The Penn's Grove record., 1886-09-04
LILLIAN.

The village had buZzed audlbly over the
news that Jack Murray had come home
from Arizona to marry his old play
mate, Janette Prayn, and had further
more bought an interest in Grayton
Mills, and gone into business with all
his energy. The wedding was arranged
for October, and meanwhile
Yes. He was bound to jeanette.
There was no forgetting or ignoring of
the faet-but Lilian2 HIS heart tugged
at its chain each time she spoke to him
OF looked his way. The silken bond
had become a fetter. Janette was the
Janette he had always known-a wo-
manly presence, gracious and gentle;
but he had come home to find Lillian a
beautiful surprise. Bright, a%udacious,
wilful, almost reckless, she darted
from gayety to gayety like a humming-
bird among roses. A dance here, a
ride there, a midnight row, flowers,
music, little notes of invitation. boxes
of bonbons-from weeks end to weeks
end the bright routine went on; and
Jack, whom it did not II any way con-
Germ, kept up his impatient protest.
Cant you see, Janette, that it is
wrong for you to allow Lillian to go on
in this wayP A girl of sixteen should
not be permitted such entire freedom.
You ought to curb her a little. 1t is
wrong to the child-an injustice. You
stand in the place of a mother"
Jack, dearl As if l possibly could
curb her2"
swell, her father --some DIE ought
to-"
"But she doesn'td do anything wrong.
She likes to be gay-that IS natural;
and these young people about are boys
and girls that have grown up with her
-neighbors and classmates. l do not
see how she possibly could be harmed"
"But she is away from home nearly
every day, and all her evenings are
taken up with Tom, Dick and Harry.
Her " people scarcely get a glimpse
of her,"
"Well, it's vacation new. you know,
and besides, in a little while, when !
am gone, Lillian will have to settle
down. Sc will know the weight CT
care soon enough"
jeanette was smiling tenderly, but she
could not smile away the gloom from
her lovers face.
81 have scarcely patience with you,
jeanette" he said almost angrily. "Set-
tie down? The girl is utterly spoiled
for anything like domestic life. Do
you suppose she will ever fill your place
to your father and the children? 1t was
very unfortunate for her that she was
left without a mother"
Tears filed Janette's eyes. She bit
her lip hard in the effort to restrain
them. Why was Jack always so Sc
we're in his cenSure on Lillian, and
through Lillian on herr Why did he
alone seem to regard with intolerance
this bright young creature whom all
the world loved.
This sad questioning had been grow
ing daily in Janette's meek, loving
heart. Suddenly Jack flung himself
down beside her and kissed her cheek.
Don't be sad, dear. l only meant
that she-that Lillian seems too indie
pendent of US all. and for SO young a
girl-but of course, it is not your fault,
~Janette-and shall I-shall 1 reason
with her2 Do you think it would do
any good2'
HOL IllC lCdot Dlb III buc NOllls veal
but you may try"
Jack did try the very next morning.
jeanette took the children and went
down to the village, to give him an OPP
portunity to deliver his lecture in good
form. He found Lillian dawdling over
a late breakfast, untidy as usual, but
as usual exquisitely clean. Her wrap
per had a torn sleeve that showed the
livery of one rounded arm-her hair was
tumbling from Its silky braids. She
looked like a frcsh-crushed rose.
Jack had dressed himself with I'M
usual care; but, then, he was going up
to the city on business.
swell, Lnianl"
"How nice you lookP" she said. with
a smile, bright and Indifferent. 81 am
so tired. We did not get home till
three this morning. 1 wsltzed my feet
right through my slippers"
"WeP"
George Archer and Harry Chase
came home with ne. Pm sorry Pm SO
very tired. We arranged to go up to
Eag,e Rock this afternoon. l don't
see how l can"
81 don't see how you can" He had
walked away TO the window, but now
came back and seated himself near her,
at the breakfast table.
"You are "a puzzle to me, Lillian"
"a puzzle am II VIII you have
some coffee. 1t isn't very warm, Why
am | a puzzle, Jack2"
"Well, not a puzzle, either; only, it
seems strange you are so different from
Janette."
"Should you wish me to be more like
her?" she asked, with a curious half.
smile, balancing a spoon carefully on
the edge Of her empty cup.
"In one respect yes. Janette would
not spend her time romplng about with
q crowd Of Insignificant young men, for
example"
"Bnt l am a very insignificant per-
son." she retorted, calmly.
"You Will let yourself become insig-
~niHcsnt." he said, gravely. You are