The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-12-08

edge, and unconsclously gaining a
taste for higher pursuits and compan
ionship. If the girl has not gained,
you will find she has lost her youth,
her simplicity and all that naive fresh
ness you so much admire. You shake
your head doubtingly, eh2 'Ephraim is
joined to his idols let him alone.
Seeing is believing, however. With
such heart as yours, ! pity you when
your idol lies before you fallen and
shattered.
And Ralph Emery looked with real
concern into the thoughtful face of his
friend.
An hour later they were whzzing
rapidly toward the country, when their
attention was arrested at n station by
the entrance of "a lady. Grant Bur
chard started. Something reminded
him of Amy Ludwick There were
brown eyes and glossy cnrls, worn in
the old, childish fashion, but now they
certainly were old maidish and unbe-
coming. Her face was pretty still.
but it lacked something to make it in
teresting, and Grant Burchard could
not but acknowledge to himself she
was over dressed and unrefined in ap.
pearance. lie instnctively shrank
from acknowledging to his friend that
this woman looked like the one he had
loved. And though his eye caught
the name of "A. Lulwick' on her
travelling bag, he shrank from renew
ing the acquaintance, as he might
have done by word. He was CON
trasting this uninteresting woman with
the simple girl in sweet brier glen,
when an old man entered and address
ed her as miss Ludwick.
Ralph Emery now started and look
ed into his friends face.
"Ah l remember the name" he ex-
claimed, "ls that the divinity of your
dreams @
Il fear it is" was the deprecating
answer.
"Where have you been p asked the
farmer
"Been down to the city to do some
trading" was the answer
Her voice was coarse and harsh, and
Ralph Emery smiled. but it was no
smiling matter to Grant Burchard
this dethronement of the beautiful idol
he had carried all these years
Getting ready, | spose ?" queried
the farmer.
"Ready for what ?" asked Miss
Ludwick, with a blush and silly laugh
you've concluded not to wait for
the chap that went away few years
ago, | hear, and that young man com
ing to your house every week don't
mean anything, Is'pose," said the old
man, with an intelligent smile
81 don't see it, was the quick reply,
as she tossed her head and simpered.
Grant Burchard groaned.
Success to the young man who
comes every week :" said Ralph Emery,
fervently, 'and you might as well say
amen, Grant, for | think that last
bit Of slang has cured you
Verify Grant Burchard was in an
unenviable frame of mind. lie was
like one who had reveled in a delicious
dream of beauty, and awakes to a
stern and wretched reality. lie was
thinking 1t all over rs he lounged
with his friend upon the porch of the
country hotel, where they stopped fol
the night, when his reverie was put to
flight by the fragrance of sweet brier
"A perfume that always came to him
laden with sweetest memories.
The parlor was in shadow, but they
heard the floating sound of woman :
garments, and sweet, low voice
chatting intelligently with an elderly
gentleman. The conversation was OF
sufficient length to prove that this lady
with the starry blossoms of sweet briel
twned in her hair was Il woman OF
original thought and rare cultivation
The Old man asked for music, and the
lady swept the piano keys with skill
full fingers, and filled the room with a
rare, sweet melody, AS the last note,
died away, and the soft garments
hoatcd ont, Grant Burchard exclaimed
MY Amy should have had voice
like that
RAJ pin Emery thought of the harsl
and discordant tones in The rail car
and with smile that made his com
panion vince, quoted the slang phrase
Il don't see it.
The next day, Grant Burchard and
his friend stood at the gate of the
Ludwick homestead. 1t was fiuc
old place, and the garden was a pretty
sight with its rare and beautiful flow
ers arranged with exquisite taste
Grant had thought of This visit fol
years, when he should come alone tC
clam Amy, but now he was glad tc
bring his friend, that no mention
might be made of claims. A lady
stood in the garden path. She turned
and there were the dark curls, brown
eyes, and ungraceful manner of tn,
travelling companion of the previou,
day. Grant Burchari stepped for
ward,
"Good morning, Miss Ludwck,"
1t was sadly cold and changed from
the fervent "Amy" he had Away,
called her in his thoughts,
Good morning, sirs, responded tn,
harsh voice, while scared lool
came into the brown eyes as she re
garded the distinguished lookln.
strangers. a minute more and sh
exclaimed enthusiastically
"Why, Grant Burchard, if it ain
you, How glad | am "
And she gave him hearty hand
shake, and poured forth a torrent o
questions as she led him into the house
and went to call the family.
The gentleman glanced about tn,
parlor Everything was neat an,
beautiful, and the careful disposition
of books and furniture betokened
cultivated taste, The piano was open
and two pair of critical eyes note,
with surprise the difficult piece o
music standing on the rack
The faint perfume of sweet brie
stealing in the open window filled tn
room with delightful aroma, an,
Grant Rurphar1 an,iIal In .,ito ,c L;,