Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-09-28
THE STORY or MoRErON HALL.

In the suburbs 81 C, in the
State ~ Missouri, stands Moreton
Hall The large lawns in front o!
the mansion ARE still well kept. and
the house still shows traces ~ its ar
istocratic grandeur There il an air
~ quiet beauty about the place, that
suggests Ia the pnsser- by n home for
the homeless ~ we'll ~ q haven Of
rert los the weary.
This home IN now owned by. and
the residence 81 Myra Moreton. The
marble slahr in the churchyard near
show the resting places 81 all the
members but one ~ the large. aristo
cratic family. The small figure that
il seen passing Ia and fro, dressed in
sombrc mourning, is Myra.
Five years ago, there was assembled
nj the Hall large number OF gay
young men and beautiful young girls.
We were schoolmaics and friends.
aud were there Ia witness the wed
ding Of our friend Myra The halls
echoed with happy footballs, and the
sound OF merry laughter rang ont
upon the warm spring morning air,
and here and there we assembled 10
discnss the coming event Ont on
the front veranda sat the father and
mother, both snd and silent. so 10th
were they To part with their only
child
Myra had always been wilful
child. she had ruled both parents, AZ
she had her teachers and classmates,
by her winning smile and pleading
ways so. in this affair. she had over
ruled their objections, while they,
with saddencd hearts. were forced To
smile in appreciation.
The evening came We were all
busy in our preparations. The whole
mansion was brilliantly lighted, and
the grounds were brightly lighted by
the Chinese lantern that hung in
large numbers from every tree. The
parlors were thrown open, and soon
filled with;gucsts. We never looked
upon n lovelier bride. The groom
was young and handsome He re-
sided in different State. and report
said he was the only son Of wealthy
lawyer He was noble looking, tall,
manly. aud Of fine physique, with
black eyes and hair. No clouded
thoughts filled our minds. for their
future seemed happy and bright.
Strange rumors were afloat, now and
then. that the son was reckless and
that dissipation kept him banished
from home; but 10 all these whispers
Myra and her schoolmates turned a
deaf ear.
"For marriage is all a lottery. girls,
aud | tim willing 10 trust Leslie
Forbes, for / love him.
That was the reason we turned our
heads aside. and would not listen to
the rumors.
The wedding festivities were con
tinued several days, and the young
bride left her parents, home, and
young friends, To 20 among strangers,
to share the fortunes Of her chosen
one We all returned TO our homes
and duties. and the days passed A.
they had for mouths. save that we
were less one companion. one friend.
The old home seemed lonely without
Myra. No childish steps sounded
through the halls. and no merry
laughter sounded from lawn or ter
race We occasionally visited MIR.
and Mrs Moreton. but our visits
seemed only to remind them more Of
their loneliness, and We, ceasing our
visits almost entirely. saw very little
life about the hall. Only to Miss
Linda, who had served the family for
years. alternately as nurse and house
Keeper and governess, did wa ever
talk ~ our loneliness.
Miss Linda was an old maid: that
IL. she wore spectacles. and her hair
fell IN corkscicw curls that peeped
rigidly out from under her cap. We
all used to fear Miss linda, but when
any accident happened TO III at school
she was our physician and comforter
When We reminded her II orr absent
friend she would turn aside with
quivering lips, and We at length
found the subject painful to her and
desisted
We passed and repassed Moreton
Hall. and still silence reigned about
IT. Then. after almost n year. W. saw
ply sicians going Ia and fro, and at
last W. heard that Mr. Moreton was
III. and Myra had been summoned
home Ere the news reached her,
Mr. Moreton had hreathed his last.
and again we met our friend. buried
in grief for the loss Of her father.
There were lines Of care plainly