The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-09-19

AT hfSt sylvia was bright ami llVely.
London in the early mist of July morn
ing. the stations filed with well-dressed
the country seen from the ear
rage windows, the exercise and the fresh
air. the perfume of flowers, the green turf,
NIL raised the Young girls spirits for
few moments, but her heart soon grew
weary Of these simple enioyments.
at is always the same thing over and
over again." she said to herself
In fact, Sylvia found hut one pleasure
in these Sunday trips. and that consisted
in feeling herself admired even by the
stupid rustics whom she met on the coun-
try roads. MIA
Sometimes Florence. with his brother
and .little Chipp," deserted the rest OF
their party, and wandered into the woods
and meadows to gather flowers and trail
models for his wallpapers.
Frank. with his long arms, pulled down
a spray of hawthorn, or climbing on to a
stone wall to gather some wandering
woodbine that pleased them hy its care
less grace But il was by the side of Che
river that they found their richest harvest.
For in the damper soil grew tall, flexible
plants, whose long. slender stems threw
out luxuriant masses of leaves, and reeds
of rich brown, or a wild convolyulus,
with its branches of white blue flowers.
Florence grouped his leaves, his buds,
and flowers, as if Nature alone had done
it. tying his bouquet with wide blade ot
grass, and hung it over Franks shoulder,
and on they went, Florence talking all the
time of subjects and combinations.
Look" said he, sat that cluster of
a.. hat
branch of wild roses. Don't you think it
would have pretty effect, conventionally
treated, on IA ground of greenish grayP
Sylvia cared little for lilies and roses.
Wild flowers were but weeds in her eyes.
She remembered those in the conser-
vatory at Mr.. trays, Annie's grandfather,
and thought of the rare plants growing
in the majolca vases ON the balcony.
Those were the only flowers she loved, so
you may fancy that she cared little for
the country.
III they passed park-lodge, she east
lingering glances up the avenue. and at
the green lawns shaded by tall trees.
These glimpses of All unattainable luxury
made these expeditions almost irritating
to her, and the returning home was the
GROWING point of her misery.
The small stations approaching London
are on sneh evenings greatly crowded
and uncomfortable. But old Chip was
IN his element He hustled about, com
planned of a train that was delayed for
two or three minutes, and threatened
loudly to write 10 the newspapers.
.hnagine,' he would say, in a blnster-
ing tone, ''such thing happening in the
nineteenth century,
And the noble actor answered, with
slirug of his shoulders
"Monstrons'
Che single word. thanks TO the wonder
ful talent of the tragedian, conveyed to
the gaping spectators the idea that the
two men had just arrived from Caygill's
tour round the world.
Seated by Franks side. his enormous
bouquet half III her lap. Sylvia remained
for a long time absolutely silent. contem-
plating the hlack masses Of trees against
the sky, II long country road, and the
crowd that came and went through the
waiting-room II train flashed by without
stopping; then came the one that their
party was to take, and they FASTENED to
find seats
How dusty and uncomfortable it was!
The t,rmbled, soiled dresses of the women,
the men red and warm A thick, white
dust obscured the one lamp and hung like
mist over everything.
Sylvia pushed up the window at her
side. and fixed her eyes on the long hedges
as they glided past.
Soon like the countless stars, they saw
before them the street lamps of London
This melancholy day OF pleasure was at
last over and each member Of the now
silent party began to think Of to-moriow's
toll. 6t#-
Sylvia rebelled against this contempla-
ton, and envied the rich to whom each
day brought new distractions, and vague
ly, AS in n dream. peopled the cool av-
enues she had seen with II crowd of we'll
dressed people, who We're amusing them
selves by watching the Cockneys, who, in
the face of heat and dust, and SO much
discomfort. had persisted in seeking II
holiday.
From her thirteenth to her seventeenth
birthday such was Sylyia's monotonous
life. Mrs. Chipp's Indian shawl was
trife more worn, and the blue muslin was
irretrievably shabby. These, and an ad-
ditional inch or so to Sylvia's height, were
all the changes.
Frank now treated the girl with silent
adoration, which she alone, of all the little
circle, failed to detect Nothing interest
ed her. She performed all duties silently
and mechanically.
Frank. ON the contrary, worked with
intense energy. 1t was easy to see that
he had am aim in view. and he succeeded
SO well that at the expiration of his ap-
premiership, he received an appointment
in the engineering firm where he had
served his time,
On the evening of that day Florence
invited all the Chip family to go to the
theatre. He and Mrs. Chip resigned
Sylvia to the care of Frank with an air
that seemed to say
"Now settle it between yourselves. 1t
is your own affair.
The young lover was quite ready. The
walk was long one, SO Frank began by
speaking of the play.
II like those he said, ''in which there
is some romance. Don't you, sylvan
81 don't care" She answered, ..what the
play is. If the dresses are pretty"
In fact, ut the theatre she Thought of
little else, and she took away with her
only new patterns foi n dress, or for the
arrangements of her hair. The stage
simply inspired her with n wild longing
for wealth and power
The exaggerated toiettes of the actress
es, their very walk and attitude absurdly
conventional. seemed To her the perfec-
ton of elegance and distinction, The
crowded house, the carriages at the door,
all delighted her.
Her lover continued
"llow well they play ed HAT love scene,"
and, as he uttered these wmsls, he bent
tendeily over the pretty little head in its
white hood. NssFF EgMrfs ~ gnr
Sylvia sighed p 81
"Ah. yes, the love scene. The actress
wore splendid diamonds" tfkN
There was a moments silence Poor
Frank had some difficulty in explaining
himself The words he sought would not
come at his bidding. and he felt himself
growing very cowardly.
II will speak, he said to himself,
"before we turn the next corner
But Sylvia began to talk ON such oppo-
Oft as.u.l A ~