Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-08-17

| WOTk-fOOm, III was no WOuuBT, peTnhpb,
that Gloucester Lodge seemed almost an
earthly paradise. Julia Derry, the young
est and prettiest of the sisters, was dis
posed to be very gracious to William.
She wore plenty of jewelry and her Co.'S
tune was made IN the latest style. After
supper she stayed and sang several fash
ionable songs, with William standing be-
side her to turn over the music leaves.
1t was very pleasant, he thought, to see
a girl with rings on her white hands, and
without the tcll-tale roughness on the left
fore-finger.
1t was the old, old story. After that
evening spent Mt Gloucester Lodge Will
iam's visits to George street grew rarer
rarer; and little Emily dropped visibly.
1t is not so very hard for a woman to
bear up under life's burdens while she
has the strong prop of mans love to
lean upon. But if the prop breaks it is
well for her If the burdens do not crush
her altogether. Fanny, however, was
not without a certain quiet fOrtitude.
She felt that her prop was giving way
and nervcd herself to do without it.
Fanny" said Mrs. Kennaway, one
evening, as the young dressmaker sat
sewing in her window scat, "you are not
looking well, my child; wish William
would come and take you out. He hasn't
been here very often lately, has he?"
No, mother, not very often"
81 think you are working too hard"
continued the poor woman, signing.
get well very slowly, Fanny, and the
beef tea and port wine cost great deal.
I've made up my mind, child, to write to
my brother at last"
Z" But, mother, you'll be dreadfully dis
tresscd if he doesn't answer And you
have often said that he would never for
give you for marrying poor father"
"Tve been a widow for nearly five
years, Fanny. Surely Steven can bury
the old grievances in my husbands
gravep
"You know best, mother. But father
always spoke of him as hard man"
Well, at any rate, shall make an at
tempt to soften him. Don't try to talk
me out of it, Fanny. l believe it is the
right thing to do"
Fanny held her peace, but she had
| little hope that her uncle Fenwick would
reply to his sisters letter. She knew
that he was rich city merchant, several
years older than her mother, but she had
never seen him, and had founded her
opinion of his character solely on her
fathers dislike to him. The late Mr..
Kennaway had been one of those men
who have natural turn for borrowing
money, and are generally severe on the
friends who refuse to lend. Perhaps
Mrs. Kennaway had taken some pains to
hide the fathers faults from the childs
eyes, for Fanny had never discovered
them.
"Now, Fanny" said honest Mrs.
| Marks, bouncing into the little room,
to-morrow's Saturday, and you are
going to have whole holiday. Every
things planned, so you may leave of
shaking your head. Mary Baker has
promised to come and sit with your
mother. My man and have arranged
to take you right off to Durant Farm,
where my sister lives"
Mrs. Marks and her husband were the
Kennaways' next.door neighbors. They
were childless couple, and instead of
wasting their affections on dogs and
parrots they locked out for young peo.
Pile who needed love and sympathy.
Fanny had no idea they knew all about
her sorrow. She did not realize how
easy it is for shrewd eyes to read the
signs of a sick heart.
Early the next morning hired chaise
ratified out of George street, containing
Fanny and her two friends. OF course il
could not be quite perfect holiday with
out William; but the girl enjoyed fresh
air and rest, and was grateful for kind:
ness. 1t was a long drive, and when they
reached the farmhouse Mrs. Marks de-
clared that Fanny had picked up wonder.
fully. a day or two in the country, she
said, would put little color into those
pale cheeks, and brighten the eyes that
were dull with watching and working.
All, poor Fanny!
Durant Farm stands upon the out
skirts of a wood, which has always been
favorite haunt with picnic parties.
The fates had decreed that the Derrys
should give picnic that day; it was
early in September, and townsfolk
wanted to make the most of the waning
summer. Miss Julia Derry wore an en-
tirely new costume, bought for the occa-
sion, and charming rustic hat adorned
with poppies and wheat ears. 1t was
very agreeable to be admired, even by a
mere merchants clerk, and she lavished
her sweetest smiles on William Parr.
Arm in arm the pair strolled away
from the rest of the party. He talked
nonsense and she laughed and listened,
and led him on, without thought be.
yond the hours amusement. She was
wiser in this worlds ways than foolish
William, whose vanity had been tickled
until he really believed that he had made
a conquest. He was bending down to
his companion, with flushed cheeks and
sparkling eyes, when turn in the path
suddenly brought them face to face with
Mrs. Marks and Fanny Kenaway.
Even then things might have turned
out well, if William had only been true
to himself. But there was Fanny in her
shabby everyday gown, and the bonnet
had gone completely out of fashion; and
there was the superb Julia hanging on
PARIS arm, and quizzing his betrothed
with naughty eyes. The worst part of
the young mans nature came uppermost
at that moment. He gave one quick
glance at Fanny, and then swept on,
without bestowing even a bow of recog
nitIon on the little dressmaker.
"Wellw said Mrs. Marks, drawing a
long BREATH; Il only wonder that the
earth don't open and swallow him up"
II.
Fanny took her lovers desertion in 9
very quiet way. She knew that the enc
had come, and did not try to get any com
fort out of dead hope. When the fire
had gone out she is wise woman who
sets herself to take away the ashes and
clean out the CRATE, even when she knows
her hearthstone will he cold for many q
year afterward. Our little dressmakel
went on sewing and shipping as usual
saying never word about her trouble.
Meanwhile the household burdens were
lightened. Mr.. Fenwick wrote a kline
reply to his sisters letter, and inclosed 4
sum large enough to supply her with al
she required.
You can get yourself new gowI
now, Fanny" said her mother, cheerfully
1t has made my heart ache to see yor
wearing that old gray thing. like my
little girl to be we'll dressed"
Il