Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-02-16

could compose herself sufficiently t., pass
lew commonplace remarks, but /. WAS
only tor little while, for she found Mr.
Morton decidedly pleasant companion;
AMI. .bti"re she Was aware OF i, they wr,.
IN such an animated conversation a. to
attract tii.' aiteutionUi those around ,h. IN
Lima was Il brilliant talkrr-quick, YER
'at''e aud entertaining. aud Mr.. Morton
was very learned; and in addition to his
reading he had Travelled over nearly the
whole world.and his memory was q vas.
storehouse. filled with the rich and
aoundanttreasures he had gathered from
time to time.
1he supper bell rang. and Mr.. Morton
offered bis arm to Lima, while Tracy
Ayrie graciously asked Clara if he could
nave the honor OF taking her out, while
Mr. Dupont, driven to desperation by an
overwhelming conflict OF ideas. crept
out and went his way alone and silently.
he wanted to do what politeness re.
CURED OF him. by paying his respects to
Mrs. Morton. but significant look from
ms amIabie better-half annihilated him
so completely that he lett that honor to
her. and took himself out with q sense of
relief, knowing what storm he had
avoided by his wise conclusion.
Supper passed off 50 pleasantly that
every one seemed to ENJOY it. To Lima
1t was very agreeable. and was the frst
meal that she could say she had really
enjoyed since she left her own dear
home. When supper was over. Lima did
not return to the library. though Mr..
Morton pressed her to do SO but she left
him, and fled to her own room, to have
it all out by herself before Clara came up;
Tor the terrible pain. the misery which
she suffered while at her SISTERS s threat.
ened to return tonight. So then, in the
solitude Of her room, where no eve but
the All-Seeing One. was near, Lima knelt
and prayed.a pleading. .beseeching pray
er, ono that must have been heard and
answered. for when she arose from her
knees, all traces of her recent agitation
had disappeared. and she was her own.
calm self again. As it was late, Clara
did not come to Lima until she was al
ready to G" below.
Ihe company was pouring in. and the
merry voices. music and laughter. .aosted
out on the soft evening air, was borne
upward through its eloquent hush.
Lima. sat alone in the receding twi-
light. ,hinkingo ofa sine when she would
nave had the rightly every law of socl-
rty, to participate in the pleasures of this
evening; but it was different now.
Il am here she was interrupted BY
The entrance of Clara.
What! Not dressed yst?" exclaimed
Clara.
Uariing. you forget that I am only =
yoverness here, and have no right to
share IN the amusements of this eve
ming"
This was said with more bitterness
than Lima chose to reveal, and she con.
tiuued:
Mrs. Dupont did not think 1t worth
while TO remember In regard to it, not
even so much so as to let me know any.
thing of it; all that knew about 1t was
what Minnie told me. So you see, Clara,
cannot. according to your wish. be
with you tonight You know me of old,
and that my natural pride would never
permit me to impose myself upon any
one. So, unless Mrs. Dupont specially
demands my presence. to act as musi-
clan. shall not go down."
Here Clara stamped her pretty little
foot In rage: and said:
That woman is SO hateful and selfish;
| do believe could almost kill her. I
will not 60 down without you. l will
spite her that much. If you. dear Lima,
are not good enough to make an ap-
pearance in her assembly, I'm sure am
not" and with this. Clara, needless of
crumpling the folds of her elegant dress,
sat down by Lima. and laid her head in
her lap, and began conversation about
olden times. 1t was in vain that Lima
begged her not to do this; but she re-
manned immovable. 1t was thus, few
minutes after. that Mr.. Morton found
them. With his keen perception he read.
lily guessed the situation of affairs, and
was angry and disappointed himself, tor
he had taken an interest in Lima, and
had promised himself some pleasure du-
ring the evening from her society. He
prevailed on Clara, however, to 90 down
with him. He was proud Of the girl,
and told her that many OF her friends
were asking Tor her. and she must not
disappont them. So she kissed Lima,
and went with him; and Lima was glad,
truly glad, that she did, for. soon after,
she heard the clear. ringing laugh OF her
friend, and. tor the time, she knew that
her troubles were forgotten, and she was
happy. She locked out upon the night,
so lovely in its creation, and wondered
why So much sin could exist within. while
without. everything. even to the very
breath which We innale, is 50 pure The
tall moon shone IN glory all its own;
the earth. looking upward, caught the
radiance OF its countenance. and drew 1t
downward. until its brightness reflected
iustre over all the sleeping world.
Lima. unable to suppress desire with.
in her 10 enj"y, tor while. the lowell.
ness wh'ch Intoxicated. as it were, her
very soul. taking her guitar, stole
quietly down the back stairs, out into
the garden. walking rapidly along un.
til she gained the summer-house, then
she sat down, and with trembling fingers
touched the chords Of her instrument.
which echoed back soft. sweet strains of
low and perfect melody. Lima knew not
how long she had been thus engaged
when shadow tell across her path, and
ooking up. she saw Tracy Myrle stand
ng before her.
ITO be continued ]