The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-21
A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS.

or clouoyE = inquired Ethel Kay, tu-ElDB Vi
the invalid couch, where she lay day as well
ne night.
Marian swept the scant curtain from the
narrow window OF their poor room.
Dark and cloudy" she replied, the cold
idreariness of the new day striking chill to
her sensitive, heavily .burdened heart. &
tired, hopeless lcok swept over her delicate,
noble face, leaving a slight droop at the cor
ners of her mouth, a shadow in her eyes.
Ethel saw the change Of expression, and for
3 moment her own grew less cheerful and
bright
Never mind; there will be rift In the
clouds by and by che said, with renewed
hope.
/, 81 am glad you have such faith. pet"
said Marian, still locking out on the street.
A poor beggsr crcpt ieebly along, his rags
fiuttered IN the bitter wind, and in pity for
lot sadder than her own the girl lost some
Of her discontent. She turned from the
window with brighter expression and put
on her hat and cloak to start out on that
weary round Of music Lessons which were
their support.
II am sorry to leave you al day, Ethel,
bat ID will be late before / can get through"
do not fret about me, Marian. Mrs.
'O'Mslley will come in and give me my lunch
and q fresh glass of water. and / have this
beautiful lace 10 mend for Miss Constantine.
and that magazine you brought me yester
day to read. On, l shall be fully occupied
until you return"
We'll, we'll. it is comforting 10 have 60
brave and busy little sister at home
= thInk OF il often when Am out. ana it gives
me courage" said Marian, bending over the
couch with tender, misty eyes.
The crippled girl clasped the slender hand
scaressing her hair and drew it down against
her pale cheek.
Am l o help TO you Marian? oh. thst
thought makes ma happy lie here such a
helpless, useless creature; sometimes / have
fssTed that was only burden to you"
Never think that again, dear one-never.
If il were not for you"
She broke OF, and stopping, kissed the
sweet, pale face resting On the pillow, but
when she would have moved away, Ethel
held her moment longer.
Marian, darling, do not lose your faith
and hope. There will be clear sunshine
after While, and ali the dark clouds will
vanish"
81 will try to think So" she replied with
: smile-a smile that vanished the moment
she left Der sisters presence, and memory
began to bring up one by one the events Of
The two years just passed
The girls had been left orphans at an early
age. but with property sufficient to supply
all they could ever need, not only OF necessi-
ties, but even laxurles. Their guardian con-
trolled and managed the money, and they
lived in his house under the care of his good
hearted maiden sister. Ethel had always
been lame and delicate, bat Marian went out
into the world, seeing and enjoying its beau
tics and pleasures.
Walking swiftly along to give her frs.
~ usic lesson, she drew sharp breath of
anguish, as memory too faithfully re.
a nj hA
ness of q three months tour in
Europe, with q party of friends, 1st before
the downfall Of fortane. At the very outset
they met mark Keller, handsome travelled.
and TO the young girl very king among
meR. Hs ioined the party and singled her
out as the object OF his attentions. The
youiss they travelled he had been over be.
toIe. and he could point out ali that was
beautiful or interesting. 1t was golden
season. and the girls heart surrendered in
spite OF womsnly pride and reluctance. But
she bad no cause to feel shame or to believe
her love unsought for. One melloT moon
lit night IN an old Italian garden he
stretched out bis hand to her with sudden,
passionate words of love. and SO eloquently
did he plead for the sweet gift of all her fu-
ture life, she could not withhold the promise
to be his wife.
"You shall never regret it. You shall be
happy" be cried, with q lovers confidence.
II am happy now, she whispered, flushed
and shy, but radiant.
- They wandered long among the flowers,
Feeling that heaven lay about them; but the
next morning the girl received bad news
from home. She only made clearly that her
presence was needed, and with only one re-
xretful sigh for the bright dreams she had
cherished. she began preparations for the
long journey. Keller earnestly begged to be
allowed to accompany her, but she gently
refused. He must 60 on with their fiends
and IL she needed him she would write for
him to come.
81 shall come on in q few weeks whether
YOU send for me or not. We must finish this
interrupted tour together. Marian"
She returned home to find their guardian
dead and their fortune gone swept away In
some I'll advised speculation. The maiden
lady sought home with relatives, and Ma
rsn Ray found herself among the worlds
workers, and with helpless invalid to tsk'
care of. Helpless, did say? Nay, she wal
the only hope and comfort of poor Marian,
heart, for her handsome, wealthy lover came
y not. and the letter she wrote to him ex
y aiming their reverses OF fortunes re
manned unanswered. She tried to think o.
OF him with contempt, to hold the love ths
lied in the hour of ner bittsrest need a.
vslueless, bat she only succst ded IN tor
mentng her own faithful. loving heart
which, in spite Of pride and reason, cluDi
t that short, sweet romancs with hol(
death alone could break.
All day she walked from house to hous
through the bitter cold. while the cloud
hull and heavy over the city; bat when he
days work ended. she started home in tn
evening. strip of blue had appeared over
head. She lifted her eyes to il, and saw thu
clouds part wider and wider, until the iittl
rifs had become broad bright space acros
f @ hesyeus.
"Dear Ethel She would rejoice in thai
/. and call it happy omen, bat / can not,
I she thought, with a sender sm ls that endet
in O sigh.
1t was dark when she reached home. an,
- hurrying eagerly upstairs she pushed Opel
the door g. xious tn be with Der sister a
soon as possible. They were careful wit
fuel. with everything: necessity forced then
to study economy, and Marian expected {