Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-10-19
FLETA's LESSON.


do, mother, reconsider what you
said yesterday"
NO, Fleta, dear. twill be- all for
the best
The fret speaker was Fleta Holly
wood. n bright girl OF eighteen years,
who hal become infatuated with Us
win Chalmers. dissipated youth.
That she was wildly, aye, madly'i in
love with him. was evidenced 10y her
every action. She had several times
been reprimanded by her mother. but
all for naught. Seeing that matters
were becoming more serious, "a final
effort was made Ia dissuade foolish
daughter from rushing headlong into
an abyss out OF which it would take
years 10 gain freedom.
But, mother; do you not think it
cruel 10 act sof"
Yes. dear; IN your eyes 1t may
look that way, but remember you are
slill young and inexperienced; you
have never seen the evil effects Of
drink. aud il can help it, you never
will Oh. yes. Fleta, know you
think | am the most hard hearted
mother in the world, but i know the
difference, i have seen examples, and
can thank the Lord that having wit
messed them l may profit thereby
But. mother, | know / can reform
Oswin."
"Ah! Simple girl. How many a
young heart has been led away, how
many life blighted and an otherwise
bright future wrecked by such a
thought DO not, my dear, be falsely
impressed with the duties OF re-
former. more especially when the sub
ject in ore. who. like Oswin Chalmers.
IL ~ terribly addicted to drink. No,
my child. the man is not worth the
sacrifice"
"Oh. mother. Why be 80 harsh in
your Judgment. You must know the
attachment that has sprung up be-
tween us; why then not be more
lenientr
"Fleta, you have gone too far; this
il a critical moment, know it, while
you. alas. blinded by youthful folly
and a rash love, still cling to one who
wonld make your future life thorny
and rugged path with not even an oc-
casional rose, the fragrance OF which
might alleviate the pangs OF hard
ship. which you must surely expert
ence."
But, mother, you know that his
father, Judge Chalmers, is wealthy,
snd he will never see Oswin in dis
tress.'
For shame, girl; l respect the me
chanic a thousand more than he.
What does he knowi What could he
do should he be left to his own re
soureesi His father is wealthy, but
why should he be dependent on him!
He will never he man. dear. This
fact in itself would he sufficient oh
stacle, even did he not drink. Come.
dear, be governed by your mother,
and believe me, you will not regret
it,
ooh, you are too overbearing: you
are unreasonable. ] will marry
Oswin. 80 there, now" She arose
from the half kneeling position she
had assumed mt her mothers knee
and left the room.
Mrs. Hollywood buried her face in
her hands. II was but another OF the
dark clouds which had made her life
an eventful one. She had been made
q widow when Fleta was but a year
old. Her husband, a sea captain,
was lost at sea and never heard Of
He had left considerable property.
which greedy lawyers had shared,
aud left but little TO the rightful
owner.
Fleta had been educated at semi
nary, where she had been since p
child, and consequently knew but lit
tie OF a mothers love. One year be
fore the incidents just related, while
home on vacation, she became smit
ten with Oswin Chalmers, who,
though Of good parentage, was a
worthless chap. Their intimacy
ripened into love OF the most pas
sionate kind. On returning to school
q correspondence was commenced.
and about Christmas an elopement
from the Melville Female seminary
was only averted through the good
Judgment OF the professor in charge
Oswin Chalmers had planned that
they meet on that day, and after be
ing welded they would return to his
fathers house, where all would be
in readiness 10 receive them. The
letter containing such instructions
was intercepted and the clopement
was postponed.
This event caused complete
change in Flcta's manner. The
school room where she had been
reared and which had thus far been
a home 10 her, had lost it's charms;
and the daily exercises. which had
heretofore proved fascinating, were
now bore She who had been first
in class had lost the place What was
formerly pleasure WAS now pain
She contided IN no one Those daily
walks she was wont to take with a
companion were now taken alone, that
she might brood over what she
deemed mi .fortnne Thus had she
acted ill sickness was brought on.
which necessitated her leaving the
seminary ere the term was closed.
II required but short stay at home