Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-11-09
CARMIE'S LIFE STORY.
BY FLITTIE ST. FYTHE.

"How do you like her, JUDI
Young DR.. Galbraithe lookedmup at
his cousin a moment before answer
ing.
"If she were worth hundred thou
sand l would marry her tomorrow.
She is a girl that ten years from now
will do honors To even one of a Cali
braithe."
Alice was silent, and outside the
open door, in the hall, Carmie had come
all unheard in her slippered feet, but
not unhearing, and stood silent, also.
She was not vain. so felt strange de-
light in this mans words, cruel and
heartless as they were but she was
proud and sensitive, and her eyes flash
ed, and something of the superb power
that Judson Galbraithe prophesied for
ten years hence, thrilled her as she
stood there then, nothing but girl,
she shivered as she thought how easily
she could have been won by this hand
some careless man had she been wealthy
won, but not loved and she crept
quietly away, wondering if she could
ever be anything to be proud of-any-
thing else but a poor, half-paid school
teacher.
y
Thirty to-day. Once l should have
considered myself old at this age, with
the best of life passed and little before
me to enjoy. But now l am very hap
py, thankful and content"
Carmie Brownell was looking across
the blue sea waters, her hands resting
upon the railing of the balcony, her
calm, sweet face grave and thoughtful.
The climbing vines and roses threw
fluttering leaf-shadows and sunshine
upon her tall, 1.-the form, and people on
the beach below turned to look at the
unconscious figure second time.
"Who is she. Leicester ?"
"Miss Brownell."
"Is that all there is to say of her? ?"
mo. 1 might talk day of her and
you would be as little acquainted"
"You are unusually reticent. She
must have incurred your lordship's dis
pleasure, and you punish by ignoring
her."
1--WE are good friends; but / knew
that your questions were prompted by
idle curiosity; and thought l would
wait until you met her. She has won
fair fame and considerable wealth, /
believe, by untiring patience and labor.
She has triumphed over every obstacle,
met trouble and disappointment that
would have crushed a woman less
brave, and now, from it all she brings,
instead of cynical, selfish nature, one
so thoroughly pure that men are made
better for her living"
"She is wealthy, famous, but still un
married"
Eyes, even an old maid, If you like
but no one ever thinks of that"
Philip Leicester frowned, and there
was ring of displeasure in hi, sweet
strong voice. 1t angered him to heal
this cool questioning even from {
friend. DR.. GalbIaithe at his side
handsome, fascinating, worldly-wise
and tri6e worldly-wild. turned agar
to look at the white-robed figure.
They sauntered back an hour later
just as Miss Brownell frightened tn
reins over her housekeeping blacks.
"Those are magnificent animals, b,
Jovew exclaimed Galbraithe.
Eyes. she handles them perfectly
too" And Philips dark eyes flashed
and wonderful light swept over hi
face with the smile and bow he CAV
Carmie Brownell, while she gave
glance at both, but smile to only one
as she dashed by; and the second tim
that day the fastidious Judson Ga
braithe turned to look at woman.
He had quite forgotten her, howevel
until he saw her that evening in III
tie crowd in the large drawing room
Philip Leicester was one of the GROVE
and Galbraithe made his way towar
them 20 DO introduced. She ros
smiling, gracious, thoroughly a lad
with no pretence to girlishness Thel
were valley lilies at her belt, vale
lilies in the soft lace at her throat, an
valley lilies in the Loose, low-coils
hair. Her eyes were clear. brav
tender; her face one that changed wit
every thought, but was ever pure an
true.
The summer passed, as all summe
have q way of doing. and one nigh