo
TO herself how much pain she might
haye been spared; and the old child
look came back into Lena's face, and
the tears rose in her eyes as she
prayed silently, God forgive me, and
help me TO be u better w0man!'
The coveted bracelet had lost its
charm. She was in no mood for
trines. Turning down a side street
she walked on and on beneath the
wnd-stirred trees, until the slanting
rays of the afternoon sun reused her
from her revery. She was on the out
skirts of the village, and right be
fore her stood little house, gray and
unpaintcd, at whose window a young
girl sat before her easel. Mrs. Atoms
description had been so vivid that
Lena had no difficulty in recognizing
in this young artist the heroine OF her
friends story. Opportunity for doing
good had passed 10y hcr one by one
uninprOyed in the olden days; here
was one, and she would not neglect
| il: and in a moment more she was in
PRODUCING herself to the young artist,
and, all her old-time pride forgotten,
chatting with her like an old friend,
winning her confidence, and deyising
means to assist her without wounding
her pride.
There was an irresistible charm
about Lila Burton's manner She
was so thoroughly in earnest in the
pursuit of her life-work, so wrapped
up in the interests Of the dear ones
for whose sake she labored, that Lena
became deeply interested in her, and
when she at last took her departure
the roll Of bills was transferred to the
| nrtict,s Lnnls and Lem hncame The