Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-04-19
A MODERN PLATO.

The speaker was one of two elderly WON.
en- who were seated in the bow window of
house, villa" residence in the Western
Highlands, The villa stood quite alone and
faced an extensive Loeb which spread for
many miles on either side.
There was garden before the house with
lawn that sloped down to a white narrow
road made close to the waters edge
Across the loeb the view was lovely; it
embraced little hamlet nesting among
trees and backed by range Of gorgeous
hills covered with heather aud braeken all
aglOw now with Autumn tints; hills that rose
up until they seemed to touch the clouds and
draw them down to Hit in changsful vapor.
Gus shadows over their rugged sides.
Behind the house there we're more hills
that looked nearer and rose higher, and
were scantier Of vegetation on their north
ern aspect; and below these hills there were
few cottages scattered here and there,
forming the tiny village of St. Neots. The
two women in the bow window were much
too busily occupied by their work and their
discussion to spare attention to the scenery.
They knew it al by,heart, and they were not
Of the type of creature to whom natures
moods appeal They were tall, spare won.
en-, with grave, quiet faces, out Of which the
iylessness of their narrow life had quench-
ed every spark of animation; faces whose
expression was one OF sad content with the
mUGOlony Of existence.
They were a little stirred Just nov. There
was even a touch of excitement iu the tone
In which the one called Janet had addressed
her sister.
DO you think We should advise him TO
let him come, Bride?'
she pat nrr III errogstiOn in q different
team his time because Bride had not an.
s7,rt her first appeal 10 seemed too
~; htv . question n he s3Oken of without
elaboration. Bride had Just laid down her
work, and turned her faded gray eyes to the
window, as if to look there for guidance,
when the door opened and the object OF their
disquiet appeared.
a little slim creature in fray gown fash
toned after the manner Of her hslf-sisters,
and with that same air of subdued quiet
ness clinging about her Nevertheless she
had an eager face, with large dark eyes that
blazed and sparkled as if a smodldering fire
were hidden in their depths. She glided iuso
Quietly that she heard the last words spoken
by Janet, and answered them in breathless
tone
"Oh, yes, he must come. Dear Janet, you
must let him come"
Bride turned aud gazsd at her, thought
fully, curiOusly half in dismGy.
why are you so anxious, Picnic?
The girl gave q little gasp. She was so
much excited that she grasped book she
had taken up until the marks Of her flo
ugers we're stamped on the soft leather bind
ing. -,
ooh, want to see some one who has lived"
she cried not only existed, like US.
Child said Janet, I'VE are very happy
here" She spoke partly from conviction,
partly from habit. II was one Of the trials
of the elder sisters lives that there placid
routine did not content or suffice for Picnic.
She would take tits Of rebellion against its
stagnation and want Of purpose; would cry
out that she did not believe in coming into
the world merely to be, she wanted to see
more of its great human machiuer, to do,
and, if need be, to suffer like other created
beings.
We live a vegetable life here, she would
declare passioustely. We eat aud sleep
and 90 TO aud fro with those everlasting hills
closing US in on every side, and that great
nitiless sheet of water always before US. Why
can't we 90 out into the world ike the peo-
ple we see coming here on the coaches aud
steamers? They do not stay frittering away
life in one place with no sufficient occups-
ton for mind aud body
When Phemie spoke ike this Janet and
Bride used TO hold their breath in dismay.
What were they to do with her? how were
they to alter the existing state Of things
1t is all very well in Summer time,
Phemie would cry, waxing poetic IN her
tragic youfhfulness; when the sun shines
and the loch is like a huge mirror rejecting
back the outlines and hues Of the hills when
the air is so pure that one feels intoxicated
with deT-ht. and when one can wander all
day on the moorland and feel the fragrance
OF the heather and bog myrtle and hear the
cries of the birds, breaking the silence;
but in Winter
She did 90. finish her description, she
only shivered. The vision before her eyes
was of stormy Autumn and Winter months
when this little hamlet among the hills was
inexpressibly dreary, when the loch was Just
a dull gray reflection OF the clouds ABOVE It,
and the great hills were half clothed IN q
heavy curtain Of mist. There was always
much rain at St. Neots-the tourists who
came there in Summer even complained OF
that-and the few city men who had shoot
ING boxes in the neighborhood found 1t
drawback to their enjoyment.
They need not have grumoled. lhey
went away with the swallows, as soon as the
delights Of the fine weather were over;
VERY few people lived at 81. Neots all the
year round: the doctor and his family were
the only gentlefolks. He did not feel the
dreariness of the place as his three daugn.
ters did He was a man who had settled
down "a parish doctor in this widely scatter
ed moor district in Scotland; not because
he chose it, $50 few of US do choose where
our DAYS shall be passed, buPbeesuse he had
no heart TO struggle with fate. His hte had
been one long experience of disappointment
BEGINNING when as q student he1ell into
the mistake of fancying that mediocre tai,
ents and utter want of perseverance insured
a career When that dream OF ambition
faded, he fell in love, or thought be did, with
Jane and Brides mother, woman OF WeaA
perceptions and narrow sympathies. Then
She died and left him free, and ne thought
he was near to attaining the ideal happiness
be had somehow missed in his hrst matr',
monial venture. He had paid professional
visit to Edinburg, and there he met Phem'e
mother, an English girl who was govsrness
ii a friend family. -,
This was i've years after bis 6sSt wife
death, and his two daughters we're respect
lively twelve and thirteen. When his shor'
eager courtship ended he sent for tha twp
girls to make the acquaintance OF t7e,r
stepmother. and after the marriage the Waoia
4 N.,nR, Anrafhar