Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-02-19
LUCY AND ESTHER.

with delicate blossoms. Wreathed around
her window. The face thus daintily
framed was an attractive one, though
not regularly beautiful. Its charm lay
in the large gray eyes, changing with
each passing emotion, and In the red,
delicately cut lips. She was evidently
watching for some one. Several minutes
passed; then she pushed aside the
vines and gracefully waved her hand
kerchief.
Soon an answering signal floated from
q small house, separated from Lucy's
home by q piece of meadOw-land and
by large, old-fashioned garden, bright
with flowers.
A young girl soon left the cottage
and came slowly across the dew-wet
grass.
When she reached the garden, mind
less of the eager eyes watching her so
impatiently, she took off her coarse
sun-hat and plucked some long, trailing
sprays to wind about it, adding a cluster
of vivid scarlet flowers, and, fastening a
companion knot at her throat, she for
the first time looked toward the window
and smiled.
Gust like you, E38ie," broke forth
Lucy, impatiently. $50 cool and quiet.
Do hurry. I've something to tell you"
A moment later and the girls were in
Lucy's room together.
"I'm so happy, and I've longed for
you all the morning to tell you the good
news. Harry is to be here tomorrow.
Isn't it splendid?"
eyes, for you" said Esther, quietly.
"Why, Essie," said Lucy, reproach-
fully, "isn't my pleasure yours? And
I've another piece of news which may
arouse Queen Esther from her indlfer-
ence.-Gertie Tremaine is to give a
picnic party, and wishes me to bring as
many ladies as / choose. She expects
several gentlemen, and wants plenty of
pretty country girls to help entertain
them. She might search far and wide
to equal-somebody," she added,
fondly.
ct is very kind ofyou TO think of me.
but | cannot go. | have nothing to
wear" said Esther, slowly.
Lucy's face colored for moment,
then she said, brightly:
'We are Just the same height. You
can wear one of my dresses-my white
muslin, if you like. Now you must not
say no. am very wilful, and always
have my way"
Impulsive Lucy was the only child Of
the most influential family in the vii
lage.
Esther was the daughter of q widow
ed mother, and had mere pittance
upon which to live.
Nature delights in such anomalies.
Esther wore the white muslin, but she
would not use a borrowed ornament,
and made her appearance among the
young people looking like sylvan god
dess: she had wound myrtle wreath,
dotted with bright scarlet berries, in
aud out among the glossy waves of hair,
which fell in flowing ringlets far below
her waist.
A similar wreath fastened at her right
shoulder, was caught at her left side and
wound around her slender waist, then
suffered to fall upon her white drapery.
The gentlemen voted her the belle of
the party.
Lucy's cousin Harry, arrived in time
to attend, and, much to her delight, de-
voted himself to Esther.
II was happy day to the unselfsh
girl, when, near the close of her cousins
visit, lie told her that his heart had
chosen her beautiful friend for its mis-
tress, and she had promised to be his
wife.
He pleaded for an early marriage-day,
and as Esther's simple preparations
were soon made, there was quiet we'd
ding, and Lucy's friend became her
cousin.
Soon after this Lucy lost her father
and mother, and was left quite an
heiress.
The Trevor estate, with its rich wood
land and meadows, was hers, and ten
thousand pounds In ready money. In
her af1liction the tie between her cousin
Harry and herself became even strong
er than before.
He brought Esther to stay with her
during the first dreary day which fol-
lowed her loss, and before he returned
to his business again they talked over
his prospects and took counsel together
He had been offered partnership in
a large firm, but could not accept, as
he had no capital.
Take my money. Harry. do not
need IT," said Lucy.
Il would hardly like to run the risk"
he answered, hesitatingly; but it was
tempting offer to the struggling young
man, and his cousin urged it upon him.
GOD bless you, Lucy" he said at
last. "You are too good to me; but I'll
make it pay you we'll. I'll give you ten
per cent. on every penny. So, after all,
you will not lose by it."
Lucy knew very little about business.
She would have lent it to Harry with
out any interest Just as quickly, but ne
would not take it on any other terms.
Her old wilfulness asserted itself
not receiving any security, and her
money passed into Harry's possession.
From this time his good fortune COM
men 3ed. He became rapidly wealthy,
and built an elegant country house,
about two miles from Trevor Hall.
In time children came to him, and
Lucy's home was ever opening its hOspI-
table doors to them.
Little Hal was Lucy's favorite; but
she loved and welcomed the others, and
they returned her affection four-fold.
Esther's stately beauty was much ad-
mired, and she queened it right royalty
in society; but Lucy was the favorite.
even as IN the old times when she
caused its charmed precincts to open to
the young girl with no power but her
pretty face.
Lucy was the lady bountiful of the
village. Her little phaeton could be seen
almost every day stoppingat the door