The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-11-18
SHE WAS FRIVOLOUS.

SHE WAS FRIVOLOUS
The Rev. Mr.. Shaw coDtrasted
greatly with his surroundings-his
spotless cloth fitting SO well bis
strong, manly figure, his clear-cut
Grecian features and dark wavy hair.
thrown back with careless grace
from his smooth brow.
He was visiting one of those
wretched tenement houses used by
the very poor, and before him was a
furlorn group.
A widow who had just buried her
husband she had five helpless
children-the eldest six, the young
est a nursing baby, and pair of
twins among them. The rags and
worse than all, the dirt of poverty
was everywhere apparent.
An expression of almost sublime
pity rested on the countenance of
the minister.
The woman,w with an apron thrown
over her head, rocked herself to and
fro, and walled ous her troubles.
II don't know what | ara going to
do for myself and the little ones.
Though my old man would have his
drink be didn't beat us, and brought
enough home to keep body and soul
together, but now | know we can't
do nothing but starve and die u
Have youno friends ?" asked Mr..
Shaw in a low voice.
"Some. but as bad and wuss off
than US. Yes" she said, looking up
with graceful, bright expression.
"there is one-Lord bless herl who
has done a lot for me- Miss Mehita-
BILE Sanks. She sent medicine and
the doctors to the old man, and guv
me clothes and suthIn' to eat; and
many's the man, woman, and child
that blesses her for takin' care of
'em. Why, sir, she even leaves lit
tie cards with stamps on 'em, and
Joe Potter, who can write, sends 'em
TO her when we are in very bad
state"
After assuring her of his sympa-
thy and that be would do what he
could for her, the minister wended
his way home. As he thought of
those to whom he might appeal.
vision of bright face haunted him,
but while be fingered over the
thought most tenderly, there was
on his brow as if there was
some slight jar that marred the har-
mony of his thoughts.
Mr.. Shaw was the rector of one of
the wealthy churches of the city and
Mabelle Lee was one of the parish
toners. Her face was Madonna-like
in its tender curves and beauty, the
large blue eyes with just tinge of
the perfect curve of the red
lips, faultless complexion, and
blonde hair that was like halo of
light around the graceful head But
ah, when she talked it was like
damper,a mist on a beautiful picture
marriDg the tints that otherwise
would have been perfect.
Bright and witty, but butter fly;
such a devotee to society that one
longed for the expression of a single
serious though. that conld leaven
into something like common sense
this personification of frivolity.
With it all, however, she was lovely
and loveable to any one, and Mr..
Shaw had long struggled against an
interest in her. the indulgence of
which be felt would be fatal to his
future happiness and usefulness.
Absorbed in these thoughts, he
found himself in front of Mr.. Lees
house, and obeying an impulse, he
turned into the gate and was admit
ted.
As Miss Lee entered the parlor, he
thought he had seldom seen fairer
vision, and was vexed to feel his
heart throb more quickly, and thrill
with a pleasure that he felt must he
controlled. She greeted him with
that easy grace which was one of
her principal charms.
'Ah, Mr.. Shaw | am so glad to
see you. | had a real spell of ennui
this morning. This last novel is
wretched, as both hero and heroine
die in the most provoking way, and
because of some overstrained idea of
duty. and / was just wishing that
some one would come in and l could
have cheerful little chat to dispel
the gloomy impression"
"Then I'm afraid" smilingly,
you will not like your present visi-
tor. / have not come in very
cheerful humor; and besides, ] wish
to ask you favor"
"A favor That is too lovely. Con-
slider it granted, even to the half of
my kingdom. ! am truly glad that
YOU wish to ask favor of me, be-
cause l did not think your opinion
of me was sufficiently good for such
a thing. Do you know" with sud-
den drop of the eyes, ''that you al
ways make me feel as if | am doing
something wrongs"
do L? Well. / shall give you
golden opportunity now to redeem
yourself. l have just been visiting
some of those wretchedly poor fami-
lies in-street, and / would like
it SO much if you could interest
some ladies in their behalf-visit
them and relie7e them:"
A look of CONSERVATION over
spread her pretty face as she ex-
claimed:
"Oh indeed, you don't mean for