Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-04-03
A SACRIFICE.

Many years ago had friend, Ken
meth Lambert. He was younger thar
myself, at that time five or six and twenty
full of aspirations 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 unex-
pected legacy enabled him to leave the
bar ana purchase the chosen site for his
new home.
1t was ruined chapel on the side of a
moor-a 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, know, thought him mad. His
sisters laughed, saying he would soon be
tired OF his scheme. 1 believe in him. 1
would gladly have joined him, but man
with wife and child is not free agent.
He cannot retire into life of contem-
plation, however much he may wish it..
I went to see Kenneth in his new
home. The place was almost inaccessi-
BILE. Had not Kenneth met me on the
hilltop and shown me the way over moor
and moss should never have found it.
The chapel was in 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 farm half a
mile away. Kenneth's bedroom was
simple, his sitting room furnished in
perfect taste. On the walls some fine
etchings, plaster relief whence smiled
the homely face of Socrates, on bracket
an image of Buddha. Between these was
an engraving of Dore's Vale of Tears.
Books, too, there were in plenty, and the
fox terrier-such were Kenneth's CON-
panions.
sand nature" he said, when I made
this remark.
sand here it is that you will stay in
peace and quiet" I said, 'until your
mission sends you forthF'
ssPeace and quiet?' he answered,
smiling; no, those are not for me, have
a presentiment that this ideal life will
not last long. I shall marry"
I looked incredulously at him. He
showed me his hand. ut is written
here" he said; 81 see it only too plainly.
Far IS it is from my desires, it is fated."
For more than six months heard
nothing Of Kenneth. Wewent for the win
ter to Torremouth, and my wife, and to
her our surprise and pleasure found the
Lamberts had the house next our own
We had fat, and on that fat below us
lived Mrs. vernay. Mrs. Vernay was
the belle of Torremouth, and justly; I
never saw any woman so beautiful, never
shall II again see such face. She was
tall and slight, with fair skin, blue
ewes shaded with dark lashes, and her
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, q WIDOW, sala 10 oe
enormously rich, but had she been a
beggar-maid we all should have wor-
shipped her. Young, old, single, married,
there were none but what paid homage
at 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 a boy
she looked on him as a safe game. I
know that she stole his heart with the
first glance of her violet eyes. and that
he has never recovered from her infiu-
ence.
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 he had walked over, not to
nav his mother passing visit, but to
atsy IL she would have him.
Did any mother ever refuse to receive
her eldest sonf How the girls laughed