Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
TRUE TO THE CORE.

The tall forest trees were casting Hong
shadows, and the sun sinking low in the
western sky, when a lady and gentleman
paused in their walk to rest at a rustic stile
that divided the field from the pretty grove
that had been spared by the Woodlands ak,
and which added much to the beauty of
scene naturally fine. The gentleman was a
tall finely formed man, with gay, dash
ing manner. The lady was almost as tall
as he, her figure full and graceful. She
was rather inclined to be too silent. Per-
haps one of her attractions to George Eust-
ace was that he liked to talk and she to lis
ten.
She was listening in silence now, while
he told her he loved her, and asked her to
be his wife Her eyes were cast down and
her face flushed and troubled.
Then you don't love me, Lucia?" he
said, when she made him no answer.
Then you don't love me?" he repeated and
the brown eyes were sad enough now.
I'm afraid it would never do; we are SO
unsuited to each other.
But her voice trembled and her eyes
were downcast still-the dark, fearless eyes,
that always met every one SO earnestly and
truthfully.
Lucia" he said, almost ang1ily, you
laugh and talk gaily with the other girls,
that 1 cannot be true to one. Only try me
darling!" And encouraged by her silence,
he put his arms around her, and bending
down, took his first kiss from her lips.
She did not resist the caress; she had
known and loved him since she was
child, and though she knew his nature to
be lighter and more chapgeable than her
own, she loved him too well to refuse to
marry him. Besides, she knew that he
would leave his home and her, that he was
going to join the army, and on this last eve
ming her heart was heavy at the thought of
to morrow's parting. So when he left her
that evening she had given her promise to
be true to him. to wait for him until he
could come and claim his bride.
She babe him good-by the next day. sor-
rowfully but hopefully; for had she not his
return to look forward to? And then his
letters What happiness to have him write
to her!
And he did write to her such tender, low
ing letters that she bore his absence bravely,
and went about her household duties cheer
fully, taking many cares off her mothers
hands And that mother thought there was
no one so blessed as she had always been in
her daughter.
Sllueu lulO ySdlo, GuC wal was
over, and Lucia's heart beat high with hap
piness, for soon George would be with her
again. Others who had been with him
came back to their homes and began to take
up the old routine of life. But still he lin
gered, and cloud began to obscure the
sunshine of her life, for his letters grew
shorter and came less frequently. But still
she waited and hoped, caring nothing for
the attentions of other gentlemen, accepting
them with such indifference that she kept
them all at distance.
Her sister, gay, ght-hearted girl, came
running into her room one day, where
Lucia was trying to read.
Charlie Reynolds stopped at the gate,
where was standing, just now, and what
do you think he said, Lucia?"
THAT he wanted to come in, die. not he?"
answered Lucia.
Nonsense, Lucia! He told me something
about George Eustace, and l hope you wont
care much about it," she said, wistfully.
"What is it you have heard, Jennie? Tell
mel" Lucia said steadily, but her face grew
white.
Charley says that he is to be married to
a lady in Mississippi" answered Jennie.
"It cannot be true" was all that Lucia
answered.
church the very next Sunday, saw George
walk up the aisle with his bride and show
her to his mothers pew. He was married,
then, and had brou ght his bride to visit his
mother. There was terrible pain at Lu-
cia's heart, bitter pain at the thought of the
cruelty that could let her dream happy
dreams of his coming when he was the hus
band of another. But their was thankful
ness, too, that her engagement was only
known to her mother and sister, that it she
must suffer this pain, almost like the bitter
ness of death, at least no one would look
with scornful, plying eyes upon her.
She met George Eustace in society often
during his visit to his mother-met him
with his bride beside him, a fragile, lovely
girl. Lucia congratulated them, and bore
herself toward them as the same pleasant,
well-bred lady that she was to other &C
quaintances. Outwardly she was unchanged
but she suffered in the silent hours of
night, when she listened to the wind or
looked out upon the stars alone. Memory,
too, faithfully brought back the past. and
the image of one who had been SO tickle, so
false to her.
George Eustace took his wife South again,
and went to live near his wifes relatives,
and Lucia's life settled down into quiet
again, and she struggled bravely for cheer
fulness.
Two years went by, and Lucia was in the
same familiar sitting room, sewing. Her
sister Jennie had married, and lived near
her old home. Presently she came in, with
the old, light hearted manner.
Lucia" she began, gayly, Il brought
some bad news in this very room, believe;
now have some good news for you.
have no idea what you mean, said Lu
cha, inditferently.
"Ah, we'll, you will never guess know
you won't try SO I will tell you. George
Eustace is free again" ~ '@4 .5-
Lucia's face flushed, and her eyes filled
with tears.
Jennie, she said, indignantly, how can
you speak so cruelty, SO lightly?"
"Now, Luce, you know l did not mean
anything. It was only my nonsense.
Where's mamma? I'm going to find her."
| Lucia sat still where Jennie had left her,
but her sewing fell unheeded in her lap,
and her thoughts wandered far away. But
the next morning her face was as bright
as usual, and with these common
place duties filled up her time till another
year of her life glided by.
A whole year had glided by since the
death Of George Eustaces wife, when the
servant came in, one evening, looking lit
tie anxious. She had been with Lucias
mother for years. and thought the world
held no one like Miss Lucia
"Some one in the parlor to see you, Miss
Lucia" she said ~ ~
A happy light came into Lucia's face.
cts Mr.. Lawrence, Mary, isit mott"
She spoke in an assured voice, hardly
asking question.
mo, Miss Lucia; faint him, its Mr..
George Eustace." g4F
There was a moments hesitation.
''Tell Mr.. Eustace will be down in few
minutes" And Lucia turned to the glass
and mechanically began smoothing her hair,
and making some changes in her dress.
There was no trace of emotion in her face
when she entered the room few moments
after, and holding out her hand, she said
quietly:
"How are your I did not know you had
returned" ~
mo, I only came in on the afternoon