Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-12-18

4
admirers who had presented themselves
during the two or three seasons since
| she had made her social debut Ant
finally her parents and old Miss Saral
grew anxious at her lack of zost for tn,
good things of the life to which she wa.
born. But when Brcnton appeared or
the scene and gave himself up to tn,
| pleasures of tho world his examples
seemed to do her good, and she became
quite herself again. Or was It herself
with little something addcdp Certainly
no one before had seen her eyes sparkle
so brightly or her cheeks blush with sc
happy glow rs now.
"And you really think You will give
up permanently your secluded lifep" she
asked him once, when they were chat
ting alone in the corner, after one of old
Miss Sarah's solemnly elegant Sunday
teas. "You have been so welded to
science, don't you know, / doubt whether
you could ever break your heart into the
traces"
Without letting her finish, he said;
Possibly might break my heart out OF
the traces" And he looked ut her in
such way that she could hardly doubt
his wish to convey the idea that she
would be the cause of the catastrophe.
'Oh, you know what l meant" she
said quite lightly and laughing.
Brenton was perhaps more earnest
and engaging than he knew, as he re-
piled: "The question is, do you know
what I mcanpn
81 don't believe you know yourself, "
said she, chccrfully.
"Ah, well! if you have as little faith
in my knowledge as that" he be-
gan. just then they were interrupted
by Julian Reed, who approached, cast
ing glance of solicitude at Brcnton,
and Mt once set out to talk emincntly
sane common places by way of an ex-
ample.
In the ensuing weeks Brcnton was
more assiduous than ever. He came to
see Lily Paret as often as he reasonably
could. He danced with her, sent her
flowers, made himself her servant. He
did all the basking in the sunlight of
her presence which is expected from q
young man who is in love. And all the
time old Miss Sarah thought he seemed
to grow stronger, brighter, handsom er
"Lily is his very life!" she exclaimed
rhapsodically in the privacy of her
lonely house, to the Parot diamonds,
which were the only coniidants she had.
Matters went on thus for two months.
Then Brcnton suddenly disappeared.
He was seen no more in club or cafe,
drawing-room or ballroom. Every
body was asking: "What can have be-
come of him?" Old Miss Sarah could
not make it out. Lily's mother inquired
of Julian Reed whether Brenton was i'll.
'Tm afraid he is" said Reed, and he
reproached himself for not having told
somebody about Arthur's insanity.
you're afraid he isP' retorted Mrs.
Paret, Indignantly. ut seems to me
you ought to find out.
Poor Reed excused himself fecbly, and
went of to look for Brenton. But it
happened that tbe very next day Mrs.
Paret. who seldom walked, was on foot
near her own house, and met Arthur
Brenton himself, looking exceedingly
we'll.
"Why, what has become of youp" she
inquired.
'.Nothing," said Arthur. "Ive gone
back to my work as usual"
.What do you meanP"
'1'll tell you," he said. ~ had con-
fined myself too closely. My doctor
said | must throw everything over and
take recreation. He prescribed society.
/ accepted his advice. I've had splcn-
did time, and now I'm all fresh again
for my studies"
"Oh!' Mrs. Paret returned, somewhat
chillingly. I'm glad to hear yon have
such a wise doctor. 1t was heroic treat
ment, but you've survived the dose; SO
it has turned out wcll-for YOU"
"NIy dear Mrs. Paret!' Brentcn ex-
claimed. Don't call it dose. i as
sure You it has been charming expe-
rience."
Thanks" said Mrs. Paret and left
him.
Brenton feared that something had
gone wrong. His own sensations, more
over, confirmed the fear. He was not
comfortable. Somehow in spite of his
refreshed state. electricity did not seem
quite so attractive us formerly.
In short time Lily Paret's renewed
interest in social affairs also relaxed.
With her light brown hair, her delicate
coloring, her graceful, quiet, listening
manner, she was as charming as ever;
but, beyond question, she grew paler
and more inert day by day. The doctor
was summoned Qhe same disconcerning
person who had counseled Brenton).
"Miss Paret," he announced, '.needs a
change-not of scene or air, but of oc-
cupation If she could drop society and
become engrossed in some intellectual
pursuit, l should expect it to do her
great good. But that is hard thing to
manage"
Lily, however, did not think it hard.
She dropped society forthwith for time.
Having had good college training, she
was able TO start off fairly well OH the
prescribed line.
And what branch of study do you
think she chose? Curiously enough,
electricity. In her ardent, feminine way
she chung to it all winter. So that when
Brenion, beginning to feel run down
again, tried the old remedy and plunged
into the "stream Of gayety," he did not
find her there, and promptly plunged
out again. The old remedy was no
longer eflicacious.
lily, in her new occupation, which
was considered by her circle to be un-
duly eccentric, improved little as to
health and cheerfulness; but, as for
Brenton, he felt his powers declining
steadily.
Late in May he attended meeting a
little way out of town, which was to wit
ness some new and rather remarkable
experiments; and, to his surprise, he
found Lily there, too. The tests were
to be made on a somewhat exposed hill,
and the weather being unusually warm,
the uncommon phenomenon of May
thunderstorm was suddenly developed.
This interrupted the business for which
the party had assembled, and they all
hastily sought shelter.
"What has induced you to go into this
studyp" Brenton asked Lily, with whom
he stood apart from the rest in a quiet
nook.
al might ask what has induced youp"
she ssid. ''You were tired of society, l
Jupposo9n