Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-04-03
A SACRIFICE.

Many years ago nau Ltl6A4s AeA-
Meth Lambert He was younger than
myself, at that time five or SIX and twenty
full Of aspire lions for a better, purer ex-,
istance than the life We lead.
His day dream, cherished for a long
time, was to leave society, and choosing
some retired spot, live there alone with
nature, IN study and contemplation.
'.Talk'' his friends called it when they
heard Of it But Kenneth, through all
his wOrk-and he was no idler-retained
the notion Of this plan. AT last an uneZ-
pected legacy enabled him to leave the
bar and purchase the chosen site for his
new home.
Il was a ruined chapel on the side of a
moor place he had known all his life.
OF the Wayside chapel nothing was left
but an archway. Behind this he had
new walls built, dividing the house into
two rooms, one over the other. When
all was completed he went there. Some
people, L know, thought him mad. His
sisters laughed, saying he would soon be
tired OF his scheme. believe in him.
would gladly have joined him, but man
with a wife and child is not free agent
He cannot retire into a life OF contem-
plation, however much he may wish It,
went to see Kenneth in his new
home. The place was almost inaccessi-
bic. Had not Kenneth met me on the
hilltop and shown me the way over mOOI
and moss I should never have found it
The chapel was in a copse; wild stream
brawled by it. The oak, alder and holly
were restrained by fence from encrOach
ing on the chapel, and marsh plants
thrust their stems through the bars
The nearest house was a farm half {
mile away. Kenneth's bedroom wal
simple, his sitting-room furnished Il
perfect taste. On the walls some tint
etchings, q plaster relief whence smileC
the homely face Of Socrates, on bracke
an image Of Buddha. Between these wa
an engraving Of Dore's Vale OF Tears
Books, too, there were in plenty, and tn
fox terrier-such were Kenneth's com
panions.
sand nature" he said, when I mad
this remark.
"And here it is that you VIII stay IL
peace and quiet" said, ''until you
mission sends you forth?''
peace and quiet?'' he answered
smiling; no, those are not for me, I have
a presentiment that this ideal life vii
not last long. shall marry"
I looked incredulOusly at him. HI
showed me his hand. 1T is writer
here he said; 81 see it only too plainly
Far as it is from nv desires, it Is fated.
For more than six months I hearC
nothing of Kenneth. WeWent for the win
ter to Gorremouth, I and my wife, and L
her our surprise and pleasure found the
Lamberts had the house next our OWL
We had q fat, and on that fiat below III
lived Mrs. Vernay. Mrs. Vernay wa
the belle of TorremOuth, and Justly;
never saw any woman so beautiful. never
shallHI again see. such a face. She was
tall and slight, with a fair skin, blue
eyes shaded with dark lashes, and hel
shapely head crowned with really gold.
en- hair. No art was there; it was all ma.
ture, nature IN her utmost perfection
She was young, a widow, said to bt
enormously rich, but had she been 6
beggar- maid we all should have wor.
shipped her. Young, old, single, married
there were none but what paid homage
ct her shrine.
Frank Lambert was badly bitten by
her charms He was tWO-and-twenty
home for his first long leave. Mrs. Yer.
nay encouraged him more than any Of
the others perhaps being such boy
she looked on him as a safe game.
know that she stole his heart with the
first glance Of her violet eyes, and that
he has never recovered from her inhu.
ance.
We were sitting together one after
noon in the Lambert's drawing room
when Kenneth walked in. TOrremOuth
was not more than ten miles from his
retreat, and be had walked over, not to
pay his mother a passing visit, but "a
stay IL she would have him.
Did any mother ever refuse to receive
her eldest SOM How the girls laughed
at himl declaring their prophecies true
and saying he was weary OF solitude,
j felt little surprised at him. Only one
person preserved her faith In him; this
was Grace Cheslyn, the girls friend, al
most like another sister. She was stay
ing with them, and upheld Kenneth
whatever We might say.
AIRS. Vernay dned that night with
the Lanberts, coming IN like some beau
tlful beng from another world, Jewels
glinting in her dress, and in her hair q
snake that glittered with diamonds and
rubies.
We ell came and paid court to her,
Kenneth included she looked with in
teIssta t him. sayings
.Ahl the Kermit brother / have "a