The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-07-02
ONLY A sFACTORY GIRL.v

ONLY A ssFACTORY GIRL"
Lena Chairman sat in her cosy little
room by the open window, dreaming
over letter she had just finished read
ing. while the fragrance of roses was
waited in by the fresh morning breeze,
and the sweet notes of far-away robin
echoed over the meadows.
A soft. tender light had found its way
into her clear, blue ewes, and brought a
flush of happiness to her fair face; for
her letter was from Ronald Kershaw-
bright, handsome, brilliant Ronald-who
would not love him?
And to think that out of all the gay,
pretty, stylish young ladies III the little
village, he had selected this little pure
tinted flower upon which to bestow his
time and attention through the short,
feeting summer; and when he went
away he had pressed his lips tenderly,
reverently, to her white hand, and whis-
pered: ST will write you letter in Sep
tember, dear Lenap'
And now September had come, and he
had written--a long, long letter, full of
love and tenderness. and asking her, at
its close, to be his wife.
It seemed SO strange, so unusual to
the poor, lonely little girl, that she could
scarcely believe it. It could not be pos
sible that he loved herl
Why, Ronald was wealthy and tai
ented, and oh! SO noble and handsome
perfect prince in Fairy-land" he had
seemed to her, and she was only the
daughter of poor, Woodworking me-
chanic! Surely it was a jest!
But no, she could not doubt his sin
cerity, with that dear letter lying open
before her, its sweet message of love al
ready driving the dark clouds from her
life's horizon, and it's tenderness and
rapture stealing down into her heart.
moonlit veranda. Elmer Crawford had
whispered the same sweet story in her
ear, and, though she did not love him,
she had almost whispered eyes" for oh!
she was SO weary of being poor, so tired
of this shabby -genteel" way of living!
She did SO long for a beautiful home and
all the rare luxuries of life, and Elmer
was richie could give her all these.
So she had almost said ssyes," when,
suddenly, something seemed to whisper,
sswaitp' and the words had died on her
lips, and she had promised to give him
his answer on Sunday.
And, now, she was just sure that it was
her ssgood angel" that had told her to
wait, for here was this letter from Ronald,
and she was so glad she had not said
Eyes" to Elmer.
s'Poor Elmerw she murmured, happi-
ness and sadness struggling for victory
within her heart. sHe will be so disap-
pointed-but, Oh! I can't marry him
noaoP And then happiness won the bat
tie and brought the warm, tender light
back to her eyes.
And, in the gradual waning of that
bright September day, she wrote back
her answer-her little, shy. trembling,
happy answer-and, ere she dropped it
her ipsAfor Ronald was her first love,
and her very thoughts of him were
sacred.
She counted the days that must elapse
before she could possibly receive another
letter almost three weeks! What long,
long time it seemed! And then there was
Elmer! How she dreaded for Sunday to
come; and, when at last it did come, she
heard the little gate click, her heart beat
so swiftly she could scarcely breathe.
"Dear Lena" he said, ..is my answer
ready? Tell me now, darling, for can
not wait any longer. Surely, it is YES
or you would not have kept me waitingp
It was harder to tell him, after that,
but she gathered up her courage, and
managed to make him understand that it
could never be-that her heart was not
her own, to give.
s'And do you mean to say" demanded
Elmer, passionately, '.that you intended
to give me this answer, when you told
me to wait did you love another
then 2"
eyes," said poor Lena. brayely, 1T
loved another then, but I did not intend
to say mo- I would have said yes, be-
cause you are rich, and am tired of be-
ing poor. But now, her voice faltered,
for she dreaded to cause him pain, '.it is
all changed now, for lam engaged to
the man love"
Just for moment, Elmer was silent,
his face revealing passion and anger;
then he came step nearer.
.'WiH you tell me his name ?" he
asked.
eyes, said Lena, looking up, and un-
consciously smiling in her happiness,
ssit is Ronald Kershaw!"
Again Elmer was silent for moment;
then he held out his hand.
Farewell, Lenar' he said sadly, ST
have loved you fondly and faithfully,
and I eTngs will. IF ever you need q
friend Ee to me. God bless you and
may you be happy! Farewell" !"
And Lena was left alone in the twi-
light.
ssBut mamma, said Lena Chairman in
a quiet but decided voice, there is moth
ing else for me to do, SO it is perfectly
useless to talk about it now. I have
secured the situation, so, for Heavens
sake, let us make the best of it
ssBut the idea of working in factoryT
sobbed Mrs. Chairman so, Lena, why
didn't you marry Elmer when he asked
you? What do you suppose Ronald Ker-
shaw will say to this-do you think he
will marry factory girl"
Lena's face grew scarlet for moment,
and the tears trembled in her eyes, but
she forced them proudly back, and
bravely returned her mothers reproach-
full gaze.
Mamma" !" she said calmly and stead
lily, s.if Ronald will think any the less of
me because am compelled to work in
factory to support my mother and my
self, will be glad to find it out before I
married him. For,. ). and her eyes dilated
and grew suddenly dark with passion, ssif