Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-01-21
~ FAULTLEss LINE.

~ FAULTLEss LINE.
ALI Lucy Delham. am asked TO
u,It- the story OF these events. 1t
,rsul, 10 NE, locking back, that it all
tran one autumn night. l remember
ItNrl. was sitting in the twilight
h, myself. The lattice window wide
ylru. tht huge dusky beech-treeS that
fringe the road standing out darkly
agains. bright evening sky. Then,
,taring across the darkening room, l
began 10 dream.
MAS thinking how many reasons
Ia! for being happy. ! have been told
1Gat when one does that it is a sure sign
Of ugiappiuess. II may be so; l am
no, Wise enough 10 decide. My mother
had .ed when | was six, and l Imme-
i.ateIy found another in Mrs. Payne.
LEI strp-s!ster. | had lived with her
ana her son Richard. in this dear old
cottage called The Wood Farm, tor
fourteen years. And then thought of
KictaId-hOw he found time; amid the
cafes uf experimenting large farm, to
father and UIOtheT 10 Inc, until, through
ll. gentle schooling 1 learned 10 See all
things through 4 medium of cOntented
yeaer. and 10 recognize the great COM
fOTrrI and guardian Of human life
N0TE
Then 1 remembered the change that
had come over him during the last few
weeks. There was some scarcely per-
ceptible difference III his manner when
be spoke to ms mother, a greater differ
ence still when he spoke to me. fany-
thing. his voice WAS kinder; but still il
had q new ring IN II which gave me d
pam that I could not explain. 1t was
part Of Tie beginning.
suddenly / began 10 cry. took my
self severely to task. said
Come. come, Lucy Denham-you
used to Halter yourself that if ever
trouble came TO You you would bear it
bTsyeiy and III silence and now you
are eTFilE when only the shadow Of
disappointment begins to touch you"
some one came between me and the
ight. and ! heard Richards glad voice
oGclalm-
Halo, little wisdoml All alone ?
Nhy, you were 50 busy with your
thoughts yJu didn't hear me speak to
you twice-iH no low tones either
What deep plots are you devising for
our good now. eh -
And, coming over 10 HE, he put his
hand caDess lugly on my wet cheek be
furl 1 con IA rlr-4-anr hin,
What, . he said, drawing Inc gently
10 the light -'' you've been crying,
Lucy l' And he looked steadily into
my eyes. ''COme-tell me what is the
matter, little sister"
Nothing IS the matter, - answered,
smiling. - grew foolish, I suppose, in
Tie twilight. | really don't know my
self what made NE cry. | don't III
deed
You are happy here ?" he asked !
muslngly.
nodded
You don Z feel lonely 2"
NO, no." 1 answered eagerly ; |
please don't take any more notice of |
ny tOOiIshu-ss. "
is M mother in 2' lie asked sud
denly.
No, sire is gone up 10 the Mil |
House 10 talk 10 Mrs. Goodwin. She |
.ald she was coming back before dark"
Let Us walk through the wood and /
meet her, ~ he said. Il have something 1
10 lei. you Is We go.''
IN lev moments We were i'll the 4
deep coo. wood, the grand trees lacing
oTeI1ead and nearly shutting out the |
duiky blue sAy.
DO you know what it is TO be in
love, Lucy - he began.
II Was such a strange sudden queS- /
sion 10 ask Young girl that hesitated
non sheer surprise. He noticed it.
How foolish Of lie ~ be said, laugh
it1lg meuIly. ''Of course you don't. |
ho" should your But you have read
about il -
Yes, answered quickly II think
wondered, yet guessed, what was
ooWihg. l found / was trembling.
NleG 10 De calm but l could not.
/ VIII tell you, Lucy" he contin-
ued, ia a lower tone, putting his hand
VI III! Shoulder. ''lt is TO lose all In
IeieSI In your own life and in every
ole stlSe, except one. 1t is to risk the
tsA,SIehce sAise Of every hope you have ever
lelu On The VIII of one person. 1t is to
,7a'v t-hind you all the calm theories
:! which yeI have fashioned your life,
Hiiu 10 i've Ia - glad, feverish, wonder
u. Iitam, without laws, without order,
"rn ohiy sense OF some ones exist
eice IN whom your life is lost. 1t is
'e'Iei Than that-wOrse than that and
cannot tell YOU after all -
scarcely knew him he spoke 50
tp'aa,s9ioAateiy, "a, pressing my poor shoulder
III II ac!led sgain. He, who was al
ways - quiet and cheerful and steady,
'.nieu to have lost control of himself.
4 hegan doubtfully, for felt how
OO'u II Was Of NE to hazard an opinion
VI such 4 subject.
~ 10 YOU think all love is like that z
AZ i've III silent alteration of only one:
-, - oieAd sweet thoughts OF that one
III ".,H .he commonest duties of your life;
cbnt- an'.. Ihe smallest 0f them gains q new
iI :, IL your eyes to"
81 hhow-I know!' he broke in
sIchiy- sra'SiIy- Il once thought that such
h,, hTu,u Ot my love " Then he stopped,
~ g' presently went On. but, oh, Lucy,
10 When your love is for one who
baa a olis little OF earthly bloom upon
Sor nuoin you may lose In an hour, As
snS use The Violets which you pluco
puI Ia your breast only ts kill them
t.Gen, t,e Lucy, you can understand the
-'sG W Oh love that must be =.
r. - sue very beautiful 2'' l asked, TO
Als thoughts tried 70 keep my