Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-10-05
PAUL CHESTER'S LOVE.

She was swinging ON the gate, mos
undlSnified action on the part of gir-
well IN her teens, but at first glance one
could see that neither dignity nor any
thing approaching it belonged to pretty
Christie Norwell.
She was small and blonde, with short,
curling hair, and merry blue eyes that
were never grave, and red lips that
always smiled.
1t was quite different face, the one
opposite her, for the eyes wore an
earnest, trouble expression, and the
mouth dropped sorrowfully at the cor
ners.
"Chrisite," Blanche Glennon was say
ing in low, reproachful tones, chow
could you be so cruel last nighty
"Cruel! / would'n harm a creature
for the world" Christie returned lightly;
at know what you mean. L danced
with Mr.. Armstrong three times and
only once with Paul. What of that?
lit wasn't that alone. You sighted
Paul all the evening, knowing, too how
he dislikes Dudley Armstrong, You
realize it, Christie, as we'll as l do; and
if you care anything for Paul Chester
his love, you must be kinder
paul has no reason to dislike Mr..
Armstrong; he is perfect gentleman
and"
"I do not agree with you," Blanche
interrupted. HE is handsome and
polished but he is not true man. L
would be careful, if were you, lest in
an unguarded moment, I committee
myself,
Something like anger flashed into
Christie's eyes, and then faded smile
half-scornful, half-an used, curved her
lips.
"What O wise cousin it is y she said
mockingly, "You always agree with
Paul. If you were not so anxious to
have me tie him to my apron strings, 1
should think you were in love with him
yourself"
Blanche turned away with heighten-
ed color, and her cousin did not see the
look of unutterable grief and longing
that filled the dark eyes.
The words spoken in Jest contained
deep and sad significance fer Blanche
GIennon, for with all the strength and
fervor of her true, womanly heart she
loved Paul Chester, the man whose
cause she was pleading. And the boon
she craved, she would have given her
life to win, all were bestowed OF gay,
careless Christie, who valued them so
lightly.
Christie shugged her shoulders and
laughed softly when her cousin left
her.
81 wonder what she would say if she
knew all" she thought. "She would
be inexpressibly shocked, suppose
After all, where's the harm? Poor
Paul is kept in an agony Of suspense
and jealousy, and the girls are dying o
envy"
And 80 her thoughts wandered on,
touching on one subject and then
another. What would Paul say If he
could know that the rose he hail fasten-
ed in her hair had found resting place
in Dudley Armstrong; vest pocket
What would he say if he could have
seen that gentleman in the act of clasp
ing bracelet on Chaistie's arm, stoop
to press his moustached lips to the
small. white hand? Above all, what
would he think when, on the morrow,
seated behind Armstrong; spirited grays
she dashed by his Office window?
What he thought she never knew, for
beyond a quick, reproachfu( glance
from his dark eyes when next they met
Paul Chester gave no token of anger or
disaproval.
That glance troubled Christie more
than many words would have done, and
a dim conviction that size was doing
wrong entered her thoughtless brain.
But with her usual self-wil and i'm
petuosity. she went on, in defiance OF
Blanche's pleadings and remontrances.
Whether she drove, rowed rr walked
| Armstrong was her constant attendant,
and Paul drew aside, waiting calmly fol-
the end to come.
He still loved Christie She was sc
childlike and thoughtless he could not
censure her she was so tender and win
some at times he could not turn away
from her; and SO he waited, hoping
that some day she would realize hel
folly, and return to the true, patient
Leart always ready to receive her.
On his way to the Norwen cottage
one September afternoon, he was salut.
ed by an acquaintance from the city.
$50 you've got Armstrong with you,
the newcomer said, during the conver'
sation. ''By Jove, that mans clever,
and no mistake.
"You know him. then p
eyes, he used to belong to club ol