The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1888-06-08
A COMMONPLACE WOMAN.
ssBut the Dearest and BraVost IN
the World"

She was q sehool-teacher spending
the vacation at her brothers by the
sea.
Her brother was keeper of light
house on an island separated from the
mainland By vile. deep channel that
could BE- sw Ring whirlpool when
the storms were high.
Wits wife was n pretty woman. but
she thongat more of her own dainty
comfor. than of how the world went
on. By what charm she won the
warm heart of win Browning. Wits
sister could not determine. but she
was perfectly just. even to those she
disliked, aud she knew the frivolous
little woman must BE- lovable. or VIII
would never have chosen her from
| among her many friends S she met
hrr wi h a kiss. overlo king the un-
welcome expression on her sister-in-
laws fac; and as she was passio l.
stely fond of the sea. the days were
full of pleasure for her
The island was small. but delightful
place in summer the cool breez
sweeping in from the sea. now moist
with he touch of the mist, now warm
from the kiss of the sun; the gray
gulis swarmel over the rocks. calling.
calling; their cries like music TO The
girl weary of the sitting city; the
| ocean a new world; the sky a marvel
of beauty.
Near the tower. and connected with
It by covered passage. was the
| keepers cottage of gray one. rough
| without but c1zy within, and CHEEKY
| light for weary eyes; AMI Carrie
Browning found the summer one Of
happiness. and full of thoughts for all
ler future life.
Ole of her chief pleasures was TO go
With her brother rs the sun was setting
up the winding stone staircase to the
| op of the tower; to stand at the r.it-
ing aad watch the sun settle lower
| and lower beyond the wids sweep of
waters, and then when he was gone
and the heavens glowing with
rose color and al warm tints
If sunset, TO help her brother
| light the great lamps inside the heavy
| glass case. and, turning again to the
sea, 10 watch the darkness, soft and
nysterioas, creep IN and in with the
| gray mists till the tower light was
like the eye of God. never weary, ever
watching.
So the days passed clear and sunny.
with % rain, only the sea mists to
cool the parched earth. uatil vacation
| was gone but for one lingering day;
| and of this day Carrie made the
| most Her trunk was fairly
/ i Il 4
pressed seaweed, with which she
would teach the children IN her care
many wonderful lesson of the life
beyond the city. and the exquisite
works of G d
She had closed down the lid and
| .urned the key with half sigh, hall
smile. saying to her sister-in-law:
Life is to beautiful to live in ono
summer, isn't it, Bella?'
But Bella shrugged her shoulders.
and replied that for her part life was
oefully duh and uneyentful.
Life would be simply unbearable. y
she added. lightly. ''were it not foI
| .hese breaks once in a while" refer
ring to party IN the town across the
channel, that night. to which they al
were invited f'And ] hope VIII vii
not be SO absurd as to LEI the chanct
pass But he is so ridiculous, SO thor
Jughly commonplaee-like you, Car
ie." lfppIing laugh parting her rec
.ips, slhat / can never be sure of hi:
leaving home even half night! Their
IS no sense in his being so particular
No one would object. and Carl. his a
,istant, is perfectly capable of watch
ing The light till our return. OF cours
| he goes sometimes. if it is all fair. bu
| | am never sure of him."
But he never keeps you home, Bella
even If he can not CO." Carrie salo
in defense of her brother. Sure
" you can find no faul
with him tllsrc; and if b
thinks it unsafe for him to leave
he ought 10 know better than we.
isn't his own pleasure he thinks o.
You know, but the lives of others
You are going tonight, of course.
Bella interrupted, carelessly. 'Iol
Williams will be there. and Tom 20
could not disappoina'
I've not decided yet about going,
Carrie replied. quietly, not heedin
the o;har's laughter Il would rathc
listen TO Tho sea ont on the rock
Than to dance the hours away"
Il believe" Bella SAID. sharply
.tEat you prefer being common
place schooa.teacher. than exort you
self enough to be pleasant to ToI
e even though you know he has plen
of money! You and Win are as ne
alike as possible /"
'.An unconscious compliment
me-" Carrie said. softly, warm Jig
on her face. IF am ever as good
woman as Win is man, shall
= satisfied
And she left the room and the hou
with this thought possessing b
mind; that commonplace life m
be beautiful life, if oneibut tries