Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-11-05


II was reception night at the house of q
prominent oificial. Everybody would be
there-the everybody OF political aud fash
ionable society, at least-and she eNwould GO
with the hope of meeting Robert Moore.
She made her toilet with special regard 10
his taste I'm such matters, as she remembered
il. He hau told her that no other flower be-
came her so well as scarlet carnations.
Therefore, she would wear no other flower
tonight. She stood before the glass and won
dered IL no would find that the years had
changed her much. The first flush OF
womanhood's beauty had disappeared, but
there was beauty there still OF cold,
stately kind, which the thought OF meeting
her old lover again softerod wonderfully.
~ have not looked so well for a long
time" she said, as she shook out the rich
folds of her dress, and adjusted the scarlet
flowers I'm her hair and at her throat. John
Marsh's diamonds flashed on her hands, but
their glitter did not have the fascination for
her now that they had possessed five years
ago.
She stood among the throng in tho par
lors, waiting and watching, with q
color Ia her checks that rivalOd
the carnations she wore. y. Her hear,
beat fast with strangely pleasant excite
ment. She was fascinated by the thou9 hit
that he was somewhere near her. She
seemed to feel his presence. Time had
strengthened her love for him. she thought,
with Il smile ut the brilliant woman the
mirror reflected as she passed it.
A lite later she saw Robert Moore come
in. There was woman on his arm, sweet
faced happy-eyed woman, with pure valley
lilies nesting among their own green leaves
on her shining yellow hair aud the lace
upon her breast. She looked as fair, as
pure, as the flowers she wore. Catherine
Marsh started, and the color died out of her
face. Could IL be that he had FORGOTTEN her
M Ui 10 ~
hatred toward the woman on his arm took
posses sion of her. What right had she-had
any one-to come between them? Had he
not loved her years ago? Did she not love
him now? The wealth she had sold herself
for she was ready to lay at his feet, and cry,
"Take It'll 1t parted us once. but now 1t
shall be ours-yours and mne-and love
shall be ours, too /"
~ see that Senator Moore has arrived {"
she said to a friend. "Who is that woman
with himl His wife?"
The last two words cost her a great effort.
They seemed to stab her.
~ never heard of his having wife," was
the reply. " But, now that come TO think
of 1t, did hear some one say that his cousin
and her mother were to live with him this
winter. This IS PROBABLY the cousin. Very
sweet, isn't shey Quite like Madonna, with
that yellow hair and those blue eyes"
Catherine Marsh gave a sigh of relief. He
had told her of cousin who had always
been like a sister TO him, This was that
cousin, without doubt.
She watched him as he moved among the
crowd. He had changed much in the five
years that had passed since she last saw him.
His face had q stronger look in 1t. 1t told
of energy of purpose and high aims. HIS
eyes had grave thoughtfulness in them,
which was relieved by a smile that was win
ming IN its beauty-a smile that q woman
mig hit have envIed, for it lighted up his face
like sunshine.
Watching MIN, the woman's heart forgot
the intervening years and took up the old,
sweet dream of love where it had been
broken Off by the choice she made.
By and by they met.
She held out her hand in eager welcome,
saying:
'sYou have not forgotten me, have youf''
He could not mistake the look on her face
for anything but pleasure.
"No, 4 do not forget faces easily nc said,
as their hands met. But he said IL gravely.
There was not the pleasure in his voice she
had hoped to hear.
II am so glad to meet you again." she said.
"Let me congratulate you on your brilliant
success"
''Thank you," he answered.. 81 have
worked hard, and not all in vain, and think
/ have earned my success. l prefer to think
that rather than that it was thrust upon me. -
''How time has changed us since-slnce we
met last" she said, with a little flush that
was partly shame, partly embarrassment,
rising to her cheek. Something in his grave,
steady glance disconnected her.
"Five years could not go by without max
ing changes OF some sort in us, he answered,
ms they passed into the conservatory. "Your
husband is dead, l Think
''les, sne answered, "he died year ago.
They sat down under an acacia, and talk
cd of ordinary things, at first. He did not
seem inclined to venture on the subject
tal hn.,
haps," she thought. "he is too proud to talk
of the old days until l acknowledge that
was wron ="
"Robert," she said, suddenly-"I may call
you that, may / not, for the sake of our old
friendship want to tell you that made a
great mistake when-when ! married John
Marsh. / was to blame :or all that both OF
us suffered in consequence of the choice
made. Will you forgive meI'
81 forgave you long ago." he said, gravely.
'0h. that was so good, so kind OF you,
she said. II thought, or tried TO make my
self think, that was doing what was for the
best But l found out what mistake
made when il was too late. If il was all 10
do over again, Robert, would make diff
ferent choice"
Her face was full of a strongly appealing
look. She was so much in earnest that she
forgot she was speaking unwomanly words.
1t was her heart crying out for the ha ppincss
1t had starved for so long.
"Do not say anything more" he said, ris-
ing; ''you might say something you would
regret. The woman loved in the old days
is dead. That woman died when found out
how you had deceived me. Perhaps shall
always keep little tender memory in my
heart for the woman loved, who was true;
but for the woman who bore her name after
she died have only pity"
Catherine Marshs face grew white as II
will be when she is dead. She tried TO speak,
but no words came.
II am afraid that ! came near doubling
the truth and sincerity OF all women FOR
awhile after / found out how ono woman
had deceived me-" no said, "but ] have
found out that there are true women in tho
world. and this is one of them"
Catherine Marsh looked up. The sweet
faced woman was standing at his side with
her hand i'm his.
"This is my wife," he said softly. "Alice
this Is Mrs. Marsh. whom ] knew years age
wi en- she was Mss Warneld. j have told
you about our friendship and its sudden
death"
Then he bent and kissed the face of the
woman at his side. That was the cruelcsi
stab of all for Catherine Marsh, though he
did 1t without a thought of her. She shut
her lips tiyhtly together to keep back cry
OF pam. Then she turned and walked away,
At tho door she paused. as the first woman
might when the gate of Eden was closing
behind her, and gave one last look back
ward. His eyes were on the face OF tho
swoetfaced woman who was smiling UP al
him in love and trust.
Then she went out, and the door closed be
hind her on Paradise.
------
Artistic Weeping.