The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-06-09
THE LIGHT OF HIS LIFE.

| Y
the great drawing-roOm, watching th
guests IS they fitted to and fro. an
moro particularly one, q tall, finely pro
pOrtioned man of some fve-and-thirt
years of age. with clean cut feature
and . .'thorough-b air, but an in
definable expression of unrest upon hi
faoe that attracted Clare's sympathy
He certainly was handsome-of fin
physique, with pale complexion, an,
dark. thoughtful. brown eyes, full o
refinement and intelligence. and close
cut, loosely curling brown hair tha
showed the Intellectual shape of hi
head.
Handsome, undoubtedly-Clare coult
sec that for herself; and Constance Pc
tronel had told her he was very rich
very much admired, n great catch; ye1
every one pitied him.
II was incOmprehensible to Clare
how being handsome aud wealthy, il
was possible for Vivian Kilgour to be
an object of pity! and. looking half.
wOnderingly, half-shyly at him as he
walked down the long drawing-room.
bowling here and the'e. she Wondered
| the more.
Herself. Clare Meredith. was one Of
I tho gayest little spirits that over lived,
and her blue eyes were forever dane
ipg With mischief; her swest fair face
always alight with tho pure happiness
that comes from perfect health, a clear
conscience. and cheerful tempora-
ment, while her laugh-well it was
Ike all the enchanting sounds you chose
to compare it tO-a purling mountain
stream. the chime of silver bells. con-
centrated, idealized music H 3l
Che y,roffu too -, l.s~
ish way, with her shining white teeth
behind the ripest, rarest mouth, with a
skin all cream and roseate hues, and q
perfect wilderness of yellow-gold hair,
brushed off her fair wide forehead, and
braided down her back, with the ends
all curl for quarter of yard.
Poor as q church mouse, for she was
the eldest daughter of large fam
lily, but happy and content for all her
lack of wealth; busy from eight in the
morning until six at night: patient, sum
ny-hearted. grateful that she was sue
ceeding SO grandly, paying all her ex-
penses, dressing nicely, affording few
little luxuries occasionally, and laying
by little money every year.
The Potr0nels were old time friends,
and Clare had always a welcome in the
big, old-fashioned house, where the
aristocratic visitors elevated their noses
at the pretty little, obscure farmers
daughter, and the gentlemen put them
selves quite out of the way for . smile
and . gay, careless little nod from the
beautiful golden head, As classic as .
Grecian goddess. s.,
But Clare never cared q whit more for
tho masculine admiration than the fem
mime snubs, and went ON in her quiet
way. sometimes spending her evenings
in the grand drawing-rOom. at others
feeling perfectly content to sit and read,
or sew, or chat in Constance's private
sittin9 room. mp stairs-the coziest room
in the great big house. with howery-
and-viny bay-window, where canary
bird sang, and an upright piano, and .
cottage organ. and plenty of pictures
and cozy chairs.
And Vivian Kilgour was to be pitied!
Clare could not, somehow, reconcile
herself to that; and she was SO inquisi-
tive on the subject that she spoke of it
to Constance.
Il cannot understand why Mr.. Kill
gour- l. to be pitied, Concie. He has
everything reasonable creature should
want What do you mean"
just exactly what I said, my dear
Mr.. Kilgour is all you say, and there
are scores Of young ladies continually
angling for him. But haven't you no.
ticed how quiet, and dull. and unhappy
he always isP''
Clare's eyes looked thoughtful.
Yes. know he is quiet and reserv.
ed; but
- sWell, that is just it. He is of
melancholy ly-aimost moody-disposi-
tion, and fknow he is just rs unhappy
as he can be. Now you know why peO-
pie pity him." !. It<-
A little flash of indignation was in
Clare's blue eyes.
''The idea! Plying q man who per-
mits himself such unmanly indulgences
as moods Indeed, 1 shall waste no
sympathy on him. The trouble is, Mr..
KilgOur is rich enough to be lazy. and
dyspeptic and morbid
I've no patience with a man who will
make himself unhappy for no earthly
reason" II p tsi - q .r.-- - 9.
And vivian Kilgour. passing through
the hall. heard the burst Of girlish
that followed Clare's protest,
and involuntarily paused to listen. =
.'What glow of happiness and ex-
that girl must feel, to laugh |
like that It is tonic in its effect on me. |
wonder il it is that little Miss Mere |
dithr'
And he turned about and deliberate
ly knocked at the door of COnstance's |
"May como IMP You have no idea |
how lonely it is for . poor fellow down
Btairs.''
= And Constance gladly invited him
in. and Clare sang and played for him.
It was the beginning Of . very pleas
ant time in Vivian's life. and ho told
Mrs. Petronel. ono day, that q sight Of
Clare's face when she laughed. and tho
rich music of the laugh, were enough
TO dissipate tho gathered gloom Of . life-
time.
And, somehow, Clare came to under
stand that it was given her to dispel
some of the shadows of Vivian Kill
gour's life, and, without knowing. or
asking, or even feeling . curiosity to
know, she did him all the little woman
" kindnesscs that came in her way.
II want to show you something"
Constance said to her one evening, just
between daylight and dark. ''A1r Kill
gour has gone away for q couple of
days, and he asked me to see that his
rooms were comfortable for an artist
friend. who will be here tonight to
look over some portfolios. And want
you to go with mo while show you
,ome of his sketches. They are quite
ovelyr
They were indeed worth looking at,
md although Clare hesitated about go
ing in, she was enthusiastic over the
contents of the well filled portfolios.
'sIt doesn't seem to be quite the thing
or me to be hsre. !" she said. half laugh