Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-12-19

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 bask-
ing in the sunshine of her presence which
is expected from young man who is in
love. And all the time old Miss Sarah
thought he seemed to grow stronger,
brighter handsomer.
Lily is his very lifei" she exclaimed
rhapsodically, in the privacy of her lonely
house, to the Paret diamonds, which were
the only conidants she had.
Matters went on thus for two months.
Then Brenton suddenly disappeared. He
room or ballroom. Everybody was ask
ing, What can have become of him.
Old Miss Sarah could not make it ont
LiIy's mother inquired of Julian Reed
whether Brenton was i'll. Pm afraid he
isl said Reed and he reproached himself
for not having told somebody about Ar
thurs insanity.
you're afraid he is?" retorted Mrs.
Paret, indignantly. Il seems TO me you
ought to find out
Poor Reed excused himself feebly, and
and went off to look for Brenton. But it
happened that the very next day Mrs.
Paret, who seldom walked, was on foot
near her own house, and met Arthur Bren-
ton himself, looking exceedingly well.
why, what has become of you9" she
inquired.
Nothing" said Arthur. I've gone
back TO my work, as usual
What do you mean ?'
"Tll tell you" he said " l had confined
myself too closely My doctor said must
throw everything over and take recreation.
He prescribed society. l accepted his ad-
vice. I've had splendid time, and now
I'm all fresh again for my studies"
"Oh y Mrs. Paret returned, somewhat
ehillingly. I'm glad TO hear you have
such wise doctor 1t was heroic treat.
ment, but you've survived the dose; so it
has turned out well-for you"
My dear Mrs. Paret!" Brenton ex-
claimed. Don't call it q dose. l assure
you it has been a charming experience"
Thanks" said Mrs. Paret, and left him
Brenton feared that something had gone
wrong. His own sensations, moreover, con-
firmed the fear. He was not comfoytable.
Somehow, in spite of his refreshed state,
electricity did not seem quite SC attractive
as formerly.
In a short time Lily Paret's renewed in
terest in social affairs also relaxed. With
her hght-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
lthe same discerning person who had coun-
seled Brenton). Miss Paret" he an
nounced, needs change-not of scene or
air. but of occupation. If she could drop
society and become engrossed in some in
tellectual pursuit, should expect it 10 do
her great good. But that is hard thing to
manage"
Lily, however, did not think it hard.
She dropped society forthwith for a time.
Having had a good college training, she
was able to start off fairly well on the pre-
scribed line.
And what branch of study do you think
she chose? Curiously enough, electricity.
In her ardent, feminine way she chung to
Ii all winter. So that when Brenton, be-
ginning 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 efficacious.
Lily, in her new occupation, which was
considered by her circle to be unduly &c
centric, improved little as to health and
cheerfulness but, as for Brenton, he felt
his powers declining steadily.
Late in May he attended a meeting q lit
tie way out Of town, which was to witness
some new and rather remarkable expert
ments, and, TO his surprise, he found Lily
there, too. The tests were to be made on
somewhat exposed hill, and the weather
being unusually warm, the uncomon phe-
nomenon Of a May thunderstorm was sud
denly developed This interrupted the
business for Which the party had assem-
bled, and they all hastily sought shelter.
l1GlPpH n 40 int &c
study ~ Brenton asked Lily, with whom
he stood apart from the rest in a quiet
nook
. might ask what has induced you p
she said. You were tired of society,
SUPPOSE"
" No. No-that is-never of you, Miss
Paret. l am tired of myself
And you have kept away from us so
long because you thought we might get to
have the same feeling about you ?n Lily in
quired with arch severity
Brenton felt some kind of a current
rushing through his heart with more
electro-motive volts than he had ever
measured. "If dared to believe" he be-
gan, impulsively.- that you would not
tire of me"
At this instant violent burst Of thunder
drowned his voice. . . The expected
tests did not take place, on account OF an
electrical disturbance of the atmosphere, .
as it was explained
The disturbance extended to Julian Reed
when he heard of Brenton's engagement to
Lily. Why the deuce didn't | speak
before?' be said to himself. But Brenton
was quite satisfied with the days expert
ment. The exchange of positive and
negative forces in our lives" he plavfulIv
observed to Lily, was a great success. b
And old Miss Sarah, having received the
news from both of them, smiled tenderly
upon her confidential diamonds, and put
Arthur Brenton into her will.-fGeorge
Parsons Lathrop, in New York Star.