Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-07-01
WISCONSIN, THURSDAY, JULY /. 1890

! Il
Il do not II you had no. come
you could never have been convince,
that it was not wise thing. If yo,
had never tried this life, you woult
never have been contented after Blu
onarotti had fred your ambition
Perhaps not. Do you ever hea
from Stephen ?
Mrs. Thaxter leaked up in pleased
surprise; she understood Lottie'l
meaning better than The girl had in
tended she should.
No, my dear, | write very few
letters Why do you not write t.
him? Remember his message
| Il don't like TO- answered Lottie
her face covered with bushes. II
seems like-like begging him to mar
ry me-
Not at all. Don't be too proud to
acknowledge an error, and so lei
pride ruin your life! 1t was your
own decision that separated you
two
A little more thought, little more
persuasion from Mrs. Thaxter, and
Lottie decided to write. She knew
that he was still in his old home and
still unmarried, for she had one OF
two correspondents in her native
town, and young DR.. Liscomb' was
too important a person there for such
an event as his marriage 10 remain
unchronicled.
The letter, an honest confession oil
her mistakes, of her WEAKNESS even
now of the life she had chosen, and
of her desire to forget it and be for
given, was sent the very next day.
In about month she could reasona-
bly, expect reply; but, unreasona.
bly, perhaps, she expected to see him
instead.
Two months passed, three, four,
and no reply came.
| am sorry you and |, mother, put
so much faith in Stephens professions
of undying love- said Lottie, after
nearly five months of weary waiting.
But | suppose | must not blame him
for inconsistency ; it is not only wom-
en- who are fickle.'
perhaps he never got the letter,
suggested Mrs. Thsxter, Hadn't
you better write again, or let me
write p
No indeed, no more letters to him
He did get it, for Emily Sargent was
at his house visiting his sisters when
the letter came ; she recognized my
writing, SO she wrote me, and was
surprised that neither Mary nor Ella
did ; they laid it on his writing. ia
BILE, wondering who was his foreign
correspondent. Let's go back to
New York, l can easily get engage
ments in choirs and concerts; and l
would rather be Sc led in home
even if it is onl- Oecomilrooms-in my
own land. Yo complainy will be con
tented there wiliZ. thekot?'
Mrs. Thaxter wa II artily rejoiced
at Lottie's decisionl }he bad never
been SO blinded wiz. bright hope.
that she could look forward, without
distaste, to the Bohemian life of an
opera or concert, two days here, a
week there, never home anywhere
As soon as Lottie announced her
intention of not prosecuting her stage
studies further, her teacher, finding
that it was not idle talk, gave her
such fine letters and recommendations
that she Immediately got an engage.
ment in an excellent choir, and also,
for she could sing as we'll as she was
advertised to do, was in constant
demand for concerts, not only in
New York city, bat in any and ev
cry other.
Three months after her return, she
one night saw Stephen Liscomb at a
concert; he was sitting but a short
distance from the stage, and little
Blanche Russell was with him. For
second it seemed as if she could
not open her mouth to sing but her
will was strong, and there was no ev-
ident hesitation. She returned Ste
phen's gaze as calmly as if he was a
marble statue, but her heart was
beating violently. As they were re-
turning home that night, she told
her mother whom she had seen, and
added
4 wonder # they will call on us.
Il hops not. | have no desire to
see either of them, answered Mrs
Thaxter, spi;efully.
'Why not?' was the wondering
| question.
4 may as well tell you you'll be
sure to hear it some way /; those two
are engaged replied the mother
with kindly brevity.
How did you hear it p asked Lot.
tie, after a moments silence.
Il met Blanche on the street this
afternoon, and she told me. She i,
the last person | should have thought
he would choose
| Lottie made no reply, and the sub
ject was dropped.
The next day Stephen and Blanche
called. While they were in Mrs
Thaxter's parlor other visitors en-
tered, and during the hum of con
versation Lottie said, IN a low tone
4 believe, DIR. Liscomb, that yoI
are subject for congratulations
L? Oh, you mean my engage
ment.'
Yes, Blanche is sweet, prett,
creature just the words to apply t
the little, fair, blue.eyed girl witt
rosy cheeks and dimpled chin, bu
not one bit OF expression or charac
ter in her face and you will doubt
less be perfectly happy with Dora for
wife and helpmeet.
'Dors!' repeated literal Mrs. Thax
ter, who heard only the last words
Her name isn't Dora its Blanche
How forgetful you are, Lottie =
No, mamma | have an excellen
memory
So had Stephen Liscomb. He re
membered his own sharp criticisms
on the child. life when he was read
ing David Copper6eld' aloud to Lot
tie, just before Buonsrotti came t.
disturb their peace. But he must no
sit in silence aud hear his affianceC
bride derided; be fastened to say
Dora had, as Blanche hss,s warm
loving heart, true heart, and that il