The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-08-27
SECOND THOUGHT.
A Girls Second Thought, and It's In.
ffuence on Her Life.

rough pine IdOleS were C.0aTeQ OF EHel
burden of nondescript dishes-woodeI
tin, and china. Neat-handed Phyllise
in tasteful camp costume swept ava
the fragments of the feast, while laz
men lounged in the hammocks an
looked on with approving eyes. Fres
logs were heaped on the dying fire, an
the noisy. cracking flames leaped u
in vain emulation of the moon risin
nightly behind the trees, and fell bac
in despair at their defeat.
The CLEAN and shadow of the fire
light danced fitfully over the face ant
figure of slender maiden who stoot
buried in thought, like modern dryad
beneath an old oak tree. Her whit,
chin and brown, clasped hands rested
on the top of broom she had Jus
been welding with more energy thar
| skill. Near her stood a young mar
regarding her fixedly. These two hac
been chosen companions during theil
fortnight in camp, and the acquain.
tance begun but few days ago had
ripened fast into friendship. But to-
night new feeling stirred the young
mans heart. holding him back, yet
urging him forward, as he watched
the slim, girlish figure, with its ''lines
of unspoiled symmetry" and marked,
half-unconsciously. the careless yet
graceful attitude of this nut-brown
maybe.
The party had broken up into groups
of two and three, who wandered deep
into the fragrant pine woods, or drifted
in light canoes across the golden glory
of moonlight on the water. The older
people betook themselves to their tents
with books and cards, and the two
were left alone.
Percy shook off his dreamy mood
and came to where Eleanor was stand
ing.
''Will you let me have a little talk
with youP' he asked, half boldly, half
entreatingly.
Eleanor turned with flash of dark
eyes and bright smile.
Have you much to sayP" she asked
earelessly, '.for in that case l may as
well make myself comfortable.
Very much, if you will be good
enough to listen. and the emphasis of
the reply brought flush to Eleanor's
brown cheek.
She walked slowly over to a moss
covered log and sat down, resting her
head against tree, while Percy threw
himself at her feet, and turned his faoo
toward the fire.
Silence followed-a silence which
both found it hard to break. Percy
lit q cigarette and smoked for a few
moments, then restlessly threw it away
from him and began abruptly:
Il wish l had known you before,
Miss Gordon"
''Why?" she asked, simply.
because my life would not have
been such failure if | had had you to
help me.
This was the old orthodox method OF
beginning a Irritation, but Eleanor was
inexperienced and felt q dangerous
throb of pity.
''Do you need help?" she asked,
gently, feeling sudden impulse-such
as even the most carefully-trained dam.
sci will sometimes feel-to touch the
brown waves of hair so near her hand.
But the thought ''What would he think
of me?" restrained her, fortunately.
"God knows do, said Percy, with
a sudden vehemence that startled her.
81 have made wretched muddle of o
mistake, and must pay for it with q
lifetime's unhappiness! Forgive me,
he added, seeing that she was startled;
II did not mean to speak so, but your
sympathy compelled me. -
what have you done?" she asked,
striving to keep her voice cool and
steady, but inwardly trembling at the
changed, husky tones of the man be-
side her.
He turned his face toward her, and
his eyes were wet, and his mouth trem-
bled little as he answered:
II cannot tell you now, Eleanor.
VIII you not trust me? Will you be my
friend and help me with your SYM
pathyP'
what is it you are asking of mep"
cried the girl. You are speaking in
riddles and cannot understand you"
Percy raised himself and knelt beside
her, the freight shining on his hand
some face. He took both her trembling
hands in his and said, gently:
..Fate has been very hard to me,
Eleanor. am not my own master, |
and the chains have borne with pa
tience seem very heavy to me tonight. /
Some time-it viii not be long, / hope |
some time shall win my freedom |
and then / shall come to you"
..Stopi Stopi" cried Eleanor, pulling |
her hands away from him. ''You must |
not talk so to me. hear voices-the
others are coming"
II shall come to you." he repeated, |
steadily, s'and tell you-what I dare |
not tell you now. Till then, dear, may
not be your friend? Win you not |
trust in me, and believe In me. and let |
me get what comfort / can from your
friendship, until-until dare ask for
more2n
Nearer and nearer came the sounds |
of laughter and singing, the pleading
voice died away. the brown eyes gazed
into hers. and Eleanor, frightened, fas-
cinated, could only murmur Yes. as
with shouts Of merriment the scattered
groups returned from wood and river
to gather around the campfire for an
evening sssing.
Two days later, when the camp
broke up, Percy came TO the station to
see Eleanor safely started on her way
to Bar Harbor. As he said good-by, he
put into her hands a big bunch of dewy
pansies, and around the stems was
twisted slipof paper with the words
There's pansies, that's for thoughts,
pray you, lcve-Temember.
At Bar Harbor, where Eleanor went
10 spend . month with 8 friend. she
was the acknowledged queen Of her
eet. and ii the busy succession Of ten
MS parties, Yachting excursions. walks,
rides, and drives which fll up summer
life at Mount Desert she was every
where the central figure. and enjoyed
Il al with child-like abandon Men
raved over the fresh beauty Of this
Young girl, with her sweet sincere
eyes and cordial smile, girls enVied her
air Of distinction. and the proud. care
less charm Of her manner. Children
hoeked around her sure Of hearty
welcome and genuine sympathy, and
the older people admired and loved the
sweet simple Of nature that kept
her nlaspoiIed amid this universal honi-
age. Men We'd with each other Eo do
her pleasure. but the memory Of pair
81 brown eFas and pleading voice
stiIl haunted her. and would not Be
forgotten. 70 each and al she Was
cool and sweet IS tho pansies she al
wars wore at throat and breast
lrozsn flower, some called her. psquad
and provoked nt her tprhabla
calm.
on are ~ leeoeK saAQ NeE AkAena
Kate 70 her enc night. s. the two girls
81 brushing ent fhesE hd|r before he
open are in IhfIf 1fs
1W Wits should Fou h
1M0H Easa