Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-08-15

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/ Quite ignorant OF her neighbor's
scheming, Mrs. Hunt also had her
pet views for Mr.. Chartrand in con
nectlon with cousin of her own
one of those well-trained, lovable wo-
men who redeem the name of single
lite from dishonor. With some diff.
hculty she succeeded in arranging a
visit from her at the time when her
husbands partner was expected "A
sunshlny, available guest, who never
dreamed of the fate she went to meet,
Grace Pendleton was domesticated
among them two or three weeks pre-
vIous, and between herself and Helen
Erland had sprung mp sudd. N, i'm
petuons friendship, of the sort ID
which men smile disdainlully, but
which is as genuine almost as any
love passion they awaken.
A rich, healthtnl nature, develop
ing in the sheltered warmth Of pros.
perity, as few can be said to, Grace
/ Pendleton fascinated the rather NOR
bid, but ardent and lovely woman
who had missed the sphere for which
she felt herself peculiarly fitted. The
gorgeous missal of life was opened to
them at vastly different passages, but
they talked together of the lights and
shadows that had fallen on it's leaves,
and the intimacy of a few days
spanned the gulf of busy years in
their acquaintance. They were not
school girls, therefore Miss Erland
never referred to her love passage
with Philip Chartrand, aud the other.
of course, did not suspect it.
Down the long drawing room she
came to meet the last arrival of VS.
itors, on the Thursday alluded to,
fair and queenly in blue silk and deli
cate laces, while Mrs. Griswold eve
ing Miss Pendleton keenly was salts
fed that her sister was no less attract
i've that night. As if the past had
yielded back at least the reflection OF
her first loneliness, Helen Erland
| flushed beneath the scarlet blossoms
in her hair, and moved so gracefully
in her shimmering, gossamer robes,
all noticed how finely she appeared.
By and by the two friends stood
together in recess opening out to
the conservatory, but visible from the
main parlor, and fitted up with pic
lures and statnary of the choicest
description. They made pretty
tableau which one of the company
chose to examine more closely, and
with smiling remark to that effect,
Mr.. Chartrand joined them and was
introduced to Mss Erland.
'Middle-aged!' there was no deny
ing the fact, and because neither
recognized in the other the portrait
in which Memory had sketched the
original, their talk was tree and UNI
embarrassed. They were strangers
in spite Of the dead dream between
them it remained to be seen if there
were affinities strong enough to unite
them now. ra 4....
Miss Pendleton soon mingled with
the guests around, and the obseryant
glance of Mrs. GriswoId assured her
that the tete-a-tete. slightly prolonged,
was animated and interesting to the
pair remaining. Possibly sigh of
satisfaction escaped her, the past
week had been very exciting even to
her, her designs would eliminate 10
success or failure speedily, and as
conscience had persistently held 10
reserve a vague sense of wrong-doing,
she was anxious to see things rightly
adjusted at last. .3
1t is so easy for people to believe if
the effect of their own misdeeds is
counteracted, that the balance is nice
ly settled to their account. Among
the liveliest of the gay group who
welcomed Mr.. Chartrand to his ma
tive shores, that gentleman knew moi
which to admire most; the two sis.
tiers were charming, bnt very unlike.
The cordial invitation to renew his
former acquaintance with the family
was gladly accepted, and again Helen
Erland drifted into the circle of an
influence she had never really shaken
off.
The short winter days hurried by;
the business and pleasure which rise
up with the sun, whether we will or
no, marked them distinctively. and it
became evident that of the hosts who
claimed his regard, the choice of a
wife lay between Grace Pendleton
and Helen Erland Doubtless the
consciousness of her steadfast, patient
devotion to her single ideal, led the
more timid woman to conceal behind
the screen OF excessive reserve
tenderness which its objecs never
probed. But for the first time, Grace
Pendleton was made captive. and
when a triie betrayed her secret,
Philip ChaItrane asked her to become
his wife.
Are you disappointed? So was
Mrs. Griswold when the news came
to her ears, but she carried it gently
as might be to one whom it concern
ed most deeply. M
The saddest tragedies of life are
rehearsed when tie doors of the soul
are shut we will not force them open
even in Imagination, just as much
work for the spiritless hands; just as
much trivial thought for the head 50
tired with aching, remained when
Helen Erland's last vision persisted,
as she found to her regret.
In higher and boiler, if in thorny
paths, the good Hand of Providence
guided her future course. Like al
who seek in earnest, she was made
useful worker, serene, if not joy
ful woman. a.aa
But for Mrs. Griswold's sin was
there any apology or PREPARATION pos
sible? And yet it was but a trifling
deed, though the sequel OF a life
turned upon that tiny hinge.