, 1880-05-17
Only a Filtration.

Night had settled on the quiet vii
,ace of s.. The sun had sunk be-
hind the surrounding hills, and the
town clock on the church had struck
the hour of ten. Only here and there
pedestrian was seen on his homeward
way, or strolling idly along enjoying
the cool breeze of an autumn night.
Somewhat secluded from the more
inhabited part of the village stood one
of those vine-covered cottages that po-
cts rave about, and the careworn man
of business dreams of. The garden
which surrounded it was filed with
fragrant flowers while summer lasted; !;
but now only a few fall roses graced
the deserted beds. The moon shone
brightly on couple who we're stand
ing at the gate of this rustic garden.
They were apparently lovers; yet the
set teeth and determined air of the man,
the pale face and shrinking attitude of
the maiden, denoted that something
more than usual was taking place. Was
it a lovers quarrel? The moon
stopped to listen to what they said.
The man spoke first.
"You must forget me. 1 am not
worth remembering, nor the foolish
words may have spoken. 1t was on
Iy little filtration, you know-very
pleasant while it lasted; but then all
such things must come to an end"
And he waited, little inpatiently, for
her answer, never once thinking how
the true heart of the maid beside him
was wounded by those cruel words, "a
little filtration"
The moon rose higher in the starry
heavens, and again looked down on the
two at the gate. Lo the timid maid
seemed to have been transformed into a
woman, cold and naughty. Drawing
herself up to her full height, she re-
plied,-
Certainly; 1 would not consider it
in any other light than Irritation; and
as you say all such things must have
an end, pleasant though they be-"
d" But, Helen" said the man, glanc-
ing at his watch, "you must not think
me heartless or tickle, for if had
thought you really loved me-"
Enough p she interrupted. "I
know what you would say; but it is
better pnsaid; and I think it would be
best to part at once
Perhaps it would,'' he said, some
what relieved by her reply. But,
he continued, ''if we should meet
again, will it be as friends or stran,
gers?"
"As friends, of course; and why
not? For we have been only friends,
and slight bitterness mingled with
the calmly spoken words of the girl
"So," she added, Il will bid you
good-by, as it is growing late."
And thus they parted. He did not
take her hand. but only bowed and
darkness. Then, when he was gone,
all her calmness, all her forced forti
tude, gave way, and, sinking on rus
tic bench near the gate, she gave way
to paroxysm of tears which came
from wounded pride and love.
After while she turned her gaze to
the moon, and, as she gazed, her feat
,ures expressed thought so deep that
not even the moon could penetrate it.
A change seemed have taken place in
the character of this village maiden, NO
longer timid and shy, but strong wo-
man, with a purpose to live for.
How often little accident, happen
ing in the outset of life. changes the
whole tenor of ones future
The clock was striking eleven as the
figure of a girl crept YEARLY up the
garden path and disappeared within
the cottage. The moon continued on
in its course through the silence of the
night, carrying this scene with it.
The history of these two people is
short and simple. Helen Kingsly was
the only child of her widowed mother,
who resided in the cottage before men-
toned. Her father died when she was
little more than an infant, leaving a