Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-04-27

ing out; and then her presence added
ten-told to their comfort. rs JOY and
peace seemed to follow in her footsteps,
and her sunny. disposition. as Il golden
beam of soft and mellow light, shone as
Il bright halo around them, bcautifying
the circle OF their home. cannot blame
the mother for clinging to the sweet
spirit, which ditiused. with softened us-
tire, such wealth of love into their
hearts. But after due reflection upon
the subject, Mrs. Maynard saw how sell
fish were the motives that prompted her
to keep her daughter at home. and she
was almost determined to do this, even
though it opposed dher chlds interests.
Then she remembered what an intense
longin. Lima always had had to 60
abroad, and that it would be cruel, in
deed, to impede the action of her brave
resolve by opposing her. On the con-
trary, she felt that rather than dishearten
Lima. she ought to encourage her, and
decided, at last, to give her free consent
to her daughters going, though it was
with 4 bitter struggle that she SO settled
this question; and how true these words
seemed to her, how fully she understood
their meaning: Hopes are iallacles."
| Disappointment is the only certainty of
life; and it was, undoubtedly, disap-
pointment to be separated from her for
another year. and just when they had
thought to keep her with them. Mrs.
Maynard felt what this going from home
would be; she knew it would subject
! Lima to the stern and actual realities OF
life, such as she had never known be-
fore. and she feared that these conflicts
would bear too heavily upon the tender
and sensitive nature of her daughter.
| She tclt, also. that Lima. in taking her
self from under the protection and Solic-
tude of her father, would have to rely
upon herself for support. and though she
well knew that her daughter possessed
great self-rellancc, she tremblcd for c1
safety.
She thought, however. that it would
be best, in this affair, to let Lima make
her own decision. Knowing every trait
of her noble nature--her general and ha-
bitual tirmness-she believed that Lima
would meet every difficulty that might
arise with undauutcd courage; and Lima
LEFT to decide for herself -nccepted d
| Mrs. Ainsworth's offer, and. according
to promise, wrote to her Immediately af-
ter consulting her parents. The thought
| Of parting with her sister so soon was a
painful reflection. indeed, to Agnes. for
| she was deeply attached to her. and be-
side this, all the lonely hours that she
had spent during her absence rose up
before her, glowing enough, and she
remembered. too, how, in those mo-
ments. she longed for the pure, sympa-
thizing love of that sister
Now that she was going away again,
she would have to return to her books
and flowers with renewed cngrgy, for
these were her sole companions when
Lima was away.
More than once after it was settled
fact that her sister was going. did Az
nes steal up to her room, and, locked in
and alone, cry herself to sleep.
In regard to her trouble with Tracy,
Lima breathed not one word to any one
not even her mother. Now that these
were things OF the past, and she would
probably never lay eyes on him again,
she thought it unnecessary TO disturb her
mothers mind with what she could not
help. She resolved not to tell her pa
rents-at least for the present, for she
knew it would pain them exceedingly
should they imagine that she had suf-
fercd from the hands of that bad man :;
and, in conjunction with this, she felt
that they would never be willing tor her
to leave home again, as, during her abb
sence, they never once thought of her
as being alone and triendless. but thought
of her as being surrounded by every
thing that makes one happy and con-
tented.
| Often Lima would murmur. on her
bended knees, that she did not wish to
deceive her parents, but she felt that
necessity compelled her to make an en-
tire sacrifice of all that was nea- and
dear to her. and she felt, also. that one,
in her dependent condition, might ex-
pect to meet difficulties, for lie is made
up of them. And she said:
And so long as the pressure of these
are endurable, will I bear them; and, II
possible, untlinchingly for many women
more worthy than | am, have to brave
the ceaseless roar of the angry waves
that wash the storm beaten shores OF
life. and why not let me battle, too, with
those courageous ones who are strug-
Cling on the turbid sea, that |, like many
of them. may win the bright reward OF
the faithful and untring."
Here Lima was interrupted by the en-
trance of two of her friends. Rose Grant
and Lulu Davenport, and before she
could seat them. Lulu exclaimed:
Lima, come; let's take a walk, this
bright morning, for feel that it would
be sin to stay IN doors-it would be
downright mprisonment-and believe
that should die if l We're not permitted
to refresh my soul in the breeze and
sunshine"
Lima went to her room, donncd her
walking suit, and returning to the par
lor, pronounced herself ready. In few
moments the happy trio left the house
and were vending their way. with ligh,
and buoyant steps, over the grassy sward
Situated on the brow of Diamond Hill,
which was near, were several handsome
residences, one of which. in his more
prosperous days, belonged to MIR. May.
nard. Here he would, with his family
spend the winter months. in order thai
his daughters might take advantage o
those pleasures which the restrictions o.
country life, in winter. preclude. Some
how Lima could never pass that place
without an inclination TO enter its inclo
, sure, and walk through the beautifully
LAID off grounds; but the place, having
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